Introduction:
The following is an analysis of the various effects of obesity, the research study by Colman, G. (2011) on depression and obesity is used in this paper to highlight the various impacts of obesity on the economy. Other studies analyzed include Levine (2010) on the morbidity, mortality and economic losses associated with obesity, the other article is by Greenberg (2003) that analyses the relationship between obesity, heart disease and hypertension.
The research question in this paper is the impacts of obesity on the economy. The importance of this research question is that it will help in identifying the high costs associated with obesity, it will also shows the relationship between obesity and other health conditions that are likely to affect obese individuals. The paper analyses previous journal articles to highlight these effects, statistics are used to show the extent of costs and losses associated with obesity.
The impacts:
Obesity leads to a loss of existing work force, and this is because it has contributed to high mortality rates. According to Colman, G. (2011), approximately 100,000 to 400,000 deaths each year are obesity related. The other reason is that obesity is associated with various diseases that then reduce the productivity of workers in the economy. Productivity will decline as more and more workers seek treatment for diseases associated with obesity, such diseases included heart disease and hypertension.
Obesity increases the cost of health care, and this is because various diseases such as hypertension and heart diseases are associated with depression. Colman, G. (2011) estimates the associated cost of obesity to be $100 billion per year. Another estimate by Colman, G. (2011) showed that increased health care cost amount to $140 to $215 billion per year.
Obesity causes a decline in productivity, and this is because economic depressions are caused by a decline in productivity. Colman, G. (2011) state that severe depressions in the US are caused by reduced productivity. Another reason is that the proportion of individuals who are obese has increased, according to Colman, G. (2011) the obese adult proportion increased from 17% to 34% in the year 1980 to 2000, and the children obese proportion increased 3 times in the same period. This means a decline in the health of the workforce reducing productivity.
The cost of heath associated with obesity increases due to increased cases of depression, and this is because depression is associated with obesity. Colman, G. (2011) shows that, obesity is associated with depression and diagnosis of depression during an individual’s lifetime and this leads to increased health care costs. However, a study by Colman, G. (2011) shows that obesity is associated with increased depression cases in female participants whereas it is associated with reduced cases of depression in male participants, He also highlights that this association is only strong among college graduates. Colman, G. (2011) supports this relationship by stating that although this relationship is modest, it is significant. Given that this relationship is significant, then this warrants the possibility increased depression cases with increased obesity rates.
A decline in efficiency in the economy is also associated with obesity, and this is because obesity is associated with mental health and mood disorder. Physical activities are likely to reduce cases of obesity, according to Colman, G. (2011) mood disorders reduces the possibility of individuals engaging in physical activities.
There is sufficient evidence in this paper by Colman, G. (2011) showing that there are numerous impacts of obesity on the economy, the supporting literature and results clearly shows that there are huge costs associated with obesity. This article is related to the research question in that it analyses the impacts of obesity on health and costs associated with obesity.
Conclusion:
The above analysis shows the various costs associated with obesity, from the above Obesity leads to a loss of existing work force, and this is dues to high mortality rates due to obesity prevalence where approximately 100,000 to 400,000 deaths each year are obesity related.
Productivity also decline as more and more workers seek treatment for diseases such as heart disease that are associated with obesity.
Obesity increases the cost of health care, and one of the reasons is that obesity increases the risk of diseases such as hypertension, which in turn increase costs of health. This cost is estimated at $140 to $215 billion per year each year. The number of obese individuals is expected to increase resulting into increased health costs and declined productivity in future, for the period 1980 to 2000 the prevalence rate increased two times and three times among children.
Reference:
Colman, G. and etal. “Isolating the Effect of Major Depression on Obesity: Role of Selection Bias”. Mental Health Policy and Economics Journal. Vol. 14, no. 4, (2011): pp 165 to pp 186.
