While people have the desire to lose weight for many reasons, whether it's to look better in their clothes, lose weight for a special event, feel better about themselves or simply because their doctor told them to, there are plenty of other reasons to lose weight as well.
When you think about being overweight or obese, people rarely consider the financial and emotional stress it puts on their family. You may think what you eat and how you live is your business. You think that you aren't hurting anyone but yourself. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Maybe you've ignored your family's pleas to lose weight and regain your health. The truth is, however, that obesity is a costly disease and you aren't the only one to pay the consequences.
Obesity is Reflected in Health Care Costs
As much as 10% of the medical bills in the United States can be traced back to obesity, according to an ABC News report. Obesity-related illnesses include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome and early death. These conditions account for $147 billion per year. Hospitals and physicians also pay more for larger pieces of equipment, like lifts, wheelchairs and cat scans.
As much as 10% of the medical bills in the United States can be traced back to obesity, according to an ABC News report. Obesity-related illnesses include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome and early death. These conditions account for $147 billion per year. Hospitals and physicians also pay more for larger pieces of equipment, like lifts, wheelchairs and cat scans.
Furthermore, according to Cawley and Meyerhoefer at Cornell University, being obese is comparable to smoking. It is a self-inflicted disease that can be managed with the right help. An obese person can expect to pay an average of 42% more than the average person in health care costs. If you are unable to work, this places additional stress on your family members.
The Burden Obesity Places on Your Family
If you can't lose weight for yourself, do it for your family. The burden that obesity places on your family is overwhelming at times. Your loved ones feel the emotional burden because they don't want to see you suffering or putting yourself at risk for serious diseases or early death. They may get tired or pleading their case for you to lose weight and take control over your health. They might also feel shame or blame themselves, in part, because they have provided you with unhealthy foods or enabled you in some way.
If you can't lose weight for yourself, do it for your family. The burden that obesity places on your family is overwhelming at times. Your loved ones feel the emotional burden because they don't want to see you suffering or putting yourself at risk for serious diseases or early death. They may get tired or pleading their case for you to lose weight and take control over your health. They might also feel shame or blame themselves, in part, because they have provided you with unhealthy foods or enabled you in some way.
Aside from not wanting to lose you, it's also a financial stress on your family members. It is expensive to be hospitalized, to treat obesity-related diseases and to bury an obese person. These are all things that weigh on the mind of family members who struggle to come to terms with the reality of the situation While you may feel alone and binge to fill a void, your family experiences pain over your actions as well. It's unfair to put your children or parents in that position.
Getting started on a sustainable weight loss plan isn't easy, but it can be done. The first step is to ask for help and take baby steps in the right direction towards regaining your health. Many times, family members can become your support group once they see you putting forth the effort to lose weight.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7298002
No comments:
Post a Comment