“Almonds are Expensive, but so is Diabetes.”
- The cost analysis of eating well now, versus paying the price for obesity-related disease later.
The obesity epidemic is worldwide and growing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, statistics from 2008 show over 30.8% of adults are considered obese in America. Not only is our obesity rate growing, but the consequences of such epidemic are numerous. Obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, have dramatically risen. The World Health Organization states that over 220 million people worldwide have diabetes, and estimated that 3.4 million deaths in 2004 were caused by the consequences of high blood sugar. Even more alarming, the WHO predict this fatality number to double between 2005 and 2030. If current trends continue, as many as 1 in 3 U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050. Not only will the scale number be growing, but medical costs will be as well. By the CDC’s data of 2008, obesity-related medical care costs were estimated to be as high as $147 billion!
Why is this happening? What is causing such escalating percentages in obesity? Well, there are numerous factors at play here, but, there is a silver lining – we can control and prevent the risk of obesity-related diseases and rising medical costs with proper diet and physical activity. A healthy lifestyle is nothing to take for granted. Most of us know that it is essential to eat well and exercise to maintain a healthy weight and prevent future obesity-related illnesses. Unfortunately, a typical phrase has arisen in our society: that eating healthy is too expensive. In our current economic hard times, Americans tend to find cheaper, yet less nutritious produce more appealing than forking out a little extra cash for the most beneficial and healthy food. But, eating nutritiously well does not have to be expensive. Even more so, following a healthy diet can be of great advantage to your overall lifespan and wallet, especially when considering the long-term costs of medical bills that can result from unhealthy habits. Spending a few extra bucks on healthy choices now can save you thousands in the future and improve your health in the long-run.
When your budget is low, eating healthy can be difficult. But, with a little pre-planning and shopping strategy, it is possible for low budgets to afford nutritious foods. To start, plan ahead before hitting the grocery store: formulate your shopping budget and stick to it; recognize the costs of food items from produce to meats; make note of what you already have in your fridge and pantry at home; plan out a week’s worth of meals so that you know what foods will be essential to purchase, and don’t forget that leftovers can be used for new meals too. Organizing a shopping plan is a great tool to stay on track when grocery shopping. Another great tip is try to get back to the basics and essentials. Pre-cooked or packaged meals tend to be more expensive and less nutritious. Though it may take more time to prepare a meal out of basics, rather than heating up a frozen entrée, think about the health advantages and dollar savings that result. Fresh produce is key to a healthy diet, but can also be quite costly. So, remember to buy in-season fruits and vegetables, which are much less expensive than imported, out-of season items. Also, buying frozen or canned packages of fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious, last longer, and help you stay within your budget. You can even check out the local fruit and vegetable stands in your area, which tend to have in-season picks and reasonable prices. When shopping for grains, always choose the nutritious whole wheat or whole grain options. You can purchase large packages of essential meal items, such as whole wheat pasta, brown rice, oatmeal, dried beans, or whole grain pancakes, which are at reasonable prices and last a long pantry life. To add protein, always choose lean meats and poultry for your diet, and remember that protein sources also include great alternatives such as eggs, tofu, beans, nuts, and dairy. If it’s reasonable for your budget, buy in bulk and don’t forget the freezer. By this, you can save money and food by freezing unused items, such as meats, fish, and bread, extending their future use and appealing to your budget. If it’s within your price range, try to buy as much natural or organic produce, dairy, and meats, to benefit your health. Yes, organics tend to be a bit more expensive, but they can be more advantageous for your diet. Overall, just remember to organize before shopping, get back to basics and essentials, and avoid pre-packaged and processed junk, all to help you eat healthy on a budget.
So, is it really rewarding to follow these shopping strategies instead of our less healthy habits of cheap, poor diets? YES. In a 2006 study by the Journal of Nutrition, patients switched from a traditional western diet of high fats and sugar, to a Mediterranean diet of vegetables, fruits, and omega-3 fats. The cost result: the healthy switch only cost them $10 more a month! Reviewing the data gathered by the CDC, statistics from 2006 show that obese people spent $1,400 more in medical care costs than those at a normal, healthy weight. Several medical studies have proven that unhealthy diets are a major contributor to long-term diseases, and that eating whole, nutritious produce can reduce the risks of acquiring these chronic and costly medical problems. The dramatically growing percentage of obesity has made a huge and negative influence on health, as shown in the increasing numbers of Americans diagnosed with diabetes. In recent news from the American Diabetes Association, the CDC estimated that nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, and 79 million adults have pre-diabetes. The numbers continue to grow, and it is important that we begin to exercise healthy and active lifestyles to prevent the obesity percentage and resulting chronic diseases from rising. Making changes to include regular exercise into your daily routine and following a healthy and wholesome diet are the simplest and most effective ways to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risks of high medical costs in the future.
When it comes down to it, establishing a healthy diet and lifestyle now may cost you a couple extra bucks a month, but could save you thousands in medical costs in the future. A nutritious diet does wonders for your health, and it is a lifestyle factor never to be taken for granted.
Sources and references used:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Diabetes Surveillance System.
Available online at: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/DDTSTRS/default.aspx. Retrieved 2/21/2011.
2. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/
3. http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r101022.html
4. http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/obesity.htm
5. medicalcenter.osu.edu/PatientEd/…/nut…/EatingHealthyBudget.pdf
6. http://www.healthcastle.com/grocery_healthy_budget.shtml
7. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-01-23-diabetes-cost_N.htm
8. http://www.diabetes.org/news-research/news/diabetes-in-the-news/number-of-americans-with.html
9. www.stfm.org/fmhub/fm2010/April/Andrew280.pdf
10. http://www.fitnessgoop.com/2010/10/the-high-cost-of-eating-unhealthy/
http://www.jneb.org/
