The BIG American
Problem
Obesity is a "leading
cause of preventable death," according to a recent study, which
reports that the increasing prevalence of obesity runs counter to
overall mortality trends in many developed countries, which have
fallen over the last 20 years. According to the study, obesity
affects nearly one in every three people in the United States, where
it is expected to overtake smoking as the leading cause of
preventable death. It notes, however, that the epidemic is no longer
confined to developed countries: in the developing world the
prevalence is around 5 percent, and is expected to increase in the
future.
With links to
cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and many types of
cancer, obesity is now a major public health concern world wide.
Recent estimates put the prevalence of obesity in the developed
world at around 10% to 20% for men and 10% to 25% for women. In the
United States and United Kingdom, obesity has increased two to
threefold in the last 20 years and other developed countries show
similar patterns of increase. Obesity is not, however, confined to
these countries. In the developing world, the prevalence of obesity
is around 5% and is expected to rise in the future.
The problem is particularly acute amongst the younger generation,
where the overweight child population is on the rise. In the United
States, the number and prevalence of obese children aged six to 11
has doubled over the past two decades.
The increasing
prevalence of obesity has financial implications for consumers of
life insurance products and society as a whole. Ronald Klein, Global
Head of Pricing at Swiss Re's Life & Health Business Group,
explained: "Obesity usually stems from a lifestyle choice. Society
has dealt with smoking through a variety of measures including
education and persuasion. Confronting obesity is now an equally
pressing task, calling for a combined and determined effort from all
parties. Governments, the medical profession, food manufacturers and
consumers - particularly parents - need to be alert to this emerging
risk and to play a role in confronting it. Unless the prevalence of
obesity is brought under control, consumers will bear the ultimate
cost. As consumers' Body Mass Index goes up, so too will their
premiums," he warned.
In adults, the
prevalence of obesity is more acute in women than in men, and it is
becoming more common in children and adolescents. If this trend is
left unchecked, it will have negative consequences for adult health
and mortality in the future. The problem is also more widespread
amongst the lower socio-economic groups in the developed world.
Responsibility for addressing concerns relating to obesity involves
a combined and determined effort from all stakeholders: governments,
food manufacturers and, ultimately, consumers themselves. |
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