How fat is your state?

[Mmac]

Might this have ANYTHING to do with the fact that health care costs have skyrocketed over the last few decades

Of course it has something to do with it, but it is not the primary explanation. You see, Ragu, its not just amount of healthcare demanded that has increased, its the real dollars price of the SAME healthcare that has spiraled way beyond the rate of inflation. The exact same treatment, care, and medications will cost immensely more here than anywhere else in the world, and immensely more in adjusted dollars here than they did years ago.

That's not because there's more obese people getting sick and demanding healthcare, its because of a health care system that seems to have been set up with its highest priority not being the people's access to health care but instead maximizing the profit margins of pharmaceutical companies, medical providers, HMOs, and lawyers.

 

[Flying Headbutt]

Well it does seem that the ones who want universal care, in general, are in states that are in the best shape. That could mean that they're paying the most and getting the least in return, since their costs go up even though they don't often use the system.

The most of malpractice insurance is also playing a role in the costs going up, but that's something the trial lawyers never want to see addressed because any fix to the system will likely involve capping that magical pain and suffering price.

And of course, illegal immigration plays a role too.

 

[RedSmithClone]

So am I just totally out of it, or did Puerto Rico, Mexico or Canada all of a sudden become a state in the Union?

How is Colorado 51?

 

[sportschick]

I'm guessing D.C. was counted by itself. I haven't seen the complete list to know though.

 

[RedSmithClone]

I'm guessing D.C. was counted by itself. I haven't seen the complete list to know though.

Ahhhh haaaa. You could be on to something there. I always thought U were the smarty pants of this message board!

 

[sportschick]

If it was after 8, I'd accuse you of being drunk! You are in a way good mood today.

 

[jboy]

....And of course, illegal immigration plays a role too.

Actually, there was a study done that because illegal immigrants pay so many other non-income tax taxes, they actually contribute more to the "system" than they take out. Or at the very least, it's close to breaking even. They don't qualify for medicare, medicaid, social security, etc.. The whole idea that "they don't pay taxes" is irrelevent because, considering a majority are living below the poverty level, they would actually pay very little in income taxes or most would probably qualify for some type of refund since they would get tax breaks for children, dependents and other stuff.

On the other hand, they contribute hundreds of billions of dollars to the economy as consumers.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Might this have ANYTHING to do with the fact that health care costs have skyrocketed over the last few decades

Of course it has something to do with it, but it is not the primary explanation. You see, Ragu, its not just amount of healthcare demanded that has increased, its the real dollars price of the SAME healthcare that has spiraled way beyond the rate of inflation. The exact same treatment, care, and medications will cost immensely more here than anywhere else in the world, and immensely more in adjusted dollars here than they did years ago.

That's not because there's more obese people getting sick and demanding healthcare, its because of a health care system that seems to have been set up with its highest priority not being the people's access to health care but instead maximizing the profit margins of of pharmaceutical companies, medical providers, HMOs, and lawyers.

We have diabetes and heart disease epidemics on our hands. The number of people with type 2 (i.e. preventable if you aren't so fat) diabetes has increased by 86 percent in the last decade alone. That is mind numbing to think about. 21 million people with a serious disease because they have allowed themselves to get fat and sedentary. The costs have been placed by some at $92 billion a year in direct medical costs, and another $40 billion in indirect costs (loss of work, disability, death). Quibble with the exact number, but it is billions of dollars a year that are taxing the health care system in more than just the obvious dollars sense. There are a lot of things overwhelming our health care system and there are many of the inefficiencies you pointed out, which drive up costs. But you are wrong. The fact that Americans take worse care of themselves than ever and we have become an obese nation IS a primary reason we can't afford to take better care of more people. If people weren't so fat, and they didn't smoke and partake in other harmful behaviors, they wouldn't need to rely on expensive medical care and state of the art advances to keep them alive. And the people with serious uncontrollable diseases wouldn't be being burdened--and in many cases squeezed out--to the extent they are, by the crisis being created by the people who require what should be unnecessary health care.

 

[GB-Hack]

Louisiana is number 4 or something, but I think that whole obesity epidemic is stupid. Sure, there are a ton of overweight people in this country, but using that stupid-ass BMI (body mass index) to determine overweightness/obesity is flat out ridiculous. Need proof? I give you a few examples via the New Orleans Saints football roster and their respective BMI:

key - BMI of 18.5 or lower is underweight
BMI of 18.5-24.9 is normal weight
BMI of 25.0-29.9 is overweight
BMI of 30 or higher is obese

Kicker Olindo Mare (5-11, 190) -- BMI of 26.5 (overweight)
QB Drew Brees (6-0, 209) -- BMI of 28.3 (overweight, bordering obese)
WR Marques Colston (6-4, 231) -- BMI of 28.1 (overweight)
RB Reggie Bush (6-0, 203) -- BMI of 27.5 (overweight)
RB Deuce McAllister (6-1, 232) -- BMI of 30.2 (OBESE)
FB Mike Karney (5-11, 258) -- BMI of 36 (OBESE)
LB Mark Simoneau (6-0, 245) -- BMI of 33.2 (OBESE)
LB Dhani Jones (6-1, 240) -- BMI of 31.7 (OBESE)

Now, notice I didn't even include any linemen, because if Reggie Bush is overweight and Deuce is obese, then what the hell do you think Charles Grant or Hollis Thomas is?

There may be a problem in this country with people not being healthy, but using BMI to determine what percentage of the population is overweight/obese skews things.

He always struck me as a fatty. But then I'm taller and weigh less.

 

[Ace]

Might this have ANYTHING to do with the fact that health care costs have skyrocketed over the last few decades

Of course it has something to do with it, but it is not the primary explanation. You see, Ragu, its not just amount of healthcare demanded that has increased, its the real dollars price of the SAME healthcare that has spiraled way beyond the rate of inflation. The exact same treatment, care, and medications will cost immensely more here than anywhere else in the world, and immensely more in adjusted dollars here than they did years ago.

That's not because there's more obese people getting sick and demanding healthcare, its because of a health care system that seems to have been set up with its highest priority not being the people's access to health care but instead maximizing the profit margins of of pharmaceutical companies, medical providers, HMOs, and lawyers.

We have diabetes and heart disease epidemics on our hands. The number of people with type 2 (i.e. preventable if you aren't so fat) diabetes has increased by 86 percent in the last decade alone. That is mind numbing to think about. 21 million people with a serious disease because they have allowed themselves to get fat and sedentary. The costs have been placed by some at $92 billion a year in direct medical costs, and another $40 billion in indirect costs (loss of work, disability, death). Quibble with the exact number, but it is billions of dollars a year that are taxing the health care system in more than just the obvious dollars sense. There are a lot of things overwhelming our health care system and there are many of the inefficiencies you pointed out, which drive up costs. But you are wrong. The fact that Americans take worse care of themselves than ever and we have become an obese nation IS a primary reason we can't afford to take better care of more people. If people weren't so fat, and they didn't smoke and partake in other harmful behaviors, they wouldn't need to rely on expensive medical care and state of the art advances to keep them alive. And the people with serious uncontrollable diseases wouldn't be being burdened--and in many cases squeezed out--to the extent they are, by the crisis being created by the people who require what should be unnecessary health care.

And how do you feel about drug companies using the airwaves to pitch drugs to people to create demand for something they don't even need?

Doesn't that raise costs for everyone, too?

Or do you just say Viva Viagra?

 

[Oggiedoggie]

We're sitting (and I do mean sitting) tied at ninth place for fattest.

But I think we can do better. If you roll lard in bread crumbs do you think that it might be possible to deep-fry it?

Go state! Beat Mississippi!

 

[The Big Ragu]

Might this have ANYTHING to do with the fact that health care costs have skyrocketed over the last few decades

Of course it has something to do with it, but it is not the primary explanation. You see, Ragu, its not just amount of healthcare demanded that has increased, its the real dollars price of the SAME healthcare that has spiraled way beyond the rate of inflation. The exact same treatment, care, and medications will cost immensely more here than anywhere else in the world, and immensely more in adjusted dollars here than they did years ago.

That's not because there's more obese people getting sick and demanding healthcare, its because of a health care system that seems to have been set up with its highest priority not being the people's access to health care but instead maximizing the profit margins of of pharmaceutical companies, medical providers, HMOs, and lawyers.

We have diabetes and heart disease epidemics on our hands. The number of people with type 2 (i.e. preventable if you aren't so fat) diabetes has increased by 86 percent in the last decade alone. That is mind numbing to think about. 21 million people with a serious disease because they have allowed themselves to get fat and sedentary. The costs have been placed by some at $92 billion a year in direct medical costs, and another $40 billion in indirect costs (loss of work, disability, death). Quibble with the exact number, but it is billions of dollars a year that are taxing the health care system in more than just the obvious dollars sense. There are a lot of things overwhelming our health care system and there are many of the inefficiencies you pointed out, which drive up costs. But you are wrong. The fact that Americans take worse care of themselves than ever and we have become an obese nation IS a primary reason we can't afford to take better care of more people. If people weren't so fat, and they didn't smoke and partake in other harmful behaviors, they wouldn't need to rely on expensive medical care and state of the art advances to keep them alive. And the people with serious uncontrollable diseases wouldn't be being burdened--and in many cases squeezed out--to the extent they are, by the crisis being created by the people who require what should be unnecessary health care.

And how do you feel about drug companies using the airwaves to pitch drugs to people to create demand for something they don't even need?

Doesn't that raise costs for everyone, too?

Or do you just say Viva Viagra?

I don't have any need to try to obscure one bad, stupid thing by saying it doesn't matter because there is another bad, stupid thing contributing to a problem. This thread was about obesity. I made a point about the strain obesity puts on our health care system. It seemed like a more relevant point than "hey, let's just forget the billions it is costing us and make an unrelated point about drug companies, which aren't the issue when it comes to obesity."

One thing U.S. drug companies have done, though, is contribute thousands of state of the art treatments (exponentially, the advances over the last 30 years have been staggering compared to the hundreds of years before) that have made up for the fact that people worldwide seem so intent on killing themselves with mind-boggling behavior. The drug companies profit pretty nicely, but they are the ones who are actually keeping all these obese people (and smokers) alive, with things like blood pressure and cholesterol medications that are common today, but didn't exist 20 years ago (when there was less need for them). Lipitor and Norvasc are by far the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. The drug companies may be evil in your mind for profiting off inventing and marketing those medications, but 1) They have done a ton to keep people who seem intent on killing themselves alive and 2) without the obesity problem we have created for ourselves, it cuts the demand for lipitor and norvasc by at least three quarters.

 

[Ace]

I don't mind drug companies developing a drug that cures a disease or relieves symptons. I don't like that drug companies develop something that they want to create a market for.

And you brought in the costs and I merely stated that the drug companies are doing their share to contribute to the cost.

Some people are just going to be fat. You can try to help them and educate them.

But I much less distressed by fatties than that idiotic Viva Viagra commercial.

 

[KG]

We have diabetes and heart disease epidemics on our hands. The number of people with type 2 (i.e. preventable if you aren't so fat) diabetes has increased by 86 percent in the last decade alone.

Not always the case. My mom was 5'3" and 120lbs when she found out she had type 2 diabetes.

 

[The Big Ragu]

We have diabetes and heart disease epidemics on our hands. The number of people with type 2 (i.e. preventable if you aren't so fat) diabetes has increased by 86 percent in the last decade alone.

Not always the case. My mom was 5'3" and 120lbs when she found out she had type 2 diabetes.

Nope. Not always the case. Sorry I stated it in such an absolute way--even if your mom is a rare exception, not the rule now. Some people have a genetic predisposition to Type 2 diabetes. Those numbers were always relatively low and defined, before we became so fat as a nation. Your mom has become the exception, not the rule, if her lifestyle has not been a contributing factor. The reason we have seen an 86 percent increase in the number of diabetics in the last decade alone is not some freak genetic anomaly. Lifestyle factors--obesity and a sedentary lifestyle--account for what we are seeing. There have always been diabetics--not just those with juvenile diabetes. The skyrocketing numbers and the costs associated with it are not the result of people with a genetic problem. They're the result of people with a lifestyle problem.

 

[Mmac]

I don't mind drug companies developing a drug that cures a disease or relieves symptons. I don't like that drug companies develop something that they want to create a market for.

I don't even mind that. I just mind drug companies selectively charging Americans 3 times as much for their products as everyone else in the world, and getting away with it because they've bought off so many elected officials with mountains of special interest cash and armies of lobbyists.

 

[Del_B_Vista]

Mississippi is No. 1!!!!!

A ranking of the fattest states has Miss. No. 1 and Colo. as the fittest state.

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-sci-obesity28aug28,1,1925074.story?coll=la-news-a_section

Not only does my state sit atop it's list, it's now the Tom Emanski of obesity: Back-to-back-to-back champs! THREE TIMES IN A ROW, BISHES!

I'm oh so proud. (And, unfortunately, a contributor to the issue, although I'm in much better shape than a year ago and 40 pounds lighter than a couple years back.)

 

[Chef]

I'm at my ideal height and weight....if I were 16 feet tall.

 

[I love puppies!]

Isn't Mississippi one of the worst states as far as education, too? That means Mississippians are fat and stupid.

If their was a study that found they drank more than any other state, they would officially be the the "Flounder" of America. Fat, drunk and stupid. No way to go through life.

 

[Cansportschick]

Well, while I live north of the border, the Atlantic provinces boast the highest rates of obesity.