As 2009 comes to a close, and the new decade beckons, it’s only natural that we stop and take stock of our lives. As usual, the nation’s health care is a common theme, as New Year’s resolutions are planned, followed, and often broken.  One big problem that is sure to play a huge role in the coming year(s) is the ever-growing obesity epidemic. With that, let’s take a look at where we now stand weight-wise (and the news isn’t good) …

Every year, health care and financial experts calculate America’s Health Rankings. And unfortunately, the rising weight gain is going to continue to take its toll on everyone’s bank account, regardless of their health. “Obesity is going to be a leading driver in rising health care costs,” states Kenneth Thorpe of Emory University, who was responsible for the analysis’ findings.

The study shows that an estimated 34% of US adults were classified as “obese” in 2006; this is a giant 23% increase from 1994’s scores. In 2008, those American adults who were 30 or more pounds over a healthy weight cost the country about $147 billion in weight-related medical bills, which was double the amount from a decade earlier.

Bank Accounts & Health Care Pay the Price
Specifically, obesity and its related conditions now make up 9.1% of all medical spending as compared to the 6.5% calculated in 1998. Even worse, it’s expected that by 2018, unyielding obesity may cost the nation about $344 billion in annual medical-related expenses. This will represent about 21% of ALL health care spending!

Money aside, this rising weight gain is definitely going to affect health care, especially for cancer rates. A variety of studies demonstrate that obesity is now responsible for 100,500 new cases of cancer every year. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, the most common cancers related to excess body fat are: breast, endometrial, kidney, colorectal, pancreas, esophageal and gallbladder. Research finds that obesity also raises health care costs by boosting risks for other related conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.