Cost of obesity
Did you know that being overweight will end up costing you more?
That's not because you spend money on gym memberships or weight loss programs. It's the monetary increases in health care costs that really add up.
According to Zhou Yang, Ph.D. , lead author of a study published in Health Services Research, found that an elderly person who is overweight at 65 may spend $16,000 more and the obese person may spend $26,000 more than those who are a normal weight at age 65. I don't know about you, but I can think of a lot of ways I'd rather spend money than on health care!
Try these three steps to reduce your weight AND save money:
1. Get moving. Build up gradually so that you're getting some type of exercise for at least 60 minutes total every day. That could be a 15 minute walk in the morning, 20 minutes gardening, 15 minutes walking in the evening, 10 minutes walking up and down the stairs during TV commercials.
2. Avoid beverages with calories - except for skim milk. Instead of fruit juice, drink water and eat a piece of fruit. Make sure you choose skim milk for the fewest amount of calories yet slightly more calcium. Skip drinks sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and opt for water again. Avoid alcohol - you can better protect your heart by losing weight and exercising.
3. Eat one bite less of every food, all day long. If you eat one bite less of every single food you eat all day, you'll consume fewer calories and learn to get by with less. You'll also learn that you don't have to eat everything put in front of you.
That's not because you spend money on gym memberships or weight loss programs. It's the monetary increases in health care costs that really add up.
According to Zhou Yang, Ph.D. , lead author of a study published in Health Services Research, found that an elderly person who is overweight at 65 may spend $16,000 more and the obese person may spend $26,000 more than those who are a normal weight at age 65. I don't know about you, but I can think of a lot of ways I'd rather spend money than on health care!
Try these three steps to reduce your weight AND save money:
1. Get moving. Build up gradually so that you're getting some type of exercise for at least 60 minutes total every day. That could be a 15 minute walk in the morning, 20 minutes gardening, 15 minutes walking in the evening, 10 minutes walking up and down the stairs during TV commercials.
2. Avoid beverages with calories - except for skim milk. Instead of fruit juice, drink water and eat a piece of fruit. Make sure you choose skim milk for the fewest amount of calories yet slightly more calcium. Skip drinks sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and opt for water again. Avoid alcohol - you can better protect your heart by losing weight and exercising.
3. Eat one bite less of every food, all day long. If you eat one bite less of every single food you eat all day, you'll consume fewer calories and learn to get by with less. You'll also learn that you don't have to eat everything put in front of you.
Labels: aging, health care costs, weight control
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