Congressional Hearing Addresses Problem of Obesity

If we continue to deliver healthcare with our present system we will see an increase in cost of about one trillion dollars over the next 10 years. The health care/economic cost of obesity is projected to be about 147 billion dollars this year.

Without question, the problem of obesity is a big priority to address. Doctors Guillermo Valenzuela and Webster Wong were honored to participate in a U. S. Congressional Hearing at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, in Colton on January 25, 2010. U. S. Congressmen Joe Baca (D) and Jim Costa (D) of California, along with their colleague, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R) of Nebraska, conducted the hearing on behalf of the House Agricultural Committee to listen to a number of “experts” in the area of nutrition.

It is tempting to approach the problem of obesity as just an issue of will power, eating more vegetables and exercising, but if it were that simple everyone would be thin. Obesity is a multi-factorial problem. The uterine environment can imprint inherited genetic material in a fetus to trigger an increased risk of hypertension, cardiac disease and diabetes up to 50 years later. If one parent is obese there is a three-fold increase in the chance of being obese as an adult. Needless to say, the health care and emotional costs of obesity including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome are significant.

Tackling the medical aspects of obesity is just the tip of the iceberg. Children would rather watch TV, play computer games and surf the internet. Children in urban areas have fewer places to safely play. Foods loaded with empty calories and fat are cheap and accessible. Cultural, socioeconomic and demographic changes have negatively impacted family dynamics, such as a family meal together.

Despite the complexity of the problem there are solutions. Within healthcare the solution must involve a careful monitoring of weight gain and proper nutritional education of mothers during pregnancy. For parents, continuing education regarding the benefits of breast-feeding, promoting of positive role models, and emphasizing exercise are just a few steps to take.

During the hearing, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan (SNAP) was highlighted. Despite a well-funded and socially relevant past, the program has not improved obesity rates and is under-utilized. Many witnesses testified to the system driven inefficiencies and possible corrections. Still, the message of good nutrition and healthy lifestyles needs to be coupled with eligibility and effective management of SNAP.

Ultimately the solution may be similar to cultural changes that occurred regarding smoking. It will be a slow cultural shift towards a less costly healthcare system, healthier families and a better quality of life.