The AOA has been founded to combat a condition that affects more than one-quarter of all adults and one in five children. The effects of the disease, in terms of death, disability and morbidity are devastating. Despite the enormous toll taken by obesity, however, the disease does not receive the attention it deserves from government, the health care profession or the insurance industry.
The United States spends billions on health care. Yet, the rates for obesity are escalating. The impact caused by type 2 diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, stroke and the other conditions caused by obesity are only going to escalate.
We know now that the health effects of obesity are similar or greater than smoking, problem drinking and being poor. One would think, then, that the health care industry including programs of the federal government, state governments, employers, managed care and public health programs would be actively involved in stemming the obesity epidemic. But they are not. If one looks at research, education, prevention, treatment, consumer protection or discrimination, the health care field treats obesity as a second-class citizen.
Research is the key to understanding many of the complexities of obesity. It is key to finding new effective therapies and strategies for prevention. Yet, research on obesity suffers from severe under-funding. Many of the diseases resulting from obesity get more research dollars from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) than does obesity itself. Organizationally, obesity research is in the cellar at NIH.
Insurance coverage for obesity treatment, including surgery, drugs and counseling is non-existent or inadequate. Federal health programs like Medicare and Medicaid have inadequate coverage. The private sector is not much better.
Discrimination against persons with obesity is rampant in education, employment and health care. Persons with obesity are daily offended by cruel jokes and insults.
Consumers are daily deluged with false and misleading claims for products to relieve their obesity.
Little wonder that health care costs continue to rise. Obesity, the root cause of many health care problems, has been ignored by physicians, researchers, insurers and governments at all levels.
AOA and the AOA Research Foundation were founded to be an agent of change to alter this picture. Our web site is intended to help you better understand obesity and what can be done to change the picture from one of neglect to one of dedicated action.
Richard L. Atkinson, M.D.
President, American Obesity Association
The AOA has been founded to combat a condition that affects more than one-quarter of all adults and one in five children. The effects of the disease, in terms of death, disability and morbidity are devastating. Despite the enormous toll taken by obesity, however, the disease does not receive the attention it deserves from government, the health care profession or the insurance industry.
