Obesity among Americans has increased dramatically since the 1980s and this has been rather costly.
It is estimated that obesity costs the American health care system $147 billion each year, which is a burden almost as heavy as the average American. These costs stem from the fact that obesity has a catastrophic effect on health by dramatically increasing a person risks for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, and certain types of cancer. It also lowers a person’s overall life expectancy. In short, fat is costing America lives and treasure.
If terrorists were inflicting such damage, there would be a mad frenzy on the part of politicians. However, our fatness is self-inflicted and is actually aided and abetted by the state (via such things as subsidies for certain food industries). As such, we are the fatties and the fatteners.
While this obesity thing does seem like a problem, it is actually a gold mine for some. First, although obesity costs America billions, it is not the case that the money is merely being flushed down the toilet. Rather, much of it is being spent in the medical field, thus providing income and jobs. The fatties of America ensure that the medical fields will continue to be a growth industry whose expansion matches America’s expanding waistline. Second, the obesity problem is also a gold mine for those involved in weight management, especially those selling books, pills, diet plans and other stuff. This no doubt generates a significant number of jobs. Third, many of the problems caused by obesity can be managed and treated (to a degree) by pharmaceuticals. As such, the pharmaceutical companies can make a fortune selling medicine to address the problems caused by this fatter America. Fourth, as people get fatter many things will have to be changed to handle the weight (like furniture) and new products (such as scooters for transporting fat people) will be needed. Fat-fitting America could be a major growth industry. Already certain beauty and medical chairs/stations are not up to handling the weight-thus there is quite a market there.
Thus, before people push for low cost solutions like sensible eating and exercise, we should carefully consider how much of the economy depends on Americans being fat. It could actually be a patriotic duty to be fat and thus help the economy.
