THE EFFECTS OF OBESITY, SMOKING & DRINKING: MEDICAL PROBLEMS & COSTS

Originally published at: https://fitnessnphysic.blogspot.com/

Introduction:

Health risks such as obesity, smoking, and heavy drinking are common in South Africa and many communicable diseases can be caused by these risk factors. These risk factors may change, through smoking cessation programs, taxes and regulation of tobacco and alcohol products, or programs that promote healthy eating or increase physical activity. The prevalence of chronic diseases, including diabetes and certain cancers, has skyrocketed in South Africa and will continue to rise unless measures are taken to combat it. These chronic health conditions, too, are thought to be the drivers of increasing health care costs.

Understanding the moderate contribution of risk factors to poor health allows for better identification of health promotion programs to make prevention efforts cost-effective. Health promotion activities have traditionally focused on smoking and alcohol abuse, and obesity and obesity have been prominent in recent policy discussions. Obesity rates are rising rapidly among South African youth, which sets the stage for the increase in obesity-related chronic conditions over the coming decades. 

This paper compares the relationship between obesity, smoking, alcohol abuse and health use and the increase in chronic conditions in South African adults in the private medical system. The number of private insurers includes approximately 17% of South African adults, have higher incomes, and have more access to medical care than South Africans who are uninsured.

While obesity and obesity are sometimes combined, health outcomes and health care vary widely. U.S. studies have shown little or no effect of obesity on health care costs or death, but the major effects of high levels of obesity are. Therefore, we classify obesity, moderation, and obesity in this analysis.

Method:

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