OECD NEW REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF OBESITY PREVENTION
/ / Publication Date 11/24/2010 6:00:00
ISSN 1886-1385 © Infocop ONLINE
Recently, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Economic Development (OECD-Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development-) has published a report entitled Obesity and the economics of prevention: Fit Not Fat, which addresses the problem of obesity as a health problem of first order, because its impact on both individual and socio-economic level.
Indeed, for years, the actual World Health Organization (WHO) warned about the problem of obesity and overweight, categorized as epidemic. The consideration of obesity as a priority health problem not only due to its high current prevalence, but its status as a vulnerability factor for overall health, increasing the risk of morbimotalidad.
The report that the OECD has developed is divided into three main parts. First, it presents a detailed study on the current prevalence of this health problem in the eleven Member countries of the Organization and provides estimated data on the increasing incidence of obesity and overweight in the medium term (2020). Secondly, details the most important results of a comparative study, conducted in collaboration with WHO, on the current reality of this problem in five different countries (Canada, Japan, Mexico, Italy and England) and calculates the impact that would develop effective policies for the prevention and reduction of obesity on the economic cost of a country. Finally, the report provides a review of policies and interventions currently are still effective for the prevention of this epidemic and provide recommendations with a view to optimizing their effectiveness.
In this regard, the OECD confirms the steady increase in the incidence of obesity in the world since last year 1980 when the prevalence was approximately 10%. So today, about 50% of the population of member countries of the Organization have a weight above recommended for health, so it is estimated that in 2020 two of every three people suffer from this health problem. These data are consistent with the English situation, since today days about 50% of the people of our country were obese or overweight, a figure which will rise about 55% in ten years. All this means that people with this health problem present a greater risk of early mortality (approximately, have a life expectancy of between 8 and 10 years younger than a person with a normal weight), which means that people with obesity 25% spend more on public health in comparison to population need, not to mention the indirect impact due to an increased number of days off work, lower productivity, etc..
indicates that female sex, low socioeconomic status or family history of obesity are important risk factors for obese. And, while recognizing the importance of biological factors in this fact underlines the importance of social, cultural and psychological factors in the development and maintenance of this problem. For example, states that the fact that a boy child at least one parent with obesity to an increased risk for this health problem may be due to the influence of genetic factors, but is also important the fact that Share a lifestyle regarding eating and physical activity.
Thus, the OECD states that the origin of this problem lies in changing lifestyles that have lived in decades, where both markets and governments have a responsibility. Somehow, the industry has encouraged less healthy eating habits and current job market Consequently, although the OECD has seen an increase in efforts by member countries in developing policies for promoting healthy lifestyle, recommends that more resources are invested in the development of comprehensive policies to prevent and control obesity.
it has promoted the reduction of physical activity, which, as indicated in this report, is influenced by stress and job insecurity and working conditions of work. On the other hand, governments have promoted policies unhealthy, characterized by the development of private transport, the increased price of natural foods and industrial food accessibility, as well as planning projects related to the world works ( long trips, etc..). Last October 2010, health ministers from OECD member states met in Paris to discuss the main findings of Obesity and the economics of prevention: Fit Not Fat and establish the main priorities for the coming years.
Source:
Organization Economic Cooperation and Development.