MAINE
Youth obesity scares businesses
Growing costs for employers feared
By John Richardson jrichardson@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
Maine employers are already coping with rising costs related to overweight and obese workers.
But they are in for a lot more if youth obesity rates stay as high as they are now, according to new research by the University of New England.
The study of 17 Maine employers with a combined workforce of 17,000 determined that the percentage of overweight and obese workers would increase from 62 percent now to 80 percent in nine years if current trends continue, according to William Perry, a data specialist at UNE's Center for Health Policy Planning and Research. And a rise in health problems such as diabetes and heart disease will be close behind, he said.
The companies' total annual costs -- due to lost work time and health care -- will climb from $6.1 million to $10.6 million. "The combined cost of overweight and obesity at these 17 companies," Perry said, "is estimated to be $75 million" over the next 9 years.
Perry's estimates are based on employer records and a national study of weight trends and employer costs. He presented the estimates last week at a childhood obesity conference in Auburn, adding to a growing body of evidence that is worrying health care experts, teachers and business leaders.
"This should scare the pants off employers," said Robert Ross, scientific director of the Maine-Harvard Prevention Research Center. "We have to go back into schools and do something about the next generation of workers."
Childhood obesity rates have tripled in the last three decades, and overweight kids tend to become obese adults, according to Ross and other experts.
About one-third of Maine kids and two-thirds of Maine adults are overweight or obese, said Victoria Rogers, a pediatrician at Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center. Roberts calls it the biggest threat to children's health, more common than asthma, lead poisoning, autism, eating disorders or ADHD. "None of it rises to the level of this."
There is some evidence that the 30-year increase in childhood obesity is slowing or leveling off, according to Rogers. But that still leaves one of three children at risk for a variety of health problems, as well as reduced success in school or at work, she said. The Auburn conference took place as childhood obesity is getting unprecedented attention, nationally and in Maine. "When you have an epidemic, you mobilize people," said Rogers.
Maine recently received a two-year $4.2 million federal grant to fight childhood obesity. A total of $1.8 million of that grant was given to the city of Portland, which has hired new staff to improve nutrition and promote physical activity, in part by expanding bike and walking paths around the city.
Some of the money has already been used to support three new weekly farmer's markets in Portland, all supplied by refugees, as a way to expand access to fresh vegetables and improve the diets of residents. The grant money also paid for machines that allow customers to use food-stamp allowances at the markets.
Christine Lokoware of Portland, who learned to farm in her native Sudan, stood behind a table of beets, radishes and collard greens at a new Brackett Street market last Thursday. She said she tries to keep her children eating fresh produce despite all of the soda and processed foods available in stores here.
"If you don't buy soda, they are not going to drink it," she said.
Large employers in Maine have already been paying attention to the growing weight problem among workers.
Cianbro Corp., which was one of the 17 companies in the UNE study, has an aggressive one-on-one health counseling program for workers, some of whom want help losing weight and becoming more physically active.
"We want people to be healthy and have quality of life," said Rita Bubar, manager of Cianbro's human resources department and wellness program. "The benefit for us is everything from just increased morale to increased productivity to lower medical coats. There aren't any downsides."
Now, Bubar said, she and others at the company are talking more about the shape of the future workforce. The company hopes to find ways to expand the wellness program to the children of employees.
"That is the workforce of tomorrow," Bubar said. "We've been, this past year, talking about is there any way we can bring them more actively into program."
Childhood obesity may be undermining the future workforce in more subtle ways, too. Studies are also showing that overweight students generally do not perform as well in school, said Ross, the Maine-Harvard researcher.
Ross surveyed 41 Maine educators from around the state and found that most -- 71 percent -- said students who are overweight or obese do not perform as well as their peers. They also said students are not getting the recommended amount of daily activity.
"The grassroots (educators) see it and experience it. It's a validation of the research," Ross said.
Joseph Thompson, Surgeon General in Arkansas and a national authority on youth obesity, told attendees at last week's conference that 30 years of changing diets and behavior has already created an obesity problem that is more costly than tobacco use.
"This is now. This is not a future issue," he said. "We've got to figure out how to undo what we have unintentionally allowed to happen."
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26 COMMENTS
DaveD said...
millions of people out of work. less money means fewer pizzas, burgers, fries and shakes... seems as though obama's health care program has worked. destroy the economy and the fat ones among us will shed a few pounds.
July 5, 2010 at 1:07 AM Report abuse
3Steps said...
Doesn't exactly work that way Dave.. you see.. Soda is MUCH cheaper than milk or juice. Ravioli or Kraft Dinners and hot dogs are much cheaper (and easier for the culinary challenged) then grilled chicken and a salad. It's really pretty expensive to eat well. Cheap food is generally higher in fat and especially sodium. I take it you were never a starving college student? Raman Noodles are wicked cheap.. and easy... and enough sodium and fat for 2 or 3 days worth of 'normal' food. Unless you actually own land and can grow your own vegetables.. fresh vegetables are killer expensive.
July 5, 2010 at 2:22 AM Report abuse
OldTimer said...
To say nothing of having the time--or knowing how--to cook them! If only we could get the McDonalds, KFCs, Burger Kings etc. to offer toxin-free, healthful meals, we would go a long way toward keeping people fit.
July 5, 2010 at 6:53 AM Report abuse
Relax said...
Well if DaveD can tie this to politics then I guess it's ok for me to tie it to education. The only difference being that my comment will be serious. Now there's a whole slug of folks out there that think schools aren't working because those darn overeducated and overpaid teachers are just to lazy to teach. Maybe it's all the fat gym teacher's fault? Or maybe, just maybe it has more to do with the failure of parents to properly parent. How long do you let your kid sit and goof on a computer, video game, and watch TV? Let me tell ya, too long. Portion control, healthy food, and some off the butt time would do a lot to make this go away. Will that ever happen on a large scale? I don't think so. Most people are like water, they always take the path of least resistance. Fat tastes good, cooking takes time and knowledge, and moving can be tiring. Soon being "normal" (Lets say medically recommended) weight will carry it's own social stigma.
July 5, 2010 at 7:27 AM Report abuse
SheReads said...
Dave may not be totally wrong in theory - the problem is many families are all about convenience and fast-food; not about preparing REAL food. Highly processed foods have little nutritional value. The other piece of this is lack of activity. Kids are not outdoors playing games, riding bikes, jumping rope; being physically active like they should be. There is way too much TV and computer game time which adds to obesity and lifelong habits that are unhealthy.
July 5, 2010 at 7:37 AM Report abuse
Hipupchuck said...
The results of your safe protected society by nanny government. Put a little danger in your life and get thin.
July 5, 2010 at 7:47 AM Report abuse
oldstudent said...
"We could go along way toward keeping people fit." You may have the best of intentions but it isn't your business to keep people fit OT'er. If you want people to eat toxin-free, healthy meals you need to start doing something about it like starting a restaurant where those choices are available and affordable. Butting your (or my) nose into what McDonald's sells (when EVERYONE KNOWS IT ISN'T HEALTHY)is not the answer - unless you live in Chavez' Venezuela.
July 5, 2010 at 8:01 AM Report abuse
Maggiesway said...
As a nation we have, on one hand, become spoiled & pampered & lazy. On the other hand, we are stressed out of our minds, in deep debt; sleeping less hours each night & taking less vacation, than any other nation. Everyone is to blame, and no one is to blame. I think it's a problem we have all crawled into, one over-filled day at a time. Parents leave home for work, not having gotten enough sleep, work like crazy during the day, urged to do more & more with less & less. We emerge from our workplace, drained, physically & mentally. Question: Shall I take the time to chop fresh vegetables & steam rice for a stir fry, or shall I stop at McD's & get a heart attack in a sack for the kids? We really are young as a nation. We're in our teen age years & want it all, with the least amount of effort. Culturally we've emerged from the hardscrabble existence of the 30's into the opulance of the 90's; we want it all & we want it now. These recent studies are a cultural alarm clock for us all!
July 5, 2010 at 8:16 AM Report abuse
Student04330 said...
exercise is a dirty word, accordinvg to the greese traps that proliferate American society, yes fat people cost a lot of money but they also spend a lot of money fooling themselves by buying exercise equipment that they will never use, why are there so many fat people in jail? I personally do not eat fast food, ever, I eat my spinache and I am happy that I do not stuff my mouth with the greese droppings of fast food, go into any one of them and count the skinny people, I bet the obese ones out number them by at least 10 to 1
July 5, 2010 at 8:23 AM Report abuse
MeMissU said...
After watching the parade and then fireworks later, I never saw so many fatties in my life. Fat means you're consuming more than you're burning, so if you live at the computer, eat fewer meals and drink water. Diets don't work. If you're fat, don't eat. Drink broth and take vitamins. Fruit and salads, lots of water. Fat people eat and eat and eat and eat and hang around other fat people and don't seem to care about anything, but food. They lack pride & dignity, and walk around with giant slurpies. If I were fat, I'd be ashamed to let anyone see me put anything in my mouth. They just don't care, and their fat kids are learning nothing but greed. One of those seven deadly sins. Fat to me only spells out: greed, sloth, and avarice. Sharing and sacrifice is not part of the equation.
July 5, 2010 at 8:29 AM Report abuse
Peter said...
Maggie and MissU are correct.
July 5, 2010 at 8:59 AM Report abuse
DaveD said...
how could it not be gtied to politics ? health care costs ? the government runs the hospitals or don't you recall what obama did?
July 5, 2010 at 9:09 AM Report abuse
wingnut said...
Obesity is a disease of the mouth. Stop eating like a pig and you will lose weight. I watch the herds a Welfare Mart and frankly it is scary. If you have to wear sweatpants and suspenders you have gone too far. I am also tired of being told it is caused by hormones or genes..BS! If is caused by laziness and overeating..pure and simple. The incidence of diabetes is increasing and no one seems to care. Hey Wal-Mart! You had better order 20 more electric cattle carts!
July 5, 2010 at 9:15 AM Report abuse
Maggiesway said...
Peter said..." Maggie and MissU are correct." ___ ____ ________ ____ ____ _____ ____ ____ Please don't lump me in with MissU. 1) Our opinions couldn't be further apart. 2) Unlike MissU, I actually like people and feel compassion for the plight of people who are overweight. Just like sex is not for procreation only, food is far more than ingesting calories. People over eat and choose fast foods because they are poor; despressed; stressed; lonely; confused; in emotional pain; in physical pain; insecure; angry; friendless; jobless...the list is endless. I don't judge them or condemn them. MissU's posting is the exact opposite of non-judgmental and compassionate.
July 5, 2010 at 9:16 AM Report abuse
Maggiesway said...
DaveD said... "how could it not be tied to politics ? health care costs ? the government runs the hospitals or don't you recall what obama did?"_______________________Ah, of course, how did I miss that connection? Obama has been in office 18 months now and he is responsible for decades of obesity. Slapping self in forehead.
July 5, 2010 at 9:19 AM Report abuse
SheReads said...
Thank you Maggie for clarifying. The 2 statements are not the same. Extremely thin OCD people are upsetting as well, but not condemned the same as obese people. Yes we are a product of our environment and hopefully those that learn better do better; for themselves and their children, even if it's one step at a time.
July 5, 2010 at 9:25 AM Report abuse
Merrigan said...
as maggies way comments, there are many causes for obesity. The problem is not helped when people (often from very different backgrounds) come in and say people are "making poor choices" or businesses must address this. There is a lack of compassion and almost an assumption that people are bad because they are fat. While people are responsible for their choices, it is also true that adults and kids are very stressed today and that comes out in their food choices as 3steps and others point out.
July 5, 2010 at 9:42 AM Report abuse
punk51 said...
mooooooooo
July 5, 2010 at 9:44 AM Report abuse
Tall said...
Pound for pound veggies and fruit are cheaper than most meat cuts, right? Sweet potatoes are all the rage right now. Lentils are yummy! Why is it that the fast food places can't get veggies etc at a reasonable price, create some terrific meals and sell them?! Every now and again I will stop at these places just so I can see what they're selling. I'm sick to death of them saying water/juice are not part of the full meal deals. I don't drink soda! I don't want burgers! I want to be able to get a healthy alternative at a reasonable price. That's not much to ask when veggies/fruits cost less pound for pound.
July 5, 2010 at 10:40 AM Report abuse
Marie said...
My father would always say "Two axe handles wide."
July 5, 2010 at 11:57 AM Report abuse
ontherun said...
It's all about carbs and calories folks, and the amount you eat and the amount you burn. Take in 3000 calories and you better be burning at least 3000 calories a day or you are going to get FAT. Simple math. Incidentally: spandex is a privilege not a right!
July 5, 2010 at 2:06 PM Report abuse
boofaloo said...
Container gardening folks. You can buy seeds and seedlings with food stamps.
July 5, 2010 at 4:39 PM Report abuse
Purposeful said...
A "perfect storm" of conditions led to the obesity epidemic. Certainly fast food with its fat, sugar, and salt is one reason. Like most mammals, we tend to gravitate toward this temporarily satisfying combination. The plethora of TV channels, computer time, and video games keeps us in our chairs longer than is healthy for us. Chronic physical and behavioral illnesses, and even some medications lead to weight gain. Stress, feelings of hopelessness, lack of knowledge, all contribute. Some may see it simplistically as "laziness" - but if that were true, why such an incredible increase in the past few decades? We all know obese friends, relatives and colleagues who are very productive and high achievers - not lazy. Obesity is a symptom of a society that has made poor policy decisions over the years and subsidized/pushed goliath mega-agriculture-sugar,corn-at the expense of family farming. Also under seige are walkable roads and viable Main Streets. Kudos to those trying to change this.
July 6, 2010 at 12:22 PM Report abuse
annie said...
Obesity is a growing challenge to our health and does have a significant impact on healthcare spending. Obesity is related to many chronic illnesses. However, I believe that this article over generalizes regarding performance of obese children. The statesment from 71% of teachers who BELIEVE obese children are lower performers is likely influenced by stereotypical beliefs about fat people. I have been obese all of my life. I graduated in the top 5% of my highschool class, maintained a 3.8 GPA as an undergraduate and later graduate student. I am a successful healthcare professional. Obesity is a serious health condition. We are the ones who make it a social stigma. Obese people are not less than thin people.
July 21, 2010 at 8:39 AM Report abuse
Rm9sbG93aW5nTU4%3D said...
I came across this article and there are a lot of ideas, but what can the people of Maine do to create a healthier, more active environment for kids (and adults)? What about employers?
August 30, 2010 at 10:35 AM Report abuse
Hipupchuck said...
You were against a single payer insurance system, so now pay up.
September 1, 2010 at 5:47 PM Report abuse