Exercise, diet, and money management are intertwined concepts. Healthcare costs are rising, life expectancy for children is decreasing, and household debt is increasing to record levels. Understanding the basic knowledge to manage these three topics is critical to personal well-being and a brighter future.
Unhealthy Living Impact on America
The Kaiser Family Foundation reported that for every dollar spent on healthcare "chronic disease treatment accounted for over 75% of national health expenditures." Three-fourths of the nation's healthcare spending are directed related to individual lifestyle choices. Of the $2.3 trillion spent in 2008, the majority was allocated towards health complications that are preventable through healthy living.
How does exercise and maintaining a healthy diet reduce the need for healthcare services? Because if people are not unhealthy then the doctor is not necessary. Hundreds of billions are spent for conditions like diabetes, where research has demonstrated that no drug or treatment can match the effectiveness of diet and exercise.
America is killing itself because of its lifestyle choices. Americans spend days sitting at work, sitting at home, and eating box after box of processed junk that half the ingredients need a chemistry degree to understand. Americans are choosing "convenience" everyday over healthy habits that promote long term health benefits.
Unhealthy Living Costing Billions
In respects to health, the combination of smoking, drinking, and illegal drugs costs America over $400 billion dollars, according to an article published at Forbes.com on October 13th, 2006. The article, "The 5 Most Expensive Addictions," written by Tom Van Riper, includes not only the cost to purchase but also medical treatments, lost work hours, and totality of negative consequences. Racking up the credit card bills with these addictions only furthers the problems facing America.
To combat weight concerns, Americans spend over $50 billion on diet pills. Meanwhile, according to the National Institute of Health, eating disorders cost America $107 billion each year. Americans spend a considerable amount of money to lose weight "easily," but then are forced into treatment because "it was not so easy."
Finding Balance in American Health
The totality of these statistics and national economic data is a reflection of America as individuals. People would rather eat poorly, never exercise, and spend their hard earned money to combat diseases caused by their own lifestyles. Addictions, expensive things, and "quick fixes" to big personal issues take precedent over fiscal responsibility and working towards a better tomorrow.
So how does understanding diet, exercise, and money management improve an individual's life? These concepts are not new and do not require extensive education and expertise. They are basic life strategies that are paramount to preventing personal and national disaster.
Paying for health insurance is expensive but costs are greater if general health is poor due to lifestyle choices. Cigarettes provide an instant buzz but cost thousands a year and a future of expensive treatments for emphysema and cancer. Having a 55-inch television is nice but avoiding exercise to watch hours of HD television and cutting back on "expensive" healthy food is ridiculous.
America's future is a reflection of our own culture and willingness to sacrifice. Believing the medical technologies will correct unhealthy living or spending without regards for money management is reckless. For a better tomorrow, American has to start today.
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Sources:
DietPillsGuide.org "Are Diet Pills Safe and Effective?" (accessed on 04/11/2010).
CreditCard.com "Average Credit Card Debt" (accessed on 04/11/2010).
KaiserEDU.org "U.S. Health Care Costs" (accessed on 04/11/2010).
Keith Cronin - Keith is a physical therapist in the St. Louis area and enjoys writing on the topics of health, sports, and education. Keith provides ...
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