Obesity Can be Fatal!
Obesity has been associated with numerous medical problems; however it has also been identified as a single strong factor in fatal cardiovascular disease. Inflammation appears to be a strong component in fatal cardiovascular disease, according to researchers, and obesity is now increasingly being recognized as an inflammatory condition.
“We already knew that being obese meant you had a higher chance of having a heart attack,” according to study researcher Jennifer Logue, MD, of the University of Glasgow, as reported by WebMD. “We also already knew that obese people were more likely to have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.”
But, Logue says, the study has shown “two news things: obese, middle-aged men have a 60% increased risk of dying from a heart attack than non-obese middle-aged men, even after we cancel out any of the effects of cholesterol, blood pressure, and other cardiovascular risk factors. This means, that obesity itself, may be causing fatal heart attacks through a factor that we have not yet identified.”
Obesity has a huge impact on individuals and employer groups as a whole. Cardiovascular disease is on the rise as a result of more obese individuals. These increased medical conditions have resulted in rising costs to employers associated with healthcare expenses and costs related to decrease in productivity and increased absenteeism in the workplace.
Employers benefit greatly with a comprehensive Wellness Coaching Program and/or Disease Management Program that incorporates individualized weight loss programs. Wellness Coaches and Disease Managers should be specially trained to identify motivational factors and help clients set achievable weight loss goals.
The accountability of communicating with a Wellness Coach or Disease Manager at scheduled intervals is key in the success of these programs. Guiding and encouraging participants in these programs utilizing holistic approach assessments, motivational interviewing skills and educational tools have proven to be very successful in assisting employees to reach their weight loss goals. The results of employees reaching their healthy weight goals are a more positive, healthy employee population.
Mary Shenoo, RN, BSN, CCM,CWC
Ms. Shenoo joined Managed Care Concepts in 1993 as a Case Manager and Utilization Review Nurse Supervisor. In 1996, she was promoted to Executive Director. Her responsibilities now include: Oversight and Program Development for all departments. She serves as the liaison to the Medical Director, is the Organ Transplant Coordinator, and is a participating member of the MCC, Inc. Quality Management Committee.
