Be a loser with me: Part Two
The cost of being physically inactive
by Karin L. Nauber
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| Another "cost" of physical inactivity is an ever "widening" problem. |
Each of us pays a price for being physically inactive. Some of that is our own personal losses like being overweight and suffering from our own physical and mental health problems.
But there is the bigger picture and that involves the financial cost of physical inactivity nationwide and specifically in Minnesota where it hurts our personal pocketbooks.
The most recent information regarding the healthcare costs of physical inactivity available from the Minnesota Department of Health are from 2002.
At that time there was an estimated $495 million that was spent during 2000 treating diseases and conditions that would be avoided if all Minnesotans were physically active. I can't even imagine what that figure would be in today's dollars, but you can guess it is much higher.
In 2000 there was $383 million spent for hospital, outpatient and professional services and $112 million for outpatient prescription drugs to bring us to the $495 million total. According to the report, this amount represents over 100 dollars annually for every man, woman and child living in Minnesota.
"But," you might be saying to yourself now, "$100 annually isn't very much. I paid more for my monthly insurance premiums than that."
I'm glad you pointed that out, because there are other costs of physical inactivity because the MDH says the $495 million is likely an underestimate of the true financial costs attributable to physical inactivity. This is in part due to several factors. First of all, the analysis was limited to diseases with a strong link to physical inactivity. Second, the costs listed only represent a portion of the total direct costs related to these diseases. It does not include costs for long-term care treatment and those for which the condition was not listed as the primary diagnosis. It also did not take into account the indirect costs of productivity losses from illness and early death (Which I personally don't believe in. I think when it is our time to go, we go. But that is a story for another day.) from these diseases which are expected to add several hundred million to the $495 million total.
It isn't really our fault that we have become so physically inactive. Sedentary behavior, or just sitting around, is a natural response to our environment.
Like I said in the first part of this series, at one time, my jobs and lifestyle dictated my activity. I had physical labor jobs and I chose to walk.
Today, our culture increasingly values cars, television, computers and convenience making physical activity less a natural part of our lives.
Chandra Schmidt, a Todd County Public Health nurse and health educator said that in the book, "Walk to Better Health," Author Mark Fenton states that our society builds cities for vehicles not for pedestrians.
MDH has noted also that newer communities are often designed without sidewalks or streetlights which decreases walkability.
Communities today are also often designed with housing far from schools, shopping or other activities making walking or biking infeasible.
When I lived in the Twin Cities for several years, I totally gave up bike riding at all simply because it was dangerous. There were no bike trails where I lived at the time and navigating the streets of St. Paul's east side after dark were not my idea of a fun time. Besides, traffic was horrendous.
Another factor adding to our sedentary behavior is that more and more of us have sedentary jobs which decrease the amount of activity done during our daily routines.
There is hope, however.
Physical activity can help people live longer healthier lives. A physically active Minnesota population would expect to see:
30 percent fewer cases of heart disease, stroke, colon cancer and osteoporosis
18 percent fewer cases of type 2 diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure)
16 percent fewer injuries from falls in the elderly
12 percent fewer cases of depression and anxiety
5 percent fewer cases of breast cancer
Physical activity can help the elderly maintain their independence longer. It also improves mental health and overall well-being.
Physical activity has also proven to be beneficial in managing many chronic conditions. It has resulted in more productive employees by decreasing illness and absenteeism and has helped to reverse the trend of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Since I quit smoking, I decided now would be a good time to start increasing my physical activity.
I've actually been quite lucky to not have a lot of physical health problems. Not everyone is so lucky.
In the coming weeks watch for more information about how you can be a loser with me. The more people we can get involved in this the healthier we'll be.
So how do you get involved in being a loser with me?
It's simple. Stop in to the news office in Clarissa to fill out an application. There is a $25 registration fee.
You will get a complete list of contest rules. The winner of the contest will be eligible for cash and prizes totaling $500. There is also a $250 prize for the second place loser and a $100 prize for the third place loser.
The contest officially begins on Friday, April 4 with a weigh-in from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. You must be present for this weigh-in. There are two other mandatory weigh-in days. Those are on May 12 and June 23.
Your weight will be confidential, other than the top 3 prize winners (only you will see your weight).
Individuals who have had weight loss surgery in the last 3 years are ineligible.
You must be 18 years of age or older.
You must be at least 20 pounds overweight.
Professional and amateur fitness competitors are not allowed to enter the contest.
The winner will be determined by the person who loses the largest percent of weight.
You will compete individually.
If you drop out of the competition, your money is not refundable. You're in it to win it.
You will weigh-in on Mondays from 1-7 p.m. bi-weekly with the results (meaning % of body weight). You will always know where you rank in weight loss. Be advised that we will have a group weigh-in on Monday, June 23 at 6 p.m. to determine the winner. The scale that we use will be at Long Prairie Memorial Hospital's Eagle Valley Clinic in Eagle Bend.
You can lose weight any way you choose. Weight Watchers, low carb., etc. You can work out wherever you choose.
Everyone is required to sign a contract saying that you are committed to the challenge, understand the rules, and are liable for your own health.
The weigh-ins will be at the Eagle Valley Clinic in Eagle Bend.
Watch for more information about special discounts that will be offered to participants at many local businesses.
Stop in at the Independent News Herald and sign up soon.
I encourage you to be a loser with me.