Obesity in West Virginia: Control and Costs (original) (raw)
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An Economic Analysis of Adult Obesity in West Virginia
West Virginia reports the highest obesity level in the United States. Every 3 in 10 adults are obese, and the prevalence of obesity is nearly 8% higher than the national level. Obesity is linked with several diseases such as heart disease, diabetes II, hypertension, cancer, arthritis, asthma, and some psychological disorders. The reported economic burden associated with obesity is considerably high. This research study attempts to examine the use of exercise and cutting down of calorie intakes in controlling obesity in West Virginia using the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Three logit models were estimated. Results indicate that obese adults are less likely to engage in exercises to lose weight compared to non-obese adults. Among obese individuals only 15% cut down calorie intakes to lose weight where as the respective proportion from the entire population is 31%. Low income levels, and presence of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and asthma, have positive effects on obesity in West Virginia. Obesity can significantly be alleviated through physical activities in West Virginia.
Global Journal of Health Science
The study tries to investigate the obesity and obesity related health implications of Colorado and Mississippi States to see the significant factors affecting obesity in each state to propose effective and doable policy suggestions to the states, especially to Mississippi state. The study follows logit analysis using Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Systems (BRFSS) survey data of 2018. The individual data reported for the states were used for the analysis. The statistical package of STATA was used for the analysis. The analytical results show that physical exercise (EXER), number of sleeping hours (SLEP), and education (EDUC) play a major role in combatting obesity. Also, the impact of smoking (SMOK), alcohol consumption (DRNK), and obesity -related diseases ((DISE). The large differences in value between Colorado and Mississippi indicate the significance of these variables and how they could be used in Mississippi. Thus, Mississippi needs to go for efficient and effective policy i...
Economics of Obesity, Energy Intakes, and Physical Activity among Adults in Appalachia, USA
Many research outcomes highlight the use of behavioral changes to combat obesity. This study attempts to examine and discuss the potential use of physical activity and less energy intakes in mitigating obesity among the adults in Appalachia, USA. Within the context of utility theory and behavioral aspect of energy balances of an individual, a system of simultaneous equations with three endogenous variables; decision to reduce energy intakes, time engaged in physical activity and Body Mass Index (BMI) were used for the analysis. The results highlight the potentials of weight control by reducing energy intakes and engaging in more physical activity. Importantly, the results emphasize that elderly individuals are less likely to engage in physical activity and reduce energy intakes to control BMI at the same time. The individuals with high BMI values are more likely to reduce energy intakes than engage in physical activity. The male are more likely to engage in physical activity to control obesity than reducing energy intakes while the female are more likely to reduce energy intakes than engaging in physical activity. Higher income generation, job opportunities, service of health professionals, and availability of recreational facilities play a key role in changing behaviors for controlling obesity.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2009
A recursive system of ordered self assessed health (SAH) and a binary indicator of obesity were used to investigate the impact of socioeconomic and environmental factors on health and obesity in the predominantly rural Appalachian state of West Virginia. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data together with county specific socioeconomic and built environment indicators were used in estimation. Results indicate that an individual's risk of being obese increases at a decreasing rate with per capita income and age. Marginal impacts show that as the level of education attainment increases, the probability of being obese decreases by 3%. Physical inactivity increases the risk of being obese by 9%, while smoking reduces the risk of being obese by 14%. Fruit and vegetable consumption lowers the probability of being obese by 2%, while each hour increase in commuting time raises the probability of being obese by 2.4%. In addition, individuals living in economically distressed counties are less likely to have good health. Intervention measures which stimulate human capital development and better land use planning are essential policy elements to improving health and reducing the incidence of obesity in rural Appalachia.
A Spatial Analysis of Obesity in West Virginia
2006
A spatial panel data analysis at the county level examines how individual food consumption, recreational, and lifestyle choices ? against a backdrop of changing demographic, built environment, and policy factors ? leads to obesity. Results suggest that obesity tends to be spatially autocorrelated; in addition to hereditary factors and lifestyle choices, it is also caused by sprawl and lack of land use planning. Policy measures which stimulate educational attainment, poverty alleviation, and promotion of better land use planning and best consumption practices (BCPs) could both reduce obesity and result in sustainable development of regions where obesity is prevalent and the economy is lagging.
Economics of adult obesity and diabetes in Appalachia
Health, 2013
Obesity and diabetes are major health problems in the United States. The primary aim of this study is to examine the association between obesity and diabetes and to estimate the cost of diabetes linked to obesity in the Appalachian region. A system of simultaneous equations approach, and a logit estimation are employed for the analyses. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys for 2001 and 2009 are the main sources of data. Both county-level and individual-level data are used for the analyses. The simultaneous approach at county-level based on the changes of income, employment, obesity, and diabetes reveals that obesity increases diabetes, but diabetes does not have an effect on obesity. The counties with high initial levels of obesity had less obesity growth but more diabetes growth. Increasing income impacts negatively on diabetes growth. Logit analysis indicates that obesity significantly increases the risk of diabetes of adults' in Appalachia. Besides, being employed, higher income, as well as engaging in exercise reduce the prevalence of diabetes, while age increases diabetes. The economic cost of obesity-related diabetes is $1.9 billion, and can be reduced through mitigating obesity.
This paper examines the factors that may be responsible for the 50% increase in the number of obese adults in the US since the late 1970s. We employ the 1984-1999 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, augmented with state level measures pertaining to the per capita number of fast-food and full-service restaurants, the prices of a meal in each type of restaurant, food consumed at home, cigarettes, and alcohol, and clean indoor air laws. Our main results are that these variables have the expected effects on obesity and explain a substantial amount of its trend.