The Cost of Being Overweight

It is a simple fact that many Americans are overweight. According to the American Obesity Association, approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million are obese, and 9 million are severely obese. The issue has arguably become a primary focus of both lawmakers and the national media. Schools are removing soft drink vending machines, the FDA is requiring stricter nutritional labeling, and television networks are incorporating the cause into new types of programming, as demonstrated in NBC’s sensational hit, “The Biggest Loser.”
The life insurance industry is also concerned about the country’s growing waistline, as the longevity and health impacts of extra weight affect the cost of insuring consumers. Wishing for all consumers to have long and healthy lives, life insurance carriers are rewarding weight loss through lower policy premiums. Fortunately, a significant amount of the overweight population is on the threshold of earning those lower premiums and saving hundreds of dollars — if they simply make minor lifestyle adjustments.