Why the quotation marks around "facts." Are these statistics in question? Please realize how defensive and angry you sound. Is it not plausible to you that Dr. Fanning is merely trying to get us off our collective butts and urging us to go to the gym? Is that a bad thing?

I think not.

So, excuse me while I (shamefacedly, since its been two weeks) pack my gym bag and get off my singular butt...



-----Original Message-----
From: Sandy Dodd <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 16:41:33 -0400
Subject: Re: [UTCSTAFF] Here's The Latest

I disagree.  This email and Dr. Fanning's original email don't just state
facts.  They are used in such a way as to point the finger at overweight
people as the cause of high medical costs, and incite feelings of hostility
towards one group of people.  Since when is discrimination for any reason
acceptable?  

Also, I resent being lumped together with some statistical group of people
who lay out of work and cost employers all mentioned extra money, because
they are overweight.  I personally have over 700 hours of accrued sick
leave, and resent the "facts" presented in such a way as to promote
discrimination against overweight employees as a group of unproductive
deadweight.

Sandy

-----Original Message-----
From: Nicholas Boer [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 4:20 PM
To: 'Sandy Dodd'; [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: [UTCSTAFF] Here's The Latest

Dr. Fanning is simply stating facts that have been determined by large
government agencies namely the Centers for Disease Control and the National
Institutes of Health. There is no agenda in these numbers. The fact of the
matter is that being overweight and especially obese (BMI over 30) is a
cause for many chronic disease states and here is an abridged list - Heart
disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, depression, breast cancer and colon
cancer. It is also a fact that the treatments for these conditions are
improving. More people are getting and living with these conditions and as a
result health care costs are going through the roof. Sure obesity is the not
the only cause for chronic disease, but it is a major cause. (70% is
behavioral/environmental and 30% is genetic) Statistics related to obesity
are also directly related to obesity. There are other statistics for heart
disease, stroke, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, etc. Some additional food
for thought is that my UTC health care benefit was approximate $7,500 last
year and I may have used $200 to $300 last year. That means the insurance
made a lot of profit on me. Do I get a monetary reward for living healthy?
No, instead my health care costs are being raised. If we can reward low risk
drivers then why is it discriminatory to reward people living a healthy
lifestyle? But, I digress. What is important is that (as Dr. Fanning is
stating) the major causes of death and disease are preventable and at the
very least manageable through proper diet and exercise. Just look at all the
inadvertent commercials for diet and exercise. Every diet pill will say in
conjunction with a diet and exercise program and most medications will also
mention that diet and/or exercise was part of the treatment. (At the very
least the medications will mention - when diet and exercise is not enough.
In other words diet and exercise is often enough and should be part of the
treatment program.) So if you think that there is a witch hunt going on that
is a shame. Really, the goal is to get people to eat right and complete the
physical activity recommendations set forth by the American College of
Sports Medicine and the Centers for Disease control which is a MINIMUM of 30
minutes of moderate activity (walking) 5 to 7 days per week and resistance
and flexibility exercise at least 2 days per week. Chances are if you are
doing what you are supposed to be doing, that you will be happier, healthier
and your body composition will be fine. Evidence is also strong that if
everyone led a healthy lifestyle our health care costs would be greatly
reduced. 

Nicholas F. Boer, PhD, MPH
Health and Human Performance 
Dept #6606 (Maclellan Gym 213)
University of TN - Chattanooga
615 McCallie Ave
Chattanooga, TN 37403
423-425-1736
Fax 423-425-4457
[log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: UTC Staff E-Mail List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Sandy Dodd
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 3:08 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [UTCSTAFF] Here's The Latest

I don't know about the rest of campus, but I find this email offensive and
discriminatory.  It is a witch hunt against people who are overweight, as if
they are the cause of all monies spent on healthcare.  And don't think that
we all have to believe that just because a person is overweight, that their
particular illness or disease was specifically "caused" by being overweight.
They may have had an increased "risk" factor, but not the direct cause.  

I don't see equal time being spent on blaming cancer patients for "causing"
their own ailment and costing the government and American people billions of
dollars in medical costs.

I don't see anything about any number of diseases that are completely
unrelated to weight being mentioned and people with them being persecuted.  

I for one do not appreciate these emails that seem to attempt to get thin
people to "hate" and "blame" overweight people for all the healthcare costs
in this world.

Sandy 

-----Original Message-----
From: UTC Staff E-Mail List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of W.
Leroy Fanning
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 2:16 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [UTCSTAFF] Here's The Latest

Medicaid and health care costs continue to rise due to increased use of
medications and long-term care, as well as higher incidence of preventable
illness and disabling conditions. Cost-containment strategies are failing,
and policymakers are confronting the root causes of rising costs, namely
chronic diseases. Obesity is a primary cost driver, causing or complicating
many chronic conditions.

Overweight and obesity result from consuming more energy<or food<than is
burned through activity or exercise. Primary behavioral factors that cause
obesity are physical inactivity and poor nutrition. Lack of environmental
supports for healthy choices where we work, live and play contribute to
these risks. 

Despite the proven benefits of physical activity, more than 50% (67% in
Tennessee) of American adults do not get enough physical activity to provide
health benefits (30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least 5 days
per week), and 24 percent are not active at all in their leisure time.

Obesity costs Americans $117 billion annually, including $61 billion in
direct medical costs for treatment of related diseases plus $56 billion in
indirect costs such as lost productivity.

Health care costs are 36% higher and medication costs are 77% higher for an
obese person compared to an individual at healthy weight.

If 10% of adults began a regular walking program, $5.6 billion in heart
disease costs could be saved.
................Source: National Institute for Health

Do your part! Get off your "Fatty-Acids" and join me and go play.

Leroy Fanning
Health and Human Performance