The American Medical Association recently officially recognized obesity as a disease, a move that could cause physicians to pay more attention to the condition and spur more insurance companies to pay for treatments. This is great news for many. In 2008, medical costs associated with obesity were estimated at $147 billion. The annual medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher per person than those of normal weight. Americans spend tens of billions of dollars each year to lose weight, including gym memberships, Weight Watchers and other similar programs, operations and nutritional supplements. Losing weight and getting healthy starts with what you put into your body. This is exactly why online health food stores have grown in number and popularity. A health foods store online offers people the option to order nutritional supplements, proven diet favorites and nutritionally balanced alternatives.
In the U.S., by state, obesity prevalence ranged from 20.7% in Colorado to 34.9% in Mississippi in 2011. No state had a percentage of obese citizens less than 20%. 39 states had a prevalence of 25% or more and 12 had a prevalence of 30% or more. Those numbers are alarmingly high. Much of this has to do with what Americans are eating. The average amount of sodium consumption a day in the United States is about 3,400 milligrams, according to the Institute of Medicine. Many people often settle for cheap, convenient fast food lacking in proper nutrients and high in fats, sugars, cholesterol and sodium. Unfortunately, sometimes proper healthy cuisine is just not available or easy to come by for Americans.
Online health food stores can provide dieters the nutrition alternatives they are often lacking in their daily diets. A health foods store online is also often a better option than driving to the local health food store. Online stores have better sales and generally cheaper prices than their physical counterparts. These online stores are sometimes just a store somewhere that also provides products over the internet, but at reduced cost. Health food stores are known to have charge hefty amounts for in person visits as sometimes they are the only health exclusive option for miles around.
Getting products from a health foods store online can will save both your body and wallet. The best way for an overweight American to avoid paying so much on health costs is to improve physically. The first step to doing that is eating right. More research here.