News from the NIH: research to evaluate “natural experiments” related to obesity and diabetes

Excerpt

Obesity is a major contributor to many serious health conditions that increase morbidity and reduce quality of life. For example, obesity is a significant risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain forms of cancer. The prevalence of obesity in children and adults in the USA has dramatically increased in the past four decades [1, 2]. Although some cities and states are showing reductions in rates of childhood obesity, the prevalence is still far above 1970 levels [3‐5]. Diabetes currently affects an estimated 25.8 million people in the USA and another 79 million Americans are estimated to be at greatly increased risk of developing diabetes in the next several years [6]. Further, most adults with diabetes in the USA are not meeting the recommended goals for diabetes care [7]. Overweight, obesity, and/or excessive weight gain during pregnancy are also contributing to rising rates of gestational diabetes mellitus which in turn increases risk of future type 2 diabetes in the mother and child. In addition to the considerable impairments to health and quality of life with these conditions, there are also serious economic consequences. The estimated current annual cost of diabetes alone in the USA is $245 billion dollars per year with $176 billion in direct medical costs and the remainder related to reduced productivity [8]. …