Obesity in West Virginia: Control and Costs

American Journal of Public Health Research, 2013, Vol. 1, No. 8, 203-208 © Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/ajphr-1-8-2

6 Pages Posted: 27 May 2014

See all articles by Janaranjana Herath

Janaranjana Herath

University of Mount Olive

Cheryl Brown

West Virginia University - Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences

Date Written: November 6, 2013

Abstract

West Virginia reports a high obesity rate, and the prevalence of obesity is 8 percent higher than the national rate. Obesity is linked with several health diseases, certain psychological disorders, quality of life, premature deaths as well as healthcare costs. Prevention of obesity is a must and changing behavioral factors is one way of controlling obesity. This research study attempts to examine the potential use of physical exercise and fewer calorie intakes in controlling obesity, and to estimate costs of obesity in West Virginia using Behavioral risk Factor Surveillance System data of 2001 and 2009. Three logit equations were used in the analysis. Results reveal that potential of using physical exercise in controlling obesity in West Virginia has increased from 2001 to 2009, though the desire of engaging in physical exercise of obese people has decreased. However, the willingness of taking fewer calories of obese individuals has increased significantly from 2001 to 2009. The cost estimations indicate that direct medical cost of obesity and total costs associated with obesity have increased by $51 million and $704 million respectively from 2001 to 2009.

Keywords: logit analysis, obesity, calorie intake, cost of obesity, physical exercise

JEL Classification: I11

Suggested Citation

Herath, Janaranjana and Brown, Cheryl, Obesity in West Virginia: Control and Costs (November 6, 2013). American Journal of Public Health Research, 2013, Vol. 1, No. 8, 203-208 © Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/ajphr-1-8-2, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2441703 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2441703

Janaranjana Herath (Contact Author)

University of Mount Olive ( email )

652, Butler Drive,
Mount Olive, NC 28365
United States

Cheryl Brown

West Virginia University - Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences ( email )

Morgantown, WV 26506
United States

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