Opinion: Obesity is robbing Ohioans of opportunity
J.Z. Bennett is an assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati and a preacher at various churches in the Cincinnati area.
Obesity does more than run up medical bills. It saps self-esteem, drains initiative, and clouds our love for others and ourselves.
Obesity is among our state’s greatest health concerns.
More: Ohio's youth obesity rate is 10th highest in nation, report shows
As an ordained minister and a social scientist, I see these problems in my community every day and understand how they rob people of opportunities to get ahead. We need a concerted effort to address this disease, and we need it now.
A massive strain on Ohioans
Just look at the impact obesity has on Ohio’s economic productivity.
It is a massive strain on our workforce, responsible for keeping more than 32,000 Ohioans unemployed according to a study by the Buckeye Institute. Eliminating the disease would lead to more gainful employment, which translates to more self-respect and hope, which reinforces healthier behaviors and promotes prosperity.
Opinion: Let's reduce the stigma of obesity
The first step we must all take is to approach obesity with empathy and understanding. People struggling with obesity face complex challenges, and so we must resist the temptation to blame or stigmatize.
Erasing the stigma
This is a complex disease with many factors — genes, environment, nutrition and activity —all working in concert. Compassion can create an environment where individuals feel supported and empowered to make positive changes in their lives.
From there, we can start to build a supportive community around healthier lifestyles and provide social support, encouragement, and resources for individuals to make sustainable changes. Solving this disease is going to take all of us. A collective effort must include community and faith leaders, healthcare professionals, policymakers, educators, social scientists, and, crucially, employers across the state.
Encouraging personal responsibility and self-determination helps individuals develop the motivation and commitment necessary to make lasting lifestyle changes.
Finding comprehensive strategies
Education, access to resources, and skill-building can empower individuals to take control of their health.
To combat obesity effectively, it's vital to implement comprehensive strategies that address multiple factors contributing to the problem. These may include promoting healthier diets, increasing physical activity, improving access to affordable nutritious food, providing education on nutrition and portion control, and creating supportive environments for healthy choices. Collaboration between various sectors, including healthcare, education, urban planning, and public policy, is key to creating sustainable solutions.
We also need policymakers to act.
The Buckeye study found that obesity increases Medicaid costs by hundreds of millions of dollars and depletes state revenues by another $19 million each year.
Ohio’s new budget increased funding for Medicaid and expanded coverage for certain obesity treatments, which are an important part of the solution. At the national level, bipartisan legislation has been advanced in Congress with similar aims to expand treatment and counseling, remove barriers to FDA-approved medications, and invest in new research and education.
As a social scientist and pastor, I understand how to assist community by shaping interventions and strategies that address both the societal and individual aspects of the obesity crisis. By combining research, compassion, and community engagement, we can work towards a healthier future for everyone.
J.Z. Bennett is an assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati and a preacher at various churches in the Cincinnati area.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What impact does Obesity have on Ohio and its economy? J.Z. Bennett
