Event Recap: Experts Weigh In: Fighting Military Obesity in 2024
On Wednesday, September 4th, ASP hosted a panel on the costs and consequences of obesity in the US military. Panelists included the Director of Policy Strategy and Alliances at the Obesity Action Coalition Dr. Tracy Zvenyach, the Founder and Director of the Comprehensive Weight Management Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Dr. Richele L. Corrado, the president of the Obesity Medicine Association Dr. Lydia C. Alexander, and the President of Risk Strategies Consulting Stuart Piltch. ASP Senior Research Scientist Courtney Manning led and moderated the panel.
Ms. Manning started the discussion by stating data on the recent developments in obesity in the US military. Around 22% of active service members have obesity, and ASP researchers calculate that the Department of Defense spends over $1.25 Billion to treat obesity in active duty each year, without even counting the impact of lost productivity.
In the panel discussion, Dr. Zvenyach argued that society needs to catch up with the science. She emphasized that seeking care from a healthcare professional is paramount and pointed out how society is already paying for obesity, as people living with obesity have a 233% higher cost of living. She concluded that society needs to invest more in the education, awareness, and treatment of the chronic disease.
Dr. Corrado stated that the high pressure placed on appearance in the military, as well as the mandatory weigh-ins, can be stigmatizing. She also argued that some body composition policies are old and outdated, leading service members, commanders, and doctors to worry about disciplinary action for “exceeding weight standards” following diagnosis. She underscored the lack of sufficiently educated healthcare providers, as well as an overall absence of education about obesity as a disease across the services. To help expand education and increase coverage, she suggested an Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) project where multiple board-certified providers learn how to provide evidence-based obesity care.
Dr. Alexander added to the concept of Project ECHO. She highlighted that there are 10,000 physicians specialized in treating obesity in the United States that could take part in such an initiative, but stressed the need for comprehensive funding. She problematized that many see obesity as a question of personal willpower or moral failure, and weight loss as crossing a finish line, even though obesity treatment programs are long-term. She underscored that the military could better discuss nutrition, behavioral science, and sleep deprivation within their channels.
Mr. Piltch stated that, from an insurance standpoint, covering expensive obesity drugs is a huge financial investment. He noted the potential logistical issues of access and storage, given that much of the anti-obesity medication available today must be refrigerated. However, he stressed the importance of addressing obesity before the emergence of late-stage complications as a matter of national security and highlighted that new oral medications are critical. Lastly, Mr. Piltch stated that because there are a lot of interconnected health issues related to obesity, treating obesity as a “front door” can help get more federal funding for evidence-based treatment.
To read more on the subject, check out our recent white paper, “Costs and Consequences: Obesity’s Compounding Impact on the Military Health System.” A recording of the webinar can be found below.
