The Story: An overweight employee at a pizza shop in the USA received a back injury from a freezer door. It was decided that he needed surgery to improve his back. His employers agreed to pay for the surgery for the back, but were then told he would first need a “weight-loss” operation to make the operation on his back successful. He weighs 340 pounds ( 24 stone).
The employer refused to pay. A court in Indianapolis has now ordered them to pay for both operations.
This is definitely a first of its kind… and is an extreme response to an extreme situation.
It is safe to assume that the back problem was exacerbated by the weight, and therefore a natural reduction in weight would seem to be a better route to health. Although the surgeon’s knife can accomplish amazing results dietary and lifestyle changes can bring about a more natural and permanent solution.
We have often seen patients condition so improved that surgery becomes unnecessary.
A story such as this is making news and obviously has widespread impact for employers and the overweight. It looks like an extreme situation, but stories like these are likely to become more common.
Obesity is growing rapidly. As long ago as 2005 64% of US citizens were overweight or obese, and figures are increasing all the time. Obesity in Britain also continues to rise, with children as young as two now being classified as obese.
An NHS report in February 2009 found that in 2007 24% of the adult population was obese. Roughly a third of adults said they did eat 5 portions of fruit or vegetables a day, and interestingly over two thirds stated that they would like to take more physical exercise.
Unless there is a dramatic shift in behaviour, it looks as though the health of the developed world is in jeopardy. Stories about obesity, heart disease, diabetes as well as surgery and litigation are likely to become commonplace.
