(Family Features) Obesity is a lifelong health problem that affects more than 42% of American adults and impacts some ethnic and racial groups more than others. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half (47%) of Hispanic American adults live with obesity, making it one of the most serious health risks for Hispanics.

Obesity has been linked to serious conditions including diabetes, heart disease, cancer and digestive health issues, including gastroesophageal reflux disease and liver disease. Many patients do not make the connection between their weight and the impact on these other health conditions. They are unaware these conditions can be prevented and, in most cases, treated successfully by weight management.

“As a gastroenterologist, patients often come to my office for serious health issues such as liver disease, which they don’t realize is caused by obesity,” said Dr. Andres Acosta, an obesity doctor and gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic. “They often don’t know these issues can be prevented or reversed by staying at a healthy weight. This is very important for Hispanic American adults who have higher rates of obesity and liver disease than other ethnicities. Maintaining a healthy weight is an important way to prevent or reverse many conditions before they become severe.”

While some weight-loss programs, services and treatments are covered by insurance plans, many others are not, and without access to affordable, effective treatments, maintaining a healthy weight can be difficult.

There is an urgent need for expanded access to treatment and care, including screening and treatment of obesity from a diverse range of health care providers. This should include coverage of prescription drugs for long-term weight management, behavioral counseling and other prevention and treatment options.

People can act by advocating for changes in state-level policies to expand Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment and care by reaching out to their elected officials.

In addition to advocating for policy changes, consider these important obesity facts:

• Poor lifestyle choices alone do not lead to obesity.
• Certain health conditions caused by obesity can be reversed by losing weight.
• Obesity treatments are available from a variety of health care providers.
• You have the power to advocate for and impact the future of obesity treatment.
• There are many helpful ways patients can try to manage their weight.

To learn more about obesity and how to advocate for expanded access to treatment and care in your state, download the Obesity Coverage State Advocacy Toolkit at patient.gastro.org/obesity-learn-the-facts-beyond-the-scale-for-hispanic-americans to take action today.

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