While Texans are proud of the sentiment implied by the expression, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” such pride is misplaced when it comes to healthy Texans.
ARLINGTON, Texas (Business Wire EON) October 9, 2008 --
While Texans are proud of the sentiment implied by the expression, “Everything
is bigger in Texas,” such pride is misplaced
when it comes to healthy Texans.
According to HealthyAmericans.org, Texas is the 12th
fattest state in the U.S. with 64.1 percent of adults categorized as
overweight or obese. According to the State Comptroller’s
office, obesity cost Texas businesses $3.3 billion in 2005.
With rising healthcare costs and insurance premiums, Texas businesses
are bearing the brunt of this unhealthy epidemic.
HighPoint Patient Services owns the only GE Lunar iDXATM in Tarrant
County. iDXA, which stands for Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry, is
considered by clinicians to be exceptionally accurate at measuring body
composition because it shows exactly where fat, lean and bone tissue is
located.
“Physicians and patients can monitor
weight-loss with pinpoint accuracy using HighPoint Patient Services’
Lunar iDXA,” said Dr. Johann Van Beest,
chiropractor and CEO of HighPoint Patient Services. “This
becomes an important piece of the overall health puzzle because of the
data provided. It can assist those who are struggling with obesity,
anorexia nervosa, wasting syndrome caused by HIV/AIDS, cystic fibrosis,
chronic renal failure, and even help athletes make training regimen
decisions to achieve best performance.”
In a survey of Texas companies, employers reported obesity-related
medical conditions as a major factor in the average 27 percent increase
in healthcare costs in 2006. The most prevalent medical conditions
reported were coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and
gastrointestinal disorders. Most of these are directly or indirectly
related to obesity.
Additionally, virtually all companies responding to the survey listed
increased healthcare costs, lost productivity and increased absenteeism
as effects of obesity. No one really knows the cost of these effects on
business’s bottom-line. In response, many
employers offer employees incentives to participate in health and
wellness programs.
Although approved by the FDA in 2005, the Lunar iDXA has only been on
the market for about two years. Most physicians don’t
yet have access to the GE Lunar iDXATM system due to its cost. It is
currently being used by NFL teams like the Green Bay Packers and has
been used on the popular television show, “The
Biggest Loser.”
The Lunar iDXATM was installed at HighPoint Patient Services this May to
analyze lean mass, fat mass and bone density of patients.
HighPoint Patient Services is showing its support of healthy lifestyles
and assisting with clinical diagnosis by offering free total body scans
on the iDXA throughout the month of October.
Although this procedure is not yet reimbursable by medical insurance,
many patients concerned about fitness and weight-loss are willing to pay
for the $149 test to receive percentages of lean and fat body mass with
pinpoint accuracy.
Those interested in a free total body scan should contact Bernadette
Smith of HighPoint Patient Services at (817) 417-8782 to schedule their
20-minute appointment.
Recommended Important Links
http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity/release.php?StateID=TX
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