Posts filed under 'Fat March'
If you talk to most life insurance applicants who fall into the obese or morbidly obese categories according the their BMI, they have usually been told that they aren’t insurable or that the prices are so high as to render uninsurable because they can’t afford it.
Let’s not dance around the subject. Life insurance underwriting is all about assessing mortality risk, your chance of dying compared to someone in average health. One of the things they consider are the risk factors that you have and the health issues you might, or in some cases are likely to acquire.
In the case of obesity, it is a known risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. So honestly it is not just the weight that impacts the outcome of the life insurance application, but the compounded perceived risk. Given the risk factors, while you may not agree when you have to pay higher premiums, life insurance companies are actually pretty generous with their build charts.
As I was running quotes for a person 5′11 and 395 pounds today, I was impressed by the fact that, number one, he was insurable and number two, while he may not be able to afford all he wants, he can still afford to make sure that his family is taken care of. Back when I did a series of blogs on the TV show Fat March, it generated a lot of attention to see the contestants on that show go from uninsurable to insurable, to great rates as their weight came down. Probably the most important aspect of that show and that series of blogs was the great discussion it generated over not just life insurance rates, but how life style changes could have such a huge positive impact on health and longevity.
Bottom line. If your only issue impacting life insurance at this point is weight, bite the bullet and find an independent agent to shop for the best possible rate for you. The picture isn’t going to get any prettier if you drag your feet and other health issues pop up and compound the issue. While there is a point where weight alone can keep you from getting traditional life insurance, chances are you aren’t there even if you’ve had a decline letter or two.
October 7th, 2008
I have often written about the downside of life insurance underwriting of weight issues, but there actually an upside. Back when I was posting weekly about the reality TV shows Fat March and Biggest Loser, while I did point out the health issues that can be caused by obesity, I also provided some very good news when it comes to the prices that a few companies offer on people with weight issues.
Let’s face it. We live in a heavier America than I grew up in. That being a reality drives home the need for affordable life insurance for those who are overweight, even obese, but really don’t have any health issues. Gaining weight doesn’t generally impact your health adversely for some time. It is the years of your body working to accommodate all the extra pounds that eventually takes it’s toll. So, before that happens, or while you’re in the process of getting your weight under control, consider putting life insurance in force.
To kind of put this into context, let’s assume a 50 year old male is looking for $250,000 of 20 year term insurance. No health issues, but his build is 6′, 260#. With most companies that will be approved at a standard rate based on the average build chart. This surprises clients occasionally. Yes, companies have build charts and yes, your build does impact your rate class.
The best rate available for our client is $510 annually with Savings Bank Life. West Coast Life isn’t far behind at $542.50. But what if his weight happens to be 280#? Because you have knocked the back wall out of Savings Bank’s build chart their rate would jump to $735 annually. West Coast Life would still be at $542.50.
This is another one of those times, you guessed it, when you really need to have an independent agent who can shop all of the companies and find out where to accommodate both your budget and those extra pounds. Once you have that coverage in force, work on your weight and let your agent work on acquiring lower rates as you slim down.
Bottom line. Insurance is going to cost you more if you are overweight than the rates you see advertised, but don’t let that stop you from doing the right thing. Get coverage in force and know that your responsibilities are taken care of.
June 19th, 2008
In previous blogs I covered the ABC weight loss reality show Fat March. The mode of operation was to walk 580 miles from Boston to DC. The weight loss was dramatic, but I mentioned in more than one post that it seemed that the single focus exercise and the brutal amount of it was probably not the kind of balanced approach that most trainers would recommend.
With Biggest Loser the process is more well rounded, and the weight loss not nearly as dramatic on a weekly basis, but in the long haul I think we will see overall results that are dramatic and the participants will come away with a better knowledge of physical fitness and how to maintain it.
Having said that, again, the drama and game of the show is not my focus. Obesity carries some very heavy baggage with it in the form of collateral health issues. Losing weight can be what it takes to avoid diabetes, heart disease or cancer. My only goal in following Biggest Loser is to call attention to those health issues and how weight and weight loss impact life insurance rates.
My disclaimer (again). There is an assumption as I provide quotes that there are no underlying health issues. Because insurance companies reward long term weight loss, there will be an assumption that the weight loss has been kept off for more than a year. All life insurance quotes are for $250,000 of 20 year term insurance. I will be using the company that will make the best offer at any given height and weight. All quotes will be yearly premiums.
Blue team
Kae – 27, 5’2, Start 225#, now 178 - Start quote $310.00, no $202.00
Neil – 25, 6’2, Start 421#, now 355 - Start quote $560.00, still $441.00
Nicole, 26, 5’6, Start 279#, now 248 - Start quote $344.00, still $310.00
Ryan, 29, 5’10, Start 374#, now 320 - Start quote $610.00, still $478.00
Red Team
Amy, 28, 5’6, Start 297#, now 265 - Start quote $413.00, still $349.00
Bryan, 29, 6’0, Start 346#, now 304 - Start quote $544.00, still $413.00
David, 31, 6’0, Start 368#, now 323 - Start quote $622.00, still $428.00
Black Team
Bill, 40, 5’8, Start 334#, now 268 - Start quote $912.00, now $640.00
Hollie, 28, 5’7, Start 255#, now 225 - Quote $319.00, still $225.00
Isabeau, 21, 5’8, Start 298#, now 259 - Start quote $344.00, still $300.00
Jez, 24, 5’8, Start 345#, now 295 - Start quote $570.00, still $448.00
Julie, 34, 5’2, Start 218#, now 195 - Start quote $388.00, still $250.00
Throw out the games and the voting off, the drama and the money, and what you have is real people working hard to reclaim their lives. Hopefully those that leave the show early, and some have them have lost significant weight, will see a new lifestyle that will open door to a better future.
Bottom line. Weight loss can happen for anyone who is willing to make the commitment and enlist help in the form of someone to be accountable to. Easy? No. Worth it? How can anyone not know the answer to that is YES?
October 17th, 2007
In a series of blogs I followed an ABC reality show called Fat March. One of the participants on that show, Loralie, was there for the express purpose of losing weight because she and her husband wanted to have a baby. At 241 pounds when she started, her doctor suggested that pregnancy was a dangerous option.
In a Reuter’s article a few days ago a study was noted that showed a substantially increased rate of stillbirth among women who were obese. This issue seemed to revolve around the same issues that I have discussed a number of times, the collateral health issues that accompany obesity. It seems that overweight women are more prone to high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy. Obviously these can impact the unborn child.
Another study followed people who were obese or underweight during their teenage years and found that both issues caused fertility problems in both men and women in adulthood.
I have often stressed the collateral health issues of obesity and how they can impact your health, your longevity and yes, your life insurance rates. Life insurance aside though (at least for a minute), obesity can impact your plans for a family in the future.
By the way, Loralie finished Fat March at 185 pounds, and I suspect with a green light for her and her husband to pursue the making of Loralie Jr.
Bottom line. Life insurance underwriters drive home the dangers of obesity with rates that reflect not just the weight, but the collateral issues that can come with it. Although you may feel like the issue of pregnancy hits home more than life insurance, having life insurance in place is also one of those important things to consider when you are planning a family. If you are overweight, find an independent agent that can uncover the best possible rates for your situation. As you lose weight, the same agent will be able to help you get better rates.
September 18th, 2007
Completing my interview of Will Millender, my hope is that his thoughts on obesity and it’s impact on life will help foster further discussion about the problem and how life insurance underwriters view it.
Question: We met through a blog about life insurance and weight issues. At your age 26, is life insurance something you care about?
I’m smart enough to know that if you get things like Life Insurance, or an IRA, or savings account at a young age, it will be more valuable to you than to do so than later on in life. The problem for me is more about money. When you’re making seven bucks an hour and working retail, it’s just not an option. I know I’ll need it. I know that it would be better to prepare now. But there are a lot of people in dire situations, and other, more immediate things take precedent over something long term like Life Insurance.
Question: I know in my first blog that you were one of two people, based on weight alone, that was uninsurable. You kind of blew that off as being funny. Is that really how you feel about being uninsurable?
Ha. It wasn’t funny that I was uninsurable, so much as it was that someone was writing about it. It was just something I didn’t expect someone to come up with. You sit there and search google everyday to read all the blogs where you name is mentioned, and it’s all about the drama on the show, or how inspired someone is to watch you and then all of a sudden, here’s some guy telling you that you can’t get life insurance. It was just random, lol. I’m happy though that I did find it because perhaps it puts Life Insurance more into perspective for me and I’m glad to have started to get to know you and I know that if I do ever decide that it’s the right time to make that decision, that there is someone that has my best interests at heart to contact.
Question: I believe you achieved your goal of losing 100#’s this week. Have you set a new goal? What would you consider your ideal weight to be? Do you believe it is achievable? Do you have a plan to get there?
(Unfortunately I’m still hanging on to 90 lbs. So let’s change the question to “You’re close to achieving your goal of losing 100 pounds, etc…)
I want to eventually be 250 pounds. I’m six feet two inches and I never wanted to be skinny. I’m always going to be at least the “husky” dude, which is where I feel I’ll be comfortable.
The thing I learned on the show is that I should set small goals, instead of worrying about 250. Right now I’m just near hitting that 100 pounds lost mark. Then When I hit 350 will be another victory. Then 300, etc… I’m hoping though that I will be at ideal weight by this time next year.
Question: You mentioned the idea of going to school to study in the nutrition field. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I’m always the type of person that wants to help people. It’s why I’m so good in the customer service field. I’m the person that everyone loved because I would get things done for them, or at least use the best of my abilities to try and solve the problem. So I feel that by going to school for nutrition, or even some type of counseling where I can motivate and help shape peoples lives, I could do a lot of good. I don’t have a set plan because I’m in a position where I have to figure out my day to day life right now. But the one thing I have now that I didn’t before is a vision. I had the idea when the march started of opening an after school center for fat kids where they can learn exercise, nutrition, self defense and goals. So perhaps by my change in vision, I will be able to achieve this idea. Perhaps I can make the impossible seem possible now.
Question: What projects are you working on now that the “march” is over?
Well the first thing I’ve done is create my own T-Shirt line. Since my nickname is the Champ, I’ve created a website www.champwear.net where I’m selling shirts with designs that myself and my partner have come up with inspired by my nickname and personality.
I also had the privilege to meet Wendy Wright, on the show, who is a professional singer and who’s become a good friend. I recently went out to L.A. to go hang out with her, and we winded up writing and recording a song together that we’re trying to promote. The lyrics were inspired by our journey and the 10 other friends we’ve made along the way. It can be heard and downloaded on myspace at www.myspace.com/wendyandwillmusic
And anyone that would like to contact me just to say hello, or would like a word of advice and/or encouragement, can contact me at my personal email address at wmillender@gmail.com.
Again, my sincere appreciation to Will for his thoughtful participation in my endeavor to help people battling weight issues. I listened to the song and was impressed. I wish Will all the best and hope he will revisit our blog in the future for an update.
September 14th, 2007
Continuing on with my interview of Will Millender, my hope is that his thoughts on obesity and it’s impact on life will help foster further discussion about the problem and how life insurance underwriters view it.
Question: There is an epidemic of obesity today. If you were raising a child, what insight and ideas would you bring to fatherhood to help your child in his or her ability to control their weight?
My children are going to be nothing like me as far as what my eating habits had become. They’re going to see all the pictures and watch the show and know the pitfalls I had. Me and my future wife, will make sure to study and follow the proper nutrition for our child so they will not only completely avoid the same lifestyle, but not even consider the possibility. I’ll make sure that when my child has problems, the answer will never be food. I’m also considering changing my major in college to nutrition or counseling which I could also bring to the table in helping raise a healthy child.
Question: At what age did you consider yourself to be the fittest that you have ever been?
I’d say I’m now the fittest I’ve ever been. Like I said, I was always the fat kid. Not really active, always eating bad. This time, I really make the effort. I am still struggling with the addictive qualities I have. At home, the weight is coming off a lot slower than some of the other marchers, and quicker than others. I’m happy with where I am at. I go to the gym, I’m gaining muscle that I didn’t have. I make the best attempt at eating right than I ever even considered doing before and I think that’s what’s important. Are the addictive qualities still there? Yes, it’s something I will struggle with for the rest of my life. The difference between then and now is that I choose to fight it. And I choose to not let a single failure, set me up for overall failure.
Question: You have told me about a person you have been helping with his or her quest to lose weight. Has it helped your own resolve to know that you are the support for another person?
I cannot express to you how it feels when someone who has the same problems you’ve faced, calls you because they want you to know that instead of getting drunk and partying, they played beer pong with Diet Pepsi and went to the gym afterwards. Or that they went to the grocery store and bought a food you suggested that they wouldn’t have tried before. So knowing that someone is taking something that I learned and using it themselves, when before they might not have done the same thing, is very empowering.
Question: From your experience describe the kind of support structure or team that is needed to be successful at weight loss.
Well the obvious person is yourself. You need to be the one to make the decisions. You need to be the one that believes in yourself. Because the people that are saying they want to change and then going to McDonalds for lunch everyday are the ones that people see right through their faux sincerity. For me personally though, when I think of someone being there for me, I think of someone that knows I’m going to screw up, or make mistakes and yet not make me feel like crap because of it. Someone that is going to pick me up instead of knocking me down. Someone that is going to go out of their way to get my butt out of bed and get into a gym, or for a walk. This can be a difficult position to give someone though. My girlfriend for example, will say something when she knows I shouldn’t be having something and sometimes I’ll know where she’s coming from and stop. But there are a lot of times where we argue. And it’s not because I think she’s wrong, but I also want to be able to make those decisions when she’s not there. I want to learn to be the one to say stop INSTEAD of her saying it for me because then sometimes you can feel like they’re an authority figure telling you you’re not allowed something rather than someone that is sincere in their caring for you. You know they care about you, but you get so frustrated that someone has to tell you to do something instead of figuring it out for yourself and using that power of control that you know you have somewhere inside you.
Question: What is your driving force behind weight loss? Is it acceptance? Is it the potential health problems that are associated with obesity?
I’ve always been comfortable with my size and who I was. I never made any excuses for being fat. I was just a guy who ate a lot, point blank. I knew, health wise though that 480 pounds was not the right way to live. I have a herniated disk in my back. My knees are shot because of that, and I don’t get around as fast as most people. I knew that I had a girlfriend at home that was so worried about my habits and would tell me on many occasions about how worried she was to have kids because I wouldn’t be able to play with them. I knew that my grandfather has suffered many heart attacks and that my mom and aunt both have a heart arrhythmia and surgeries. These should all have been motivations in themselves but for some reason they weren’t powerful enough to overcome that switch in my brain that I couldn’t turn off. So like I said before, I always knew that a controlled environment was my best chance for success, I just never had the option available. Once I got to the march, I knew that there was no way of screwing up because, seriously, where was I going to get a Snickers in the middle of the woods with no money?
September 14th, 2007
After completing my series of blogs on the reality show Fat March and the reality of how weight and weight loss can affect life insurance rates, I had the pleasure of getting to know and interviewing one of the participants, Will Millender. Over the next 3 posts I will be “airing” that interview. Will has some heartfelt and poignant thoughts on his overweight life that I think are very relevant in the continuing discussion about obesity, health and life insurance.
Question: At what age did your weight problem begin? Tell me a little bit about the progression.
I was always the fat kid. When I was 9 or 10, the doctors would always tell me I had the weight of a 13 year old. The reason was simple. I grew up with a mom who has poor eating habits and passed them on to me. This continued all the way up until leaving for the march. When I say this, I don’t mean to point a finger. When you hit 25 years old, and you still have the problem, yes your environment is partially responsible, but at some point, you have to take personal responsibility.
Question: You have described yourself as addicted to food. Even though this is a fairly recent revelation, in retrospect, what were some of the early signs?
Going back to personal responsibility, I never wanted to take it. That means ignoring any sign that I DID have a problem. I always chalked it up to liking food. I wasn’t really an emotional eater, rather if I had an emotional issue and I was on a diet, it made me not care about the diet anymore, but this happened more often than not. One cheat day would turn into two, two into three, three into a week, etc. The day I finally look myself in the mirror and realized I had an addiction, it was because of a television show. Primetime ABC had a special about obesity and they had an interview with a guy named Michael Hebranko. Here you have a guy that was 900 pounds, lost 700 pounds and ballooned back up to 1,000 pounds. And the first thought I had was “how could this jerk do this to himself, what a loser, this is freaking ridiculous.” And the more he spoke, the more I identified with everything. I remember he said, and I’m paraphrasing, “An alcoholic can put down a drink and never have to have it again, but a food addict has to put a fork back in his mouth to survive.” And all of a sudden for some reason it clicked with me and made sense. I had been looking into “the easy way out”, surgery. I figured it was the answer and yet as much as I wanted to change, here I was on the website, crying, and then eating a half dozen donuts the next day. It was out of control.
Question: We all know about Fat March. What were your other most serious attempts at weight loss? Why did they fail?
I’ve tried Weight Watchers in the past. I’ve tried plain old just eating right. Dieting is not rocket science. Control your portions, be active. Anyone with half a brain can lose weight. But we all have personal freedom of choice. And THAT is where everyone messes up. I can go on any diet I want to. But if I can’t control my hand from grabbing the Twinkie and putting it in my mouth, then what’s the point? The problem I’ve always had is that my brain just will not do the right thing. I don’t understand the physiology of it, but there is something in the brain that just makes me want the wrong thing all the time, and a lot of it. What I always said would be the thing that would work, would be to put everything out of my control and get me started. Literally put my life into someone elses hands where none of the choices were mine. And once I had that foot in the door, I would be able to continue because I’d finally see a difference in myself. That is the thing when you get as big as I was. You look in the mirror, lose 10 pounds, don’t see ANY difference physically, and then ask yourself “why are you even bothering?”. Now when I see a pound or two more than I was, I’m pissed. I’ve since went back on Weight Watchers because that control issue is being worked out, little by little, and it’s a great way to just help you keep track of what you’re doing.
Question: Growing up, how did your family feel about weight control? Were they supportive of your weight gain? Were they supportive of any weight loss?
My family has definately been supportive and wanted me to lose weight. But around here, support is “We know you can do it. Please pass the fried chicken.” It’s really hard to get support from people that are, themselves, doing nothing but drinking regular soda and eating cookies and then have no alternative to offer nor was an alternative really wanted in the first place. My grandparents have always worried too, but eventually, they knew their concern was of no value and stopped voicing it. You can only tell a fatty so many times how worried you are before you don’t care anymore.
Question: What was the competitive eating all about? Did it seem like a way to capitalize on your addiction?
For me, competitive eating was just for fun and got me attention. For once, I was cheered for being able to eat a pizza pie instead of chastised. I could walk down the street and people would stop and recognize me and want to shake my hand. I got on a television show on the Discovery Health channel. Unfortunately, it felt good to know that the problem that made people judge me and stay away from me, was making me popular.
I will continue this over 2 more posts. My thanks to Will for his candid answers.
September 14th, 2007
The ABC reality weight loss show, Fat March, concluded last night with the remaining 6 participants completing a 575 mile walk from Boston to Washington, DC. Plenty of pounds were shed. Plenty of sore knees to show for it.
I have followed Fat March strictly from a life insurance standpoint, hoping that we could share some relevant information out about how obesity affects life insurance rates and the impact that weight loss can have on those rates.
The nature of the show is such that people could be voted off and some were. It’s a shame that those that left the show weren’t able to weigh in at the finish line also, because I know of at least one participant, Will, who continues to lose weight and has actually lost more than any of the people who finished the show.
Again, I will give their beginning and ending weight and their beginning and ending cost of a $250,000 term life policy. Just to reiterate, these quotes assume no other health issues and also assume that the weight loss is maintained for a year. The results were dramatic.
1. Michael started at 319 and is now 239. Start $735, now $277.
2. Chantal started at 250 and is now 199. Start $535, now $262.
3. Sam started at 382 and is now 297. Start $686, now $485.
4. Jami Lynn started at 236 and is now 186. Start $430, now at $142.
5. Loralie started at 241 and is now 185. Start $381, now $220.
6. Shea started at 289 and is now 234. Start $475, now at $210.
Congratulations to all. More than just weight loss, it appeared that all participants came away with a new appreciation of their ability to overcome the past and take control of their lifestyle. Life insurance underwriters reward that. More importantly people who make those changes are rewarded with better health, longer lives, and waking up feeling great.
Bottom line. Obesity is the road to a number of dangerous health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Getting control of a weight problem adds years, quality years to a person’s life.
September 11th, 2007
As the Fat March participants near the end of their 570 mile quest for weight loss, pounds continue to disappear and once again we will analyze the weight loss in the context of what impact it would have on life insurance rates.
A couple of notes on participants that won’t be continuing. Matt, a former professional wrestler, was forced to quit due to the excruciating pain from a knee problem. They showed x rays of his knee and the joint was literally rubbing bone against bone as he walked. He had lost 55 pounds up to the end of the last episode and had lowered his insurance rates for $250,000 or 20 year term insurance from a beginning $613 annual down to $478, a 22% decrease.
Anthony was voted off. He had dropped an impressive 80#’s, from 433#’s to 353#’s. His life insurance rates went from $560 annually, to $441, a 21% decrease.
Even though Will was voted off the show last week, he has been kind of enough to stay in touch. His weight as of last Friday was down to 384#’s from his starting weight of 480#’s. You may remember that at the beginning, Will and Shane were the only two who were uninsurable due to their weight. Will’s current rate would be $500 a year and he is literally just a few pounds from the next lower rate class and also his personal goal of having lost 100#’s.
So, the remaining contestants as of the end of episode 4. Remember, the rates are based on $250,000 of 20 year term insurance. There are no health issues figured in and the rates are based on weight remaining off for more than 12 months.
1. Michael started at 319 and is now 252. Start $735, 4th $420, now $375.
2. Chantal started at 250 and is now 213. Start $535, 4th $421, still $421.
3. Sam started at 382 and is now 314. Start $686, 4th $553, still at $486.4. Jami Lynn started at 236 and is now 198. Start $430, 4th $356, still at $165.
5. Loralie started at 241 and is now 197. Start $381, 4th $225, still at $225.
6. Shea started at 289 and is now 244. Start $475, 4th $310, now at $225.
Bottom line. Dramatic weight loss. Dramatic changes in insurability and insurance rates. Life insurance underwriters know that with the decrease in weight comes a decrease in other risk factors associated to weight such as diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer.
September 4th, 2007
Episode 4, nearly 300 miles into their “march”, I continue to watch the progress both as an interested spectator and a life insurance professional. My goal in following this program has never been to be actively involved in it’s progress, but rather to use the real life examples of the weight loss to illustrate that overweight and obesity do not have to stand in the way of getting life insurance. Further I wanted all to know that it may not take a huge change in weight to make a huge change in life insurance rates.
Will was voted off last night. Will hit the wall and couldn’t work through it and the other participants decided that he was hurting their chances of reaching their own goals. While I understand the team aspect of the program, in real life, you pick your team and you pick a team that will offer you the best chance of success in regards to your own goals. You surround yourself with people whose goals are common, part and parcel, of your own, not money.
Whether it is weight loss, diabetes or cancer, you need to know that your team will be with you through ups and downs and there is no other agenda.
On to the results. Again, based on the best rates I could find for $250,000 of 20 year term insurance, assuming no health issues and also assuming that the weights achieved are kept off for more than a year. First is their starting weight and current weight. Then their beginning life insurance cost, 3rd episode cost and current cost.
1. Michael started at 319 and is now 258. Start $735, 3rd $420, still $420.
2. Chantal started at 250 and is now 221. Start $535, 3rd $421, still $421.
3. Will started at 472 and is now 413. Start uninsurable, 3rd $560, now $500.***
4. Anthony started at 433 and is now 367. Start $560, 3rd $500, now at $441.
5. Sam started at 382 and is now 323. Start $686, 3rd $553, now at $486.
6. Jami Lynn started at 236 and is now 202. Start $430, 3rd $356, now $165.
7. Loralie started at 241 and is now 206. Start $381, 3rd $225, still at $225.
8. Shea started at 289 and is now 255. Start $475, 3rd $410, nowl at $310.
9. Matt started at 389 and is now 336. Start $613, 3rd $525, now at $478.
***final weight
Jami, while not making her goal to break 200 this week, did become the first person to qualify for preferred rates. I understand her frustration when she didn’t reach her goal. No doubt it will come next week and she will no longer be “the 200# woman”.
I think it is important to note why life insurance underwriters seem to be rather heavy handed when dealing with weight, and why the rewards for weight loss can be so significant. From the Center For Disease Control website, the following list of health risks for overweight people was borrowed:
“Overweight and obese individuals are at increased risk for many diseases and health conditions, including the following:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
- Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
- Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)”
These are not health issues to be taken lightly by individuals or life insurance underwriters.
Bottom line. Don’t let your weight get out of control and if it does, seek help. I know there is nothing easy about weight loss, but there isn’t anything easy looking about the list above either.
Don’t go without life insurance just because of your weight. If you can’t afford $250,000, get $100,000. Provide the protection that you can for your family and increase it to the level you really want as your weight comes down.
August 28th, 2007
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