| Popis: |
According to the WHO report of 2014, 5 people die every minute and 7,671 persons die each day from obesity related complications in the world [36]. Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risks for global deaths. In June 2013, the American Medical Association recognized obesity as an epidemic. In Cameroon, the prevalence in 2014 stood at 9.6%, second highest in CEMAC after Gabon 15% (WHO 2014). Following this background, the main objective of this paper is to assess the financial cost and benefits and the Average Cost-Benefit Ratio (ACBR) of obesity treatment in the Bamenda Municipality. Specifically, this paper compares the cost and benefit of obesity treatment and calculates the average cost-benefit Ratio of obesity treatment. To ascertain this objective, use is made of exploratory, descriptive and primary and secondary data is employed. Primary data was collected from 100 hypertensive and 100 diabetes individuals age 20 and above from the Bamenda general hospital. Used was also made of information collected during a six month participatory observation at 2 separate gyms. Secondary data was gotten from WHO and National Cancer Institute. Results show a yearly cost of obesity treatment of 492,000 and a yearly benefit of obesity treatment of 6,677,250 giving a net benefit of 6,185,250fcfa for treating obesity annually. The results also give an ACBR of 0.07 indicating a weight loss project is worthwhile. From the findings we recommend a massive sensitization on the consequences of obesity and the creation of an obesity rehabilitation centre for those who lack motivation and discipline needed to treat obesity. |
