Eating up Medicare benefits

As if the old folks don't feel plenty guilty already, living long enough to run through Social Security and Medicare budgets like there's no tomorrow. Now they're told that if they don't lose those extra pounds, they're going to cost future generations even more in Medicare dollars.

Among those already 65 and the hordes of baby boomers aging down the pike, being overweight or obese is not just a personal health problem, according to a study in the June Health Services Research. It's a public health disaster waiting to happen. "Being overweight or obese is not only a personal issue that affects one’s health but is also a public health issue that impacts other people in society," according to a news release.

Researchers at Emory University found that treating overweight and obese elderly people will cost Medicare 6% to 17% more than treating a normal-weight elderly person.

From age 65 to death, people who are overweight or obese could add billions of dollars to Medicare costs.

So losing some weight is not only good for you. It'll save those grandchildren some heavy-duty tax dollars.

-- Susan Brink