The implications of an unhealthy diet have far reaching economic outcomes. Poor diets are associated with numerous diseases such heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, stroke, osteoporosis, many cancers (colon, prostate, mouth, throat, esophagus, lung, and stomach). Four of those diseases are in the top six leading causes of death in the U.S (Jamison DT, Breman JG, Measham AR, et al., editors; 2006).
If we take a closer look at just one of the many possible health related issues that occur from an improper diet we will be able to do some cost comparisons of a healthy diet and healthcare. According to the Diabetes Association, 26 million or 8.3% of Americans suffer from diabetes. 79 million Americans are pre-diabetic. If the current trends continue, by the year 2050, one in three Americans will be diabetic. The Diabetes Association estimated the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in 2012 was $254 billion. An individual diagnosed with diabetes incurred an average of $13,700 in medical