Attaining and maintaining a healthy weight pays off in reduced health costs and lower life insurance rates. MISSION VIEJO, CA - Spectrum Direct Insurance Services announces a sure way to save money on term life insurance – lose weight! With a reported 65% of American’s weighing in as overweight, the American Obesity Association in Washington, DC found 40% of all US women and 25% of US men are trying to lose weight at any given time. Over $30 Billion dollars was spent last year on attempting to lose weight or maintain a sensible weight. Being overweight costs more than most can imagine – overweight people spend more on life insurance because increases in weight are related to increases in diseases and bad health.

An obese person is more likely to have health issues. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Journal of American Health Administration (JAMA) have both noted that obesity is linked to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. With each extra pound an overweight person carries around, the risk to their health becomes more statistically possible. Simply being overweight can negatively impact a person’s quality of life, increase health risks and require them to pay more for services and products, like life insurance.

How much does being overweight cost consumers when it comes time to purchase life insurance? According to Sy Alter, President of Spectrum Direct Insurance Services “An individual who is 20-30 lbs. overweight but otherwise in good health can purchase life insurance but not at preferred rates. Instead they will pay standard rates losing out on the best possible rate because their weight doesn’t fall into the model that the insurance companies use to identify risk.” The 65% of American’s that are overweight or obese don’t qualify for preferred ratings, and if coverage is available to them it is at standard or table rated rates, which means those extra pounds translate into increased costs. Mr. Alter has been selling life insurance for over 25 years and although rates have fallen on the average, he stated "An overweight person applying for life insurance is going to pay more than a normal weight person, it all comes down to increased risk of illness and death that overweight people face."

Losing weight will bring down more than life insurance costs. A recent study cited obesity as the reason car and commercial air traffic costs are higher. It costs more to transport a heavier body than a lighter one, something no one thinks about when they step on the scale. The more people weigh the more gas they must buy to travel in by car. Mr. Alter summed it up this way “That brownie you bought is going to cost you a lot more than you thought!” He suggests buying a diet book or walking shoes to lose weight, lower insurance costs and improve both health and quality of life. Mr. Alter and all the agents at Spectrum Direct can find the best rates for term life insurance regardless of weight, but the less a consumer weighs, the less a consumer pays.