This can have a major impact on the health outcomes of obese people, with ongoing serious problems and early and increased mortality much higher for those who are morbidly obese and do not have health insurance when compared with those who are morbidly obese and do have health insurance (Frangou 2009). Perhaps surprisingly, obesity is just as much of a problem in some countries that provide access to adequate and appropriate healthcare to all of their citizens, such as the United Kingdom (Collins 2009). Western Europe has seen a rise in obesity very similar to that of North America's (and the United States' particularly), and close to one-half of the United Kingdom's population is now morbidly obese (Collins 2009). Overall health outcomes are slightly better in the UK, due to more complete access to preventative care for...

(2010). "Childhood overweight and obesity." American Academy of Pediatrics. Accessed 1 June 2010. http://www.aap.org/obesity/academy_obesity_initiatives.html
Collins, a. (2009). "UK Obesity Statistics." Accessed 1 June 2010. http://www.annecollins.com/obesity/uk-obesity-statistics.htm

Fangou, C. (2009). "Millions of Poor, Uninsured Miss Out on Bariatric Surgery." General surgery news. Accessed 1 June 2010. http://www.generalsurgerynews.com/index.asp?section_id=410&show=dept&issue_id=558&article_id=13821