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In April of 2002 the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
officially recognized obesity as a disease, making it far
easier for American taxpayers to trim their tax bills and
waistlines at the same time. The step is an important one,
not so much because of savings to taxpayers (the deduction
really has only limited value), but more because it marks
a shift in government point of view.
Whether it's due to unhealthy lifestyles that lead to obesity,
or to the obesity itself, overfat people suffer greater risk
for disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart
disease. Excess body fat is also strongly linked to depression
and poor self-esteem. One recent study suggested that obesity
exacts an even higher toll on health than smoking or drinking
and raises an individual's lifetime health care costs by a
whopping 36%.
Clearly, reversing the rising tide of obesity is important.
A potential tax break offers a kind of official recognition
that's encouraging. After all, it's estimated that the total
cost of overweight/obesity in the U.S. approaches $100 billion
annually, with about half of that spent in preventive, diagnostic
and treatment services.
What's Covered and What's Not
Deducting weight loss expenses from taxes isn't new for
Americans. But in the past, we could do it only if weight
loss was undertaken at a physician's direction to treat other
diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiovascular
disease. The difference now: The IRS recognizes obesity itself
as a disease worth treating.
Thus, American taxpayers may deduct the cost of weight loss
programs without having to show that the weight loss was undertaken
to treat another disease. An individual who has been diagnosed
as obese by a physician may deduct the cost of "diagnosis,
cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention," according
to the IRS.
Weight loss programs, behavioral counseling, pharmaceuticals
and surgery all qualify with one caveat. As always, medical
expenses of any kind are deductible only after they exceed
7.5% of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income and if they are
not reimbursed by insurance. If you meet that criteria for
1999 or 2000 (and 1998 if you have an extension to file),
you can amend those returns.
On the other hand, weight loss expenses for cosmetic reasons
or general good health are not deductible nor are personal
trainers, health club memberships or diet- related foods.
Bottom line: The new IRS rules are most likely to
benefit only those who have a sizeable amount of other
unreimbursed medical expenses that can piggyback onto weight
loss expenses to bring total deductions above 7.5% of adjusted
gross income.
Not Just Weight Loss
While we at Green Mountain are happy to see the government
taking steps to support individuals' efforts to take charge
of their health, we know it's just a beginning. The next steps
need to go further to identify standards for treatment. A
weight loss program should have documented that it works before
it could qualify as a deductible expense. (See sidebar "Choosing
a Weight Loss Program.)
In case that ever happens, we want to state it loud and
clear now: When it comes to measuring success, a smaller body
size may not always be part of the picture. And if it is,
it still may not be the most important part. What counts most
is not whether a body qualifies as obese on a weight chart,
or whether a person reaches "ideal" weight (whatever
that is). Instead, what counts is whether that body, whatever
its size, is generally considered healthy in terms of physical
and emotional well-being, and supports its inhabitant in her
life aims.
Still, the new IRS regulations are a start. And if they
can help women along the path to health, fitness and increased
self-esteem, we say good. It's about time. And certainly,
most of us will take all the help with our taxes we can get!
For 37 years, Green Mountain at Fox Run has developed and refined a life-changing program exclusively for women seeking permanent strategies for healthy weight loss and healthy eating. More than just another weight loss retreat and spa, and definitely not a fat camp, Green Mountain combines proven science with what works in the real world, to offer an innovative non-diet lifestyle program. Our core weight loss program offers an integrated curriculum of practical, liveable techniques that helps women take charge of their eating, their bodies and their health. Unlike health fitness spa or adult weight loss camps, our approach is not focused on managing binge eating or just losing weight, but on how to maintain a healthy weight and healthy lifestyle. Our participants' long-term weight loss success is among the highest of any weight loss program, as documented in peer-reviewed scientific literature. Learn more about our women's weight loss program
©2006 Green Mountain at Fox Run, Ludlow,
Vermont. This information is the property of Green Mountain
at Fox Run. Permission to use single copies for personal,
noncommercial use is authorized. For all other purposes,
please see details.
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