Obesity has become a major problem in the U.S. A growing number of adults and children are living unhealthy lifestyles. Carrying around extra weight can also lead to a variety of other health conditions.

Those who are overweight are more likely to develop high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, for example. Both conditions are costly to the healthcare system and can be avoided in most cases.

Childhood obesity is particularly rampant in Georgia, which has the second-highest rate in the country. Avoiding unhealthy foods and watching portion sizes can help people lose weight.

Child Wellness at Children's Hospital medical director Dr. Stephanie Walsh says combating obesity requires everyone's efforts.

"The crisis of childhood obesity is the responsibility of every Georgia citizen," says Walsh. "As a society, we need to take ownership and act immediately on this issue for the sake of the future health of Georgia's population."

According to the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, it's estimated that nearly 17 percent of of those between the ages of 2 and 19 are obese. Action will need to be taken to reduce the trend of obesity.

The restaurant industry employs a large number of part-time employees. In some cases a limited medical plan, or mini-med plan, is extended to the staff. Those plans may no longer be available by some companies because of costs.

Under healthcare reform, companies will be required to pay for 80 to 85 percent of premiums, which may be more than some financially strapped restaurants can afford. According to a survey by the Hay Group and the Chain Restaurant Compensation Association, 54 percent of employers are considering dropping the mini-med plans.

Recently, McDonalds made headlines for voicing its concerns over being able to offer the plans to their employees.

Hay Group principal John Hennessy says reform may negatively impact some people's access to affordable care.

"Limited medical plans offer low-cost coverage to part-time and full-time hourly workers who otherwise might not be able to afford coverage at all," says Hennessy. "However, employees' access to limited medical plans may be in danger with healthcare reform mandates on the horizon, as the coverage is unlikely to meet the minimum standards of acceptable coverage."

Those who find they can no longer obtain coverage at work can look into individual health insurance plans.

One of the best ways to treat a condition may be to prevent it from happening altogether. In addition to living a healthy lifestyle, it's also important for people to get preventative care.

Consumers and the medical industry can save a large sum of money by not having to treat patients for conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, for example.

According to a study that looked at those who participated in the U.S. Preventative Medicine Prevention Plan, 64 percent were able to lower their health risk status.

U.S. Preventive Medicine vice chairman Dr. Ronald Loeppke says too many people are falling victim to conditions that can be avoided.

"More and more Americans today are succumbing to preventable lifestyle risks that erode the quality and length of their life and this trend will create a tsunami of increased utilization of medical services, flooding our healthcare system and leaving an overwhelming economic burden on our society," says Loeppke.

Reducing healthcare costs may make it easier for people to find affordable health insurance quotes, experts say, due to expenses being less overall.

While finding affordable health insurance quotes and overall healthcare costs are frequently discussed, there is another important component to the medical industry - service. Providing quality care can impact the success of a doctor's practice in addition to one's well-being.

The American Medical Association is teaming up with Press Ganey Associates to help doctors obtain feedback from their patients. The program, RealTime, collects data so physicians can learn how to better serve customers. The report shows trends and comparisons without identifying a specific patient.

Press Ganey vice president of medical services Patricia Riskind says the data can be utilized to yield positive results.

"Electronic surveys are proven to work, and the results are empowering," says Riskind. "We help physician practices overcome one of the greatest obstacles to improving satisfaction and loyalty - the lack of actionable results."

Improving service and care will affect a number of patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2009 National Health Interview Survey says more than 80 percent of adults and more than 90 percent of children had contact with a healthcare employee in the U.S.

Many people think of drugs as a teen problem. However, research from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows that it is increasingly becoming a problem among older adults.

The number of patients between the ages of 45 and 64 being treated for medication and illicit drug conditions increased more than 100 percent between 1997 and 2008.

HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrator Pamela Hyde says this is a negative trend.

"Substance abuse is rising, and drug abuse of all kinds is exploding as a major public health concern for our country," says Hyde. "The challenge for our health care practitioners is to see that patients receive medications when there is medical need but also to help prevent the adverse health consequences from drug use."

The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that many medications are beneficial for patients when taken properly. Adverse health consequences can arise, including addiction, when patients don't take medications according to physicians' orders. They note that the most commonly abused medications fall into three categories: opioids, CNS depressants, stimulants.