Despite plenty of discussion, debate, and growing awareness, the U.S. continues to trail other developed countries when it comes to both the cost and quality of health care.

From the obesity epidemic to regulation to increased transparency, the causes — and potential solutions — will continue to shape our national consciousness until we figure out a better way.

The high costs of obesity

Fast-food meals aren't the only things being supersized these days. As employees continue to grow larger, so do the expenses of their employers. Obesity costs businesses more than $73 billion annually in higher health care costs and reduced productivity, according to numerous studies. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, says Eric Finkelstein, Ph.D., associate professor at Duke-National University of Singapore.

"Employers need to create a culture of wellness within the worksite, such that being healthy is the default," he says. By his definition, one in three Americans is obese, with about another 40 percent overweight. This excess weight significantly increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain kinds of cancer.

• How did researchers arrive at the $73 billion figure?

• Obese workers are absent an average of one more week each year than employees of normal weight.

• Obese employees spend 77 percent more on necessary medications than non-obese people.

• Medical expenses are 42 percent higher for an obese person than for a normal-weight person.

The average annual medical costs of an obese person are $1,400 (or 42 percent) higher than for someone whose BMI is in the normal range.