Public Policy Isn’t Helping Any

A new report entitled, F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing America 2006, was released by the Trust for America’s Health. It states that obesity rates continue to climb, up in 31 states during the past year. Obesity rates have more than doubled in adults and more than tripled among children n the last 20 years.

Nine of the 10 states with highest obesity rates are in the south. Not surprisingly 9 of the 10 states with highest rates of diabetes and high blood pressure are in the south as well.

It is obviously important for individuals to take responsibility for their behaviors, and consume a healthier caloric controlled diet and be more physically active. But to facilitate these behavioral changes the report made several recommendations including: improved nutritional content on foods and beverages served and sold in schools; improved physical environment with more sidewalks, parks and bike paths; community driven efforts to increase access to healthier foods in low income areas; better physical fitness curricula in schools; employee sponsored programs to increase physical activity; and better insurance coverage for preventive services.

-Bob Wright

Add comment September 5th, 2006