America is getting fatter, and the costs of obesity-related
health care are astronomical. According to a recent study by the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the United States spends as much
as $147 billion a year on obesity-related health care.
That represents 9.1 percent of total health care spending, up
from 6 percent in 1998.
As the debate over health care and cost-containment continues,
it's clear that slimming down Americans must be part of the
solution.
Reversing this trend will not be easy. Currently, three-quarters
of Americans are either overweight or obese, the CDC said, with the
average American weighing 23 pounds more than he should.
While personal health habits are individual choices -- and
responsibilities -- the new director of the CDC, Thomas Frieden,
understands that more than individual effort is required.
Recently, the CDC put out a list of community recommendations for
fighting obesity.
The recommendations range from simple (making healthier food and
beverage options available at schools, city and county buildings,
prisons and other public service venues) to more difficult
(encouraging full-grocery stores to locate in underserved areas).
Frieden, who served as New York City's health commissioner for
seven years, is an advocate of increased taxes on sugary beverages
and requiring restaurants to post calorie counts with their menus.
He believes a full-fledged effort akin to the government's anti-
tobacco crusade could help reduce obesity.
The factors contributing to this obesity epidemic are numerous.
-- Americans are addicted to high-fat, high-sodium foods. In his
new book, "The End of Overeating," former head of the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration David Kessler explains how sugar, fat and salt
impact the brain, and how restaurants and food producers take
advantage of that to hook Americans on unhealthy fare.
-- Junk food is generally cheaper than healthy food. Low-income
Americans end up eating high-calorie, low-nutrition food because
it's what they can afford.
-- Cities and suburbs are too often hostile to pedestrians and
bikers.
-- Children are spending too much time in front of televisions
and video games, and too many schools have reduced or eliminated
physical activity from the school day.
There are potential public responses to all of these, and Frieden
may be on the right track in contemplating a full-spectrum public
campaign.
Fat is quickly becoming the new normal in America, and it is
costing Americans dearly -- both individually and collectively.
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