Campaign Priorities: Policy Solutions with Measurable Results
The toll is shocking: 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 5 American children struggle with obesity. In 1996, no state had an adult obesity rate above 20 percent. In 2008, 49 states did.
Obesity is now the country’s costliest medical condition. Taxpayers, governments and businesses spend billions on obesity-related conditions each year, including an estimated $147 billion in medical costs.
The solution to this epidemic sounds simple, but obesity is a complex disease, reflecting changes in our lifestyles, schools, families, businesses, communities and even the way we interact with the health care system. As with other pressing U.S. public health challenges – like encouraging Americans to smoke less and use seat belts – public policies are needed to create the environment for change.
With this in mind, the Campaign to End Obesity – representing concerned leaders from industry, academia, public health and associations – encourages Congress to take the following steps to reverse the obesity epidemic and improve Americans’ health.
Recognize obesity as a disease Obesity is the country’s costliest medical condition, contributing to the prevalence of more than 60 chronic diseases. Yet no federal policy recognizes obesity as a disease itself; beyond rare cases of bariatric surgery, its treatment isn’t covered by federal health plans. Unless that policy changes, most Americans won’t receive obesity screening, preventive services or treatment until they develop related conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.
Prevent and treat obesity by screening BMI and body composition in adults and children Body mass index (BMI), a simple calculation of weight and height, is the most widely accepted measurement of an individual’s body composition. Like blood pressure and cholesterol readings, BMI should be a health “vital sign.” Yet BMI is not monitored for most participants in federal health programs; that creates a barrier to the needed first step in preventing or reversing obesity – knowing whether we are at a healthy weight. The Campaign urges Congress to support BMI and body composition screening through all available measures. Find your BMI here. For children and teens, please consult the CDC’s online calculator.
Align federal food programs with nutritional guidelines and make healthy foods affordable and accessible to those most at risk Our schools and federal food programs must not only be models of good nutrition, but – given the extent to which they are a primary food source for so many Americans – they must facilitate healthy eating. For many reasons, economically disadvantaged Americans are at particular risk for overweight and obesity. Federal food programs should improve the access and affordability of healthy foods in communities of need, ensure that all foods sold at schools meet the Institute of Medicine’s nutritional guidelines. Congress should also extend education programs to help those most at risk make healthy, culturally relevant food choices.
Coordinate the federal response to reversing the obesity epidemic Coordinated federal action will maximize the impact of anti-obesity policies. The Campaign urges the establishment of a United States council on overweight-obesity prevention and an Executive Branch coordinating office to oversee and streamline all federal obesity-related initiatives. We urge, moreover, that these efforts be enhanced with a focused, yet significant public awareness campaign about obesity’s risks, prevention and treatment. Further, the Executive Branch should demonstrate its commitment to Americans’ healthy weight by mandating that executive actions be reviewed for whether they help to reverse the nation’s obesity epidemic.
Make it easier for Americans to be active and fit When people don’t have safe places to move or play, they’re less likely to be active. Indeed, a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that people who live in easy walking distance of shops and businesses lower their risk of obesity by 35 percent. Congress should continue to fund strategies to improve the nation’s infrastructure in ways that encourage physical activity, and to support measures that promote physical fitness for children and adults.
Support incentives for workplace wellness A 2008 report by the Conference Board concluded that obesity costs U.S. companies as much as $45 billion a year in medical expenses and lost workdays. Many employers identify employee fitness as an economic imperative: to remain competitive, they need healthy, productive workers. Congress can support workplace health by offering tax incentives for employee wellness measures, for companies large and small.
Increase federal support for obesity research Obesity increases the incidence of more than 60 chronic diseases and triggers unsustainable medical costs. Further research will help federal and state policymakers address the epidemic by identifying new evidence-based strategies for obesity prevention and treatment. The Campaign encourages Congress to expand its commitment to obesity research.
