All levels of society urged to join fight against obesity

Recommendations from an advocacy group are called sound by physicians, but some doubt their feasibility.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. Sept. 18, 2006.

Who is responsible for America's ever-expanding waistlines?

We all are, according to the third annual report on the subject, issued last month by the public health nonprofit group, Trust for America's Health.

"This is something we all have to address," said Jeffrey P. Koplan, MD, MPH, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He spoke at the news conference marking the report's release.

Acknowledging that this shared problem may require a shared solution, "F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America" makes 20 recommendations for individuals, families, communities, schools, health professionals, the food industry and government.

For example, people should be concerned about how obesity affects their health. Physicians should routinely assess patients' exercise histories. Community infrastructures should encourage physical activity. And the federal government should take a leadership role and fund obesity research and programs to combat it.

"Individual behavior change doesn't work in isolation. It must be supported by all stakeholders," said Jeff Levi, PhD, the TFAH's executive director. "And it's not just about eating and it's not just about physical activity. It's about the interaction of the two."

This report is the latest salvo in the war against skyrocketing obesity rates. Obesity has increased from affecting 15% of the adult population in 1980 to 32% in 2004.

During the same period, pediatric obesity increased from 5% to 17%.