Converging
Forces
Too Many Tasty Foods, No Time for Exercise
 America
faces a health crisis unlike any in our history. The
crisis does not center on a particular disease but is
a product of our behavior. Americans are taking advantage
of the inexpensive, abundant, and tasty foods available
to them and the many technological gadgets that make
life less labor intensive. The result is Americans are
eating more and moving less nowadays than in past years.
According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 in 10 Americans
are obese and nearly two-thirds are overweight. Obesity
rates have increased over time: from 17 percent in the
1960s, to 23 percent in the 1990s, to 31 percent now.
More alarming, our children appear to be gaining weight
at a faster rate. Along with the increase in obesity
comes an increase in related health problems (diabetes,
heart attacks, and strokes) and medical costs.
The dangerous situation
our Nation now confronts has been emerging for more
than a century. It is the result of massive societal
changes, remarkable advances in technology, and the
steady growth of our national economy. The challenge
we policymakers now face is how to reverse the weight
gain crisis while, at the same time, not infringing
on individual freedom of choice of food intake and physical
activities.
The U.S. Departments
of Agriculture and Health and Human Services recognize
the dilemma and recently cosponsored the National Obesity
Prevention Conference, bringing together a wide range
of disciplines to put the obesity prevention issue on
a sound scientific basis. Food choices, nutrition and
diet, physical exercise, human behavior, new food products,
socioeconomic factors, education, and policy prescriptions
were all covered. The conference was a unique opportunity
to begin developing effective solutions to challenges
presented by the obesity crisis – solutions that
promise not only to improve, but to actually save thousands
of lives each year through effective prevention measures.
One consensus that
emerged from the conference: No magic or simple solution
exists. Progress will be slow but it will come, one
small step at a time. The scientific community will
contribute with new advances, information, and insights
on the complex relationship among food, eating behavior,
nutrition, and health. The food industry will develop
new foods that are tasty and healthy. Economists will
help us better understand the costs associated with
poor food choices. Physical exercise professionals will
develop activities that people can fit into their busy
lifestyles. Federal and local governments will partner
and provide resources. Nevertheless, the most important
factor of all is the determination of the American people
to overcome the converging forces of poor diets and
lack of exercise.
Joseph Jen
Undersecretary for Research, Education, and Economics
U.S. Department of Agriculture |
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