There is finally
(semi) good news relating to U.S. obesity rates----obesity among adults seems
to be leveling off. At a time when over a third of adults are obese, or more
than 35 pounds above ideal body weight, any change is welcome. In 2012, 78
million adults were obese, and according to the National Center for Health
Statistics, over 50 million were white. There has not been a significant change
in the percentage of obese adults in the U.S. since 2004, when the adult
obesity rate was 32%; in 2012, it was reported to be 34.9%. This new analysis is based on data from the National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which is a survey of people whose
weight and height are actually measured rather than being self-reported, making
it more reliable. Some other statistics of interest include that there was no
significant change in obesity in men or women, and that the obesity rate among
Asians was the lowest out of all the demographics. While it is promising to
hear that the adult obesity rate is leveling off and not increasing as it has
in past years, we should not be too quick to celebrate. Over one third of all
adults are still obese, and obesity is a harmful epidemic that can cause a
multitude of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems. We
need to concentrate on publicizing the downfalls of an unhealthy lifestyle and
promote healthy eating and physical activity. Additionally, the U.S. needs to
consider lowering the costs of organic foods and specialty items and placing a
tax on unhealthy food, just as Canada and countries in the United Kingdom
have. This would definitely eliminate part of the problem.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/17/obesity-rate-levels-off/2895759/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/17/obesity-rate-levels-off/2895759/
Semia,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your article quite a bit. What I found to be most interesting in your discussion was the suggested use of a tax on unhealthy food. While I agree that the use of a tax would be effective in changing the buying behavior of a group of people, there is one consideration that must be made before enacting such a policy. When looking at a tax it becomes important to look at who that tax would effect.
Because many people who live in low income situations depend heavily on subsidized "unhealthy food" to survive, a tax on such food items may cause choleric shortages in that same group. For that reason, it may be a good idea to look at another way of forcing the same behavioral change. One such alternative is a tax break for farmers who grow fruits and vegetables that are associated with a more nutrient dense diet. The reason for this being effective stems from a series of studies which suggest low income individuals (those highest at risk for being obese) are fully willing to purchase healthier groceries, they simply do not have the economic means to do so. In short by making those items which low income people demand cheaper, we could reduce the amount of risk factors present, thus controlling the incidence rate associated with obesity in the United States.
Excellent point Sean. I think our initial gut reaction is to try the same thing with obesity that we tried with tobacco. We've already seen this take place in the form of the "soda pop tax" and the "hamburger tax" but I agree that a blanket tax on unhealthy food may lead to more food insecurity. Sometimes the taxes come from good intentions but we often fail to realize the unintended consequences that could result from such efforts. This is why public health includes such a broad focus because we have to think about a broad array of implications before enacting policy change. I think most public health professionals agree that systems level changes like the subsidies you suggest are a key piece of the puzzle in terms of changing unhealthy eating behaviors. The demand is there but the dollars are not.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting article, and it's unfortunate that this type of "positive" news represents the current obesity epidemic in America. I am not shocked that obesity rates have plateaued, since it is such a long-term and chronic condition. I don't have any better solutions in mind as far as taxing to try to decrease the consumption of unhealthy foods; given the uproar about the "soda tax", I doubt anything like that would be successful. I think this public health issue is very interesting and unique in that it is the combination of numerous daily choices and factors that have created the obesity epidemic. Also, and interesting statistic was that obesity rates were highest for middle aged adults. I wonder if this is due to factors such as stress and being over-worked, or due more to a generational difference in eating and exercise behaviors.
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