Fighting Obesity Trends

Most people know that obesity continues to be a problem in the US with one in every three children either overweight or obese but what seems to be a point of discussion is the cause. Scientific evidence indicates that the bottom-line cause is consuming more calories than you burn but what remains a question is whether calories consumed play a bigger role than calories burned.

A new documentary sets out to look at the problem of obesity and while it might cause you to think about what you are doing it also puts a bit too much blame on one aspect of the obesity problem – the food industry. The documentary “Fed Up” debuted on May 9. The film focuses on the excess consumption of sugar and how that impacts weight gain – which of course is a concern but the suggestion that the Food Industry, and School Lunch, is intentionally boost calories in food by boosting sugar intake, is a bigger concern.

So you ask – what are the facts when it comes to obesity? As you might expect they aren’t simple but some are very clear.  According to the US Department of Agriculture statistics –

    “In 1970, Americans consumed an estimated 2,109 calories per person per day; whereas in 2010, they consumed an estimated 2,568 calories. Of this 459-calorie increase,

-        grains (mainly refined grains) accounted for 180 calories;

-        added fats & oils, 225 calories;

-        added sugar & sweeteners, 21 calories;

-        dairy fats, 19 calories;

-        fruits and vegetables, 12 calories;

-        meats, eggs, and nuts, 16 calories. “ 1

At the same time only one in three children are physically active each day and less than 5% of adults get the recommended physical activity each day. So if you look at those two facts – more calories going in and fewer going out it becomes a fact that can’t be ignored.

As it relates to the documentary’s claim that school lunch and the food industry are causing a decline in nutritional quality and an increase in calories, the evidence would seem otherwise. School Lunches have made a Huge shift to healthier options with the implementation of the Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This act has shifted grains to whole, added more fruits and vegetables, reduced the fat and sodium in school lunches, and it provides guidance for foods sold on campus but outside of the school lunchroom. The final phase of the Hunger-Free Kids Act takes effect this fall with more changes to whole wheat options and sodium levels.

The food industry has implemented many changes to food preparation; reducing sodium content of many packaged foods, lowering sugar in flavored milks, providing more appropriate sized portions and in general responding to consumer requests for better options. The restaurant industry has also implemented many changes to how foods are prepared and many now provide more, better for you options.

The bottom-line is that reducing the incidence of overweight and obesity is not only multipronged but it requires work by all of us to make changes, advocate for changes and then of course purchase and support better for you foods and/or restaurants. Instead of being fed-up why not be fueled-up to make positive changes.

 Connie Diekman, M.Ed., RD, CSSD

Nutrition Communications Consultant