According to projections, nearly 3
out of 4
American adults could suffer from
overweight or obesity by the time the next
President of the
United
States takes
office.[1] Yet despite healthcare’s prominence as
a Presidential campaign issue, few candidates have
issued plans to address the obesity epidemic –
which already costs the
U.S.
more than $117 billion per year.
Polls indicate that Americans are
concerned about the epidemic. Adults ranked
childhood obesity as one of the top three most
important health problems today – above cancer,
teen pregnancy, alcohol abuse, driving accidents,
and many others. [2] Similarly, a 2007 Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation poll indicated that Americans
are most concerned about developing obesity,
diabetes, and cardiovascular disease – the latter
two often being byproducts of the first[3] - than
about any other diseases.
National polls have also shown that
people favor policy solutions to the obesity
problem. Almost 90 percent of Americans believe
that schools should provide at least 30 minutes of
activity each day, that the government should fund
more recreation programs, and that only healthy
foods should be offered in schools.[4]
But polls are not enough to inspire
the current candidates to address obesity with a
comprehensive policy platform. Voters must
demand that our next president make obesity the
national priority it should be. A
comprehensive obesity prevention and treatment
policy platform should include policies that:
-
Increase access to and reinforce
promotion of physical activity.
-
Update Medicare, Medicaid,
Veteran's, and other health programs to allow
for better access to and coverage for prevention
and treatment of obesity.
-
Increase access to and promotion
of healthy foods.
For a guide to talking with the
candidates about obesity, click here.
[1] “The Public Health Effects of
Sprawl,” Congressional Briefing Summary by
Environmental and Energy Study Institute.
(2
October 2003) http://www.eesi.org/publications/Briefing%20Summaries/10.2.03%20Sprawl%20Briefing%20Summary.pdf.
26 June
2005
[2] C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
National Children’s Health Poll. March
2007.
[3] Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
February
6, 2007. http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?id=15958&typeid=142
[4] Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
April 2006. http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?id=15214&typeid=142
