The obesity epidemic: positive change on the horizon
A worrisome problem of international proportions, obesity's effect on public health has been the subject of increased media attention, as rates of overweight and obesity continue to rise in the United States and worldwide. However, it looks like positive changes are on the horizon at the global level, in schools, on food labels, and even in the food and beverage industry.
The World Health Organization (WHO) began sounding the global obesity (or "globesity") alarm back in the 1990s, and has run public awareness campaigns aimed at "making healthy choices easy choices." Recently, WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) collaborated to attempt to change the way people everywhere eat and exercise. The two groups united to create a global strategy to deal with the rising rates and public health impact of certain chronic diseases – including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancers – that can be caused by or linked to unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity.
Schools making strides
To address the issue of obesity among school-aged children, many public schools nationwide have been making an effort to change the way kids eat. Some of the major urban school districts – such as those in Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia – recently announced that they will ban the sale of soda in their schools. Starting this fall, New York City's school system (the country's largest) will also stop selling hard candy and doughnuts from in-school vending machines.
Food companies announce a change of direction
Significant changes are brewing in the food and beverage industry, as well. On July 1, 2003, Kraft Foods announced that it will alter how it produces, packages, and promotes its products, using recommendations from a panel of international experts in behavior, intervention programs, lifestyle education, nutrition, obesity, physical activity and public health. Among Kraft's plans are to cut portion sizes in single-serve packages, stop all of its in-school marketing, provide some healthier choices and offer nutrition labeling in all markets worldwide – even those that don't require it.
Other companies have also recently begun taking notice of the need for healthier options and consumer education. PepsiCo's Frito-Lay brand is planning to cut out trans fat from its Cheetos, Doritos, and Tostitos. The latest hot button in the battle to fight obesity, trans fat (found mostly in commercial baked goods and fried foods) can raise blood cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease.
Like saturated fat in years past, trans fat is now under the media and public health microscope. On July 9, 2003, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that all food labels must list the exact amount of unhealthy trans fat – also called trans fatty acids.
Although companies have until 2006 to make the change, the expanded information will eventually help consumers make more healthy decisions about the foods they opt to eat. Companies like Frito-Lay are ahead of the curve, though, choosing to make alterations in their products' ingredients sooner rather than later.
Last year, McDonald's announced plans to change the oil used to cook its famous fries, cutting the trans fatty acids by half. The fast-food giant is also now offering healthier Happy Meal options in some parts of the world. In the United Kingdom, this means fresh fruit packs instead of fries. In Sweden, the options include baby carrots, milk, juice or a low-calorie soft drink. Kids in Australia can choose a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich, raisins and orange juice.
The latest proposed changes by companies might be, in part, a reaction to increased attention to the epidemic of overweight and obesity and, in part, a reaction to recent obesity-related lawsuits. Still, nutrition experts acknowledge that a major shift in consumers' buying and eating habits could take quite a while.
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