We Can Eat Smarter

By Kathryn R. Satterfield

America has a supersize problem.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 64% of adults are overweight or obese, which means excessively overweight.  Over the past 20 years, the rate of adult obesity in the United States has more than doubled, going from 15% in 1980 to 31% in 2000.

These numbers reflect a troubling upward trend—and not just for grown-ups.  Over the same 20 years, the percentage of obese kids ages 6 to 19 has tripled to 15% of that population.  About 9 million children are excessively overweight.

Obesity can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure.  The occurrence of type 2 diabetes, once considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically in young people.

WHAT’S EATING AMERICA?

How did so many people get so big so fast?  Health experts point to junk foods, huge portion sizes and less activity.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says that nearly half of all American children do not get enough vigorous physical activity.

“Many factors in a child’s environment favor excessive weight gain,” says Dr. Nancy Krebs, a Colorado pediatrician.  “It’s the foods they’re eating and the amounts they’re eating, (as well as) a reduction in physical activity.

Happy Meals and take-out pizzas are low-cost, quick and satisfying alternatives to home-cooked meals.  An occasional order of fries won’t harm anyone, but most fast foods are too high in calories, fat and artery-clogging cholesterol to eat every day.  The trend toward supersizing is contributing to the big fat problem.  In 1957, the average fast-food burger weighed about one ounce.  Today, the typical hamburger weighs a whopping six ounces.

The bad news has prompted some companies to shape up their menus (see “Fast and Light?”).  Experts say that such changes are good, but more must be done.  “We still need to hold the industry accountable for its marketing of unhealthy options, especially to children,” says Kelly Brownell, the director of the Center for Eating and Weight Disorders at Yale University, in Connecticut.

The government is also taking action.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is changing its nutrition guidelines.  The improved version, due to 2005, should be easier for people to use.  The USDA is also beefing up its healthful choices in public schools.  This year, the USDA bought more than 973 million pounds of fruits and vegetables for school meals, 22% more than in 2002.

A NEW RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Many families have taken notice of the obesity crisis.  They are already making changes to their lifestyles and eating habits.  Most important is having the right attitude, says Dr. Naomi Neufeld, the medical director of the KidShape Foundation, in California.  “Eating healthily and exercising is not done to conform to some image of the perfect body,” she says.  “It’s to treat yourself better, because you deserve it.”