Social, Political, Economic Context for Obesity Policy

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Social, Political, Economic Context for Obesity
Policy

• Elizabeth Johnson, MS, RD
• Senior Advisor to the Secretary
• USDA

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Where are we today?

• 64 of Americans overweight or obese
• 33 overweight
• 31 obese, double the rate in 1980
• CDC reports that between 1971 2000
• Women increased caloric intake 22
• Men increased caloric intake 7

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Where are we today? (cont)

• 1999-2000 estimates
• 15 of children aged 6-11 years overweight
• 16 of adolescents 12-19 years overweight
• This is a doubling for children and a tripling
  for adolescents over the past two decades

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Obesity Trends Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1985
Source Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc
199928216, 200128610.
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Obesity Trends Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 2001
Source Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc
199928216, 200128610.
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Trends in Obesity-Related Media Coverage
Note Figures represent IFIC tracking of U.S. and
International (English-speaking) wire reports and
print articles on the issue and do not
necessarily reflect the true number of stories.
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Proposed Recommendations vs. Consumption
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Proposed Recommendations vs. Consumption
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Easiest thing to do Change your attitude!
Percent of respondents Completely Agreeing with
the statement People who are not overweight
look a lot more attractive.
Source National Eating TrendsYears Ending
February
11
Now more Americans want to lose weight!
I would like to lose at least 20
pounds. Percent of respondents Completely
Agreeing, Agreeing Mostly, or Agree Somewhat with
the statement
Source National Eating TrendsYears Ending
February
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Political Context

• States considering sin taxes on foods
• Other countries have imposed taxes
• States localities policies on school meals
• Restrict access to foods of minimal nutritional
  value

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Economic Context
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Health - Nutritional Supplement Sales
Yet, Americans are concerned about their health
as long as it is convenient.
U.S. Nutritional Supplement Sales
(billions)
11.50
10.30
8.96
95
96
97
Source Nutrition Business Journal
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Dietary Supplements Estimated US Sales

• Supplements
• 1999 16.3 billion
• 2001 17.7 billion
• 2002 18.7 billion (3.8 growth)
• Herbals
• 2002 4.3 billion (-.28 growth)
• Omega 3 F.A.
• 2002 290 million (25 growth)
• Source Nutrition Business Journal

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Dieting Trends
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Cost of overweight obesity

• CDC estimated 2000 cost is 117 billion
• 61 billion direct medical cost
• 56 billion in lost productivity
• 400,000 deaths linked to overweight obesity

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Social Context
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Less concern about calories in our meals
Percent of Homemakers Completely/Mostly Agreeing
I am always conscious of the calories in the
meals I serve.
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Less concern about fat in our meals!
Percent of Homemakers Completely Agreeing
A person should be very cautious in serving
foods with fat.
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Nutritional Concerns - Attitude vs. Behavior
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Diet DilemmaWhat Should Americans Eat?

Nutrient Intake in Various Diets
Protein
Carbo
Sat Fat
Mono Poly Fat
25
35
22
18
Atkins
7
33
15
45
Reaven
10
20
15
55
AHA Step I
7
23
15
55
AHA Step 2
50-60
7
18-23
15
ATP III
6
24
30
40
The Zone
55
6
21
18
Dash
3
72
Ornish
7
18
US D.R.I.
20-35
45 - 65
10-35
Adapted from Wilson P., 2002
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Personal Responsibility
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Science Context
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DG pics
1980 1985 1990 1995
2000
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Setting appropriate calorie levelsEstimated
Energy Requirements for men and women
3000 2000 1000
Active
Sedentary

• 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Age
  in years

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Conclusions

• Obesity is a serious health in the U.S.
• Our past policy has not curbed this health issue
• The issue of overweight and obesity is
  multifaceted with no simple answers

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Conclusions

• The Bush Administrations HealthierUS initiative
  has challenged all Agencies to address this
  health issue within new policy
• We look forward to the partnership with health
  professionals, academics and industry in
  reversing this critical health issue