Common sense, science help fight against obesity

The following editorial appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer on Wednesday.

Tommy Thompson, secretary of health and human services, last week echoed what mothers have been preaching for years: “Eat your peas, and get more exercise.”

Unlike the popular diets that shun carbohydrates, new federal dietary guidelines, unveiled by Thompson, endorse multiple servings of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. They suggest up to 90 minutes of daily exercise. They slash salt, saturated fats and refined sugar.

The goals sent some Americans reeling, but the serving sizes are achievable. Following the common sense advice will result in a healthier lifestyle.

Federal guidelines, first issued in 1980 and updated every five years, drive U.S. nutritional policy in areas such as school meals; research; health programs for women, infants and children; and food stamps.

The next step will be changes in February to the ubiquitous food pyramid, seen on ads, labels, cartons, textbooks and Scout manuals. Food group lobbyists have been quibbling for years to maintain their traditional spots in the pyramid, regardless of whether the foods they promote actually promote good health.

The Bush administration should resist industry pressure, as it did with these new guidelines, and make decisions based on the latest science.

Almost two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, and more than half get too little physical activity. In 2001, then-Surgeon General David Satcher declared obesity a serious public health problem. He rightly noted that obesity shouldn’t be regarded as “strictly a personal matter.” It’s a problem communities and society can address….

Only one state, Illinois, requires daily physical education in school, even though childhood obesity rates have tripled in the past 30 years. Other mandates have crowded PE out of the school day. That trend needs to be examined critically … .

The battle of the bulge can’t be won without personal discipline. But individuals can’t win it without some help from society and governments.