Obesity is now reaching epidemic proportions with huge long term implications for the country (US and Canada) - long term medical problems, soaring health costs, quality of life issues, ulitmate impacts on worker productivity and all considering potential impacts to national security

From News on Rednova

Childhood Obesity Needs Action

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID

WASHINGTON (AP) — A wide-ranging effort involving parents, schools, communities and government is needed to turn the tide of childhood obesity, the Institute of Medicine said Thursday.

"No single factor or sector of society bears all of the blame for the problem," and no sector alone can correct it, Dr. Jeffrey Koplan of Emory University in Atlanta, chairman of the committee that prepared the recommendations, said at a briefing.

Shiriki K. Kumanyika of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine likened the recommendations to other long-term public health efforts, such as reducing smoking and getting people to use seat belts.

"This is not something that can happen overnight," she said, though some things can be done quickly, such as making schools commercial-free zones.

Strong, coordinated leadership will be needed to make the effort succeed, said Russell R. Pate of the University of South Carolina, and "government at all levels should provide coordinated leadership."

The country has drifted into a situation where the number of obese youths has more than doubled over the last 30 years, Koplan said, "but we're not going to drift out of it."

Today, some 9 million children older than 6 are obese, the report said.

The report called for a wide-ranging effort that includes less time in front of television and computer screens, changes in food labeling and advertising, more school and community physical education programs, and education to help children make better choices.

"It is now critical to alter social norms and attitudes" so that healthy eating and physical activity become routine, said Koplan.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson noted that the Food and Drug Administration is examining how to revise food labels to ensure that parents understand how many calories they and their children are consuming.

"Accurate, helpful information will allow them to make wise food choices at home, at supermarkets and in restaurants," Thompson said.

Margo G. Wootan of the Center for Science in the Public Interest said the report recommends many sensible steps.