Will Obesity Reverse Rise in U.S. Life Expectancy?

Obesity has become an epidemic and an important public health concern. Because the problem is multidimensional, the solution will require an interdisciplinary approach involving the cooperation of the food industry with other stakeholders, such as the government, academia, and health care providers. The consumer is an important player in the solution to obesity because the consumer can make healthy lifestyle choices at the individual level. The food industry is committed to providing the consumer with healthy food options and reliable nutrition information.

INTRODUCTION

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in United States. Currently, more than 65% of Americans are overweight or obese. Obesity is correlated with several medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and certain types of cancer. Obesity and its related diseases are responsible for ?400 000 deaths per year in the United States, paralleling the number of preventable deaths caused by smoking. Overweight in pediatric age groups has nearly tripled in the past 30 y. Today, an estimated 16.1% of adolescents (12–19 y of age) in the United States are overweight (body mass index ?95th percentile for age). Studies indicate that 50–77% of these adolescents will become obese adults; 80% of those with one obese parent will do so. Data show significantly lower quality of life scores for obese children compared with children of normal weight. They also show increased risk of obesity-related comorbidities, including degenerative joint disease and type 2 diabetes

ROLE OF THE CONSUMER

Consumers are the most important player in the solution to the obesity epidemic because they make individualized choices about food and lifestyle. As stated by Philipson in this symposium, if the consumer can be influenced with comprehensible nutrition information and a variety of healthy food choices, perhaps individuals can begin to address weight gain on a personal level. In addition to cultural and psychological influences, four motivators have been identified that affect consumer decisions: taste, quality, convenience, and price. Although consumers indicate that healthy eating and good nutrition are increasingly important to them, sales and surveys show they are more concerned with taste, convenience, and price. There exists a gap between consumer attitude and behavior that the food industry must consider. Moreover, consumers are confused with the conflicting messages regarding fat, carbohydrates, protein, and calories. Consumers need clarity and reliable nutrition information to make responsible dietary decisions.

CONCLUSION

To help fight the battle against obesity, the food industry must team up with the government, academia, and the medical community to help inform consumers, strengthen nutrition education, and develop healthier product choices. ConAgra aims to work in concert with these groups to continue providing consumers with a range of healthy food options. Giving consumers the best nutrition information and the best nutritional food options may empower them to make individualized lifestyle changes that will help overcome energy imbalance and, in the long term, may help curb our struggle with obesity.

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