Why We're Losing the War on Childhood Obesity … and What It Will Take to Win

The federal government has launched numerous programs and campaigns over the past few years, all aimed at convincing us to change our unhealthy lifestyles. In 2004, the Bush administration declared war on obesity, introducing grants and public education initiatives to address the problem. In 2005, U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona put obesity at the top of his list of national health priorities.

By Sandra Whitehead

Our society is "overwhelmingly designed to promote obesity."

David Ludwig, M.D., Optimal Weight for Life Program Children's Hospital, Boston

The federal government has launched numerous programs and campaigns over the past few years, all aimed at convincing us to change our unhealthy lifestyles. In 2004, the Bush administration declared war on obesity, introducing grants and public education initiatives to address the problem. In 2005, U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona put obesity at the top of his list of national health priorities. Today:

• We have new federal dietary guidelines, recommending that we eat more fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and starches and less fast-food, juice, soda and sports drinks. The guidelines also direct us to exercise for at least one hour every day.
    


• Medicare has redefined obesity as a medical problem, opening the door to greater insurance coverage for the treatment and prevention of obesity.
    


• Even the Internal Revenue Service is involved, now acknowledging the importance of treating obesity and making physician-prescribed weight-loss programs deductible medical expenses.

Yet, despite the push for all of us to eat better and exercise more, government and private health experts concede that the nation's weight problem is getting worse - especially for kids.

Public health officials call it an epidemic. More than 60 million U.S. adults - nearly one in three - are considered obese. And more than 9 million kids - 16 percent of children ages 6 to 19 - are considered overweight or obese, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Some experts believe that percentage may now be as high as 18 percent.