F as in Fat 2009

Precisely why there will be no solution to the overweight/obesity (Oh-Oh) issue.

"Adult obesity rates increased in 23 states and did not decrease in a single state in the past year, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009, a report released today by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). In addition, the percentage of obese or overweight children is at or above 30 percent in 30 states...

Key report recommendations for addressing obesity within health reform include:

Ensuring every adult and child has access to coverage for preventive medical services, including nutrition and obesity counseling and screening for obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes;

Increasing the number of programs available in communities, schools, and childcare settings that help make nutritious foods more affordable and accessible and provide safe and healthy places for people to engage in physical activity; and

Reducing Medicare expenditures by promoting proven programs that improve nutrition and increase physical activity among adults ages 55 to 64.

The report also calls for a National Strategy to Combat Obesity that would define roles and responsibilities for federal, state and local governments and promote collaboration among businesses, communities, schools and families. It would seek to advance policies that

Provide healthy foods and beverages to students at schools;

Increase the availability of affordable healthy foods in all communities;

Increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of physical activity at school;

Improve access to safe and healthy places to live, work, learn, and play;
Limit screen time; and

Encourage employers to provide workplace wellness programs.

Not a single call for personal responsibility, perpetuation of the myth of "healthy foods" (there is only eating healthily), blaming others for not policing the public, invoking the myth of successful programs without naming them (i.e., they don't exist), calling for inefficient and nigh impossible ways to lose weight and miring businesses in the pursuit of impossible to succeed programs.

These are not ways that will ever resolve the Oh-Oh epidemic.

And these are from the people who have the ears of the politicians and policymakers.

Until they are silenced, there is no chance to succeed.