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Overweight Americans should cut calories, eat smaller portions and exercise more rather than blame the food industry for their weight problems, a group promoting nutrition and fitness says.
Double-stuffed Oreo cookies and sugar-laden sodas aren't the culprits behind our country's expanding waistline, said Susan Finn, a registered dietitian who represents the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition. The group was formed by food and beverage companies, trade associations and nutrition advocates.
"Let's not vilify food," said Finn, who is speaking today at the annual conference of the Society for Nutrition Education at the Sheraton in downtown Salt Lake City. "The fight against obesity is not about restrictions, lawsuits and taxes. It's about helping people live healthier lifestyles."
To fight obesity, the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition collects data on obesity studies, promotes a balance of smart food choices and exercise, supports requiring physical education in schools and lobbies Congress on obesity-related legislation. The organization stresses choice and does not believe vending machines with soda, chips and candy should be pulled from schools - a hot topic being debated nationwide and in Utah.
Obesity kills about 300,000 Americans each year and costs $117 billion in health-related expenses, according to a report by the U.S. Surgeon General. People are considered obese when their weight is 20 percent or more over the maximum desirable for their height. When adults are more than 100 pounds overweight, they are considered morbidly obese.
In Utah, 19 percent of the adult population is obese.
John Banzhaf, a professor at George Washington University Law School who has worked on tobacco and fast-food litigation, questioned the intentions of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition.
"They are largely responding to the pressures of litigation and legislation," Banzhaf said. "It's very clear they're scared witless. They see food as the next tobacco in terms of litigation. Are they changing? Sure they are. Some of the changes are good, but some are bad because they're misleading people."
For example, he said, many consumers are unaware that some foods labeled low fat are loaded with calories, which convert to fat if they aren't burned.
Responding to the attention on obesity, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will require companies to include the amount of trans fat in foods on nutrition labels in January 2006. Experts believe trans fats clog arteries.
In Utah, lawmakers passed a bill in the Legislature's 2004 session to protect restaurants, grocery stores, food manufacturers and distributors from lawsuits claiming their products lead to weight gain.
The legislation was sparked by a spate of lawsuits filed by overweight people in other states. A New York man made national news in 2002 after suing McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken for allegedly causing his two heart attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
No obesity-related lawsuits have been filed in Utah, lawmakers said.
Gail Frank, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, said restaurants and food manufacturers should share some of the responsibility for the obesity problem. She cited large portions, all-you-can-eat buffets and a lack of adequate nutritional information on food labels and menus.
"Consumers have become tainted, and many are confused about the correct portions for themselves and the best food choices," she said.