New Report Highlights Obesity...
07/07/2011
For Immediate Release
July 7, 2011
Contact: Sarah Coppersmith
news@ahealthieramerica.org
(202) 842-9001
New Report from RWJF, TFAH Highlights Severity of Obesity Epidemic
WASHINGTON – Lawrence A. Soler, CEO of the Partnership for a Healthier America
(PHA) – an organization focused on solving the nation’s childhood obesity crisis – today
issued the following statement on F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future
2011, a newly released report from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and Trust
for America’s Health (TFAH).
“According to the report released today, twelve states now have obesity rates above 30
percent, when just four years ago, only one state was above 30 percent. These numbers
show just how difficult it is to solve the obesity epidemic. Under the leadership of Dr.
Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has helped bring a sense of
urgency of solving the childhood obesity crisis, and is working to help teach our nation’s
children healthy habits from day one.”
“However, we know that the obesity epidemic cannot be solved by just one entity alone;
it will take a combined effort of both the private and public sectors to help solve the
crisis. I hope that industry will see this report as a call to action.”
This year’s F as in Fat reported that the obesity epidemic is most severe South, with
Mississippi having the highest adult obesity rate for the seventh year in a row. The
Northeast and West have lower rates of obesity, with Colorado having the lowest obesity
rate, and the only state with an obesity rate under 20 percent.
Specifically, more than two out of three states have obesity rates over 25 percent. In
contrast, twenty years ago, no state had an obesity rate above 15 percent. The report
shows that obesity rates have grown fastest in Oklahoma, Alabama, and Tennessee, and
slowest in Washington, D.C., Colorado, and Connecticut.
The report also includes four recommendations from TFAH and RWJF on how both the
public and private sector can help combat the obesity epidemic, including:
- Fully funding the Public Health and Prevention Fund: TFAH and RWJF recommend that the fund not be cut, that a significant portion be used for obesity prevention, and that it not be used to offset or justify cuts to other Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs.
- Implementing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act: TFAH and RWJF recommend that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issue a final rule as swiftly as possible regarding school meal regulations and issue strong standards for socalled “competitive” food and beverages – those sold outside of school meal programs, through à la carte lines, vending machines and school stores.
- Implementing the National Physical Activity Plan: TFAH and RWJF recommend full implementation of the policies, programs, and initiatives outlined in the National Physical Activity Plan. This includes a grassroots advocacy effort; a public education program; a national resource center; a policy development and research center; and dissemination of best practices.
- Restoring Cuts to Vital Programs: TFAH and RWJF recommend that the $833 million in cuts made in the fiscal year 2011 continuing resolution be restored and that programs to improve nutrition in child care settings and nutrition assistance programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children be fully funded and carried out. If fully funded these programs could have a major impact on reducing obesity.