With $11 billion spent annually on food advertisements, restaurants increasing portion sizes, and computers and TVs serving as the recreational activity of choice, Americans face an increasingly uphill battle against obesity. Dr. Marion Nestle of New York University and Dr. Michael Jacobson of Center for Science in the Public Interest highlight the fact that 170,000 fast-food restaurants and 3 million soda vending machines combine with an automobile culture that leads Americans to take more energy in while expending less energy out. Reduced activity levels nationwide are also promoted by the modern conveniences of e-mail, centralized air and heating, mini-malls, highways, as well as budget cuts to school physical education classes that discourages activity early in life. The researchers urge that the federal government initiate actions such as media campaigns to promote healthy living, physical activity, and sound dietary choices, modify school cafeteria menus and reinstate gym programs, and tax purchases of sodas, tv's and video equipment, and new cars. They also urge grass-roots actions that will result in a change in the mindset of our now-sedentary youth, including making parks and playgrounds safe and removing commercialism and access to junk foods at schools.

SOURCE/REFERENCE: Public Health Reports 2000;115:12-24