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Obesity: The Health Debate and Policy Challenges

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(October 2005, pdf format, 1.2 MB)

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(October 2005, pdf format, 500 KB)
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From the Introduction:

There is no doubt that the issue of overweight and obesity is at the forefront of the public agenda. In the second quarter of 2003 alone, 1,400 stories on obesity appeared in major media outlets in the United States (compared to 1999, when fewer than 12 stories appeared).1 Obesity has become the topic of choice for national conferences, and a plethora of recent books have been written on the topic. As public health warnings increase, the issue of obesity and overweight earns greater political prominence on both the national and state levels. In 2005, lawmakers in 48 of the 50 states introduced bills to combat obesity.2 From “twinkie taxes” to vending machine regulations to menu-labeling mandates, policymakers are responding to what some consider a public health crisis.

Lesser known, however, is the significant debate surrounding the issue of overweight and obesity. Although experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) consider the issue to be a public health epidemic, other researchers believe that the health risks of overweight and obesity are greatly exaggerated. There are varying perspectives on the prevalence of overweight and obesity as well as its measurement, causes, and contribution to mortality and disease.

Despite this debate, there is agreement that (1) the poor health of Americans—regardless of body weight—results in greater illness and rising medical costs, and (2) a nutritionally balanced diet and adequate physical activity are virtually universally accepted methods of improving health across the spectrum of body sizes. Researchers agree that there is a role for public policymakers in promoting policies that encourage healthy eating and physical activity among all citizens, regardless of size or shape.

This paper provides an overview of the weight and health debate. It addresses the measurement and causes of overweight and obesity, the economic impacts of these conditions, their relationship to disease and mortality, and whether or not weight loss is an appropriate panacea. In addition, the paper addresses some of the issues surrounding childhood overweight and obesity. The paper concludes with a summary of those areas where policymakers have the greatest opportunity to positively impact the health and fitness of Ohioans.