Obesity Debate Centers on Pinning the Blame

CNSNews.com ^ | 5/14/03 | Steve Brown

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - Blaming the fast food restaurant industry for what some say is an "obesity epidemic" in America is "absurd," according to one expert involved in debate on the subject Tuesday.

"Except in a few instances, the main reason that people are fat is that they either eat too much or exercise too little or some combination. Now whose fault is that?" asked James Glassman, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

The debate focused on what role government should or should not play in helping Americans, especially children, avoid becoming obese.

Glassman's opponent in the debate, Shannon Brownlee, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation, which sponsored the event, agreed that lawsuits targeting the fast food industry are not the answer to the nation's obesity problem, but she did characterize obesity as a disease being subsidized by the federal government.

"Imagine a disease that kills almost as many people as tobacco kills, that kills you slowly - like AIDS, that disables you and then kills you, that kills more people than AIDS, drugs or guns combined," Brownlee said.

"Now imagine that not only is your local, state and federal government not doing anything about this disease - anything credible about it, but they are actually promoting this disease through taxes and other policies," Brownlee explained.

According to Brownlee, the rate of obesity among Americans has risen from 15 percent to 27 percent since 1970, making one-third of the population obese (100 pounds over a person's optimum body mass index).

She said government is encouraging obesity by failing to implement any "credible" anti-obesity campaign, noting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spend much more money on anti-tobacco campaigns than on programs that help people control their weight.

Through U.S. tax policies, Brownlee alleged, "we allow the advertising of all kinds of food to children."

Government agricultural and free trade policies have also contributed to more Americans being overweight by driving food prices "way down," she said. The cheapest foods are the ones most popular at fast food restaurants, Brownlee explained, while "fruits and vegetables are the only foods whose price has not gone down dramatically since the 1970s."

Glassman disagreed, insisting that obesity "is not a public policy issue."

"It distracts from more important things," Glassman said. He added that the increasing number of lawsuits against the fast food industry are "one manifestation of the hysteria about obesity" and part of "this distressing trend of blaming others for one's own poor behavior.

"I do not think that this is a problem that lends itself to a public policy solution. Some things, believe it or not, are personal and go beyond the scope of government," Glassman said.

Glassman emphasized that the lawsuits were also contributing to the obesity problem "because they are telling Americans, 'you are not responsible for your own body, your own obesity. It's those guys who are selling you hamburgers, it's those guys who are selling you French fries.'

"In a society in which nothing is your own fault, we seek scapegoats," Glassman said. "Even more than in the case of smoking, obesity shines a huge spotlight on the importance of personal responsibility."

John Banzhaf, the George Washington University law professor who led the legal fight against the tobacco industry, told the audience at the National Food Policy Conference earlier this month that there was a "growing proliferation of fast food restaurants with their super-size portions and ubiquitous advertising," ensuring that lawyers "will continue to target the deep pockets of the food industry."

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[kattracks]

...ensuring that lawyers "will continue to target the deep pockets of the food industry."

Which, ultimately, this is all about.

[goldstategop]

If people don't watch their eating habits and get exercise, all the lawsuits in the world won't help them shed the pounds and bolster their self-esteem. It'll just make the lawyers fatter and add to people's cynicism about the justice system spending time and energy on issues that won't make a single person healthier.

[Fearless Flyers]

I suffer from bulimia every time I here about these bottom feeding trial lawyers scamming the public on the behalf of these irresponsible fat pigs I throw up. Can I start litigation against the lawyers?

The fat people want us to pity their obesity and think that it causes no harm to anyone but the corporations, when in fact it causes the corporations to stop supplying us the foods we enjoy and when they do supply them for our enjoyment the cost becomes prohibitive.

[Falcon4.0]

I wonder why nobody does a study on how much unfettered sex costs society? After all pornography is the #1 money maker on the internet bar none!

[goldstategop]

Sex actually consumes calories. And since even lawyers have sex, its impossible to ban it.

[Corin Stormhands]

The fat people want us to pity their obesity and think that it causes no harm to anyone but the corporations

That should read "Some fat people..."

I've been overweight all my life and have been on every diet known to man. I finally have one that works. But when I don't stick to it, I put pounds back on. I got home from the gym after midnight.

/rant

Just don't put is all in that category.

[alrea]

america is the only country/society in world history where the poorest individuals are the most overweight.

[NittanyLion]

She said government is encouraging obesity by failing to implement any "credible" anti-obesity campaign, noting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spend much more money on anti-tobacco campaigns than on programs that help people control their weight.

Tommy Thompson continues to do his best to combat this notion, by issuing ridiculous directives to the fast food industry. As though I go to McDonald's and regret the lack of salad choices.

[mewzilla]

All the preaching from the bully pulpit will do no good if consumers refuse to buy the stuff. They need to work on demand, not just supply.

[Clintons Are White Trash]

AMEN! Some people have no clue about this problem. I don't want to sue anyone, I don't want anyone's money. After being bulemic in my 20's, I have dieted my way to where I am now. It's like trying to quit an addiction to heroin while still having to use some every day. Try quitting smoking while having to smoke some cigarettes every day.
Diet and exercise is not as easy as it sounds.

[Adder]

Nawww...you'll just have to pay a "fat tax". If you won't lose the weight, the gov't will help you by charging you by the extra pound "to pay for obesity related diseases".

Maybe a new IRS form, the "ton-forty"?

The percentage of "obese" people rose dramaticly when the government lowered the threshold for what is considered obese back in '96. I noted at the time that they would be coming out of the woodwork with alarming new figures and here it is. We have been manipulated and lied to by these agenda driven people. This all just a scam and we need to tell these idiots to shut up legally, scientificly and totally. Its just junk science and its wrong.

[goldstategop]

Hmmm... every woman should look like Lara Flynn Boyle and every guy should aspire to resemble Leonardo Di Caprio. Yeah, right.

[libertylover]

I'm fat and I know EXACTLY who to blame. Me!

[metesky]

According to Brownlee, the rate of obesity among Americans has risen from 15 percent to 27 percent since 1970, making one-third of the population obese (100 pounds over a person's optimum body mass index).

Hey Kat, when did 27% turn into 1/3? I must have attended the wrong schools.

[goldstategop]

The libs should sue Helen Thomas. She's a national model of obesity par excellence.

[chilepepper]

These clowns can't see the forest for the trees.

What is needed is a real, serious forensic analysis of why the obesity rate has gone up, and IMHO the "lo-fat" mantra, along with the infamous FDA food pyramid, will be seen to be the ultimate causal factor.

It is hard to get outside your head when "society" repeats things so much that those "things" become undisputed fact.

There are *NO* undisputed facts in this world, just beliefs and tentative assumptions which we painfully eke out from experience.

I've been fat all my life and my experience tells me that ATKINS was pretty much on the mark, but the cow-mind, pushed along by the food-grain interests, keep the lo-carb theory from public popular acceptance...

[netmilsmom]

That should read "Some fat people..."

I've been overweight all my life and have been on every diet known to man. I finally have one that works. But when I don't stick to it, I put pounds back on. I got home from the gym after midnight.

/rant

Just don't put is all in that category.

---

THANK YOU!!
Overweight people are the last bigotry allowed. I eat less than my husband, who is thin but I get the lectures. I came from a big family. I lost 45 pounds by just not eating. My hair fell out, my electrolytes went out of wack and I fainted once a day, but damn I was thin. Having babies at 37 & 39 has packed on the pounds. (suddenly, for the health of my unborn, I had to do more than popcorn and slimfast) I do not like being this way, but I wouldn't sue anyone for it.
What is the diet you have now???

When people get the idea that it's the exercise that gets the weight off, we will all be better off. One can eat next to nothing and sit on her butt all day FReeping. Pounds will not move.

[Maria S]

A lot of people are overweight because:

1. Too much TV/computer and too little exercise.
2. Food portions that are WAY too big.

Next time you're eating out, take a look at the size of the servings that the waiter brings. Here in Texas, most Mexican food restaurants (which we ALL love and visit regularly)serve huge orders on platters! There's enough in one serving for three people...if you're eating sensibly. We all stuff it down, pay, then waddle out. Only to wander into the kitchen three hours later for a "snack". No wonder we're all obese!

[netmilsmom]

AMEN! Some people have no clue about this problem. I don't want to sue anyone, I don't want anyone's money. After being bulemic in my 20's, I have dieted my way to where I am now. It's like trying to quit an addiction to heroin while still having to use some every day. Try quitting smoking while having to smoke some cigarettes every day.

---

You have it soooo right!!! Holidays are the worst! All about food. That's how I ended up anorexic, if one does not have food around, one is not temped.
Ever notice how when we do something wonderful at work, they reward us with food? Pizza or donuts. It used to drive me nuts.
It is much easier not to eat than to eat only what will help you lose weight. I'd rather not eat and get that rush of energy on the third day (you know, when you can't even sleep) than eat one thing wrong and see no movement in the scale for a week.
Can do that anymore, I'm afaid I will have a heart attack and leave my girls.

[Maria S]

I lost 70 pounds two years ago, and it's still off. I go to Weight Watchers regularly, and walk 5 miles a day on a treadmill. I eat large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables; lots of liquids, too. No cheese...ever! Believe it or not, after awhile, doughnuts, cookies, etc., are not appealing...they'll actually make you feel kind of sick if you eat very many. You just wean yourself away. If you're a cheese freak, try to give it up. Or, cut out the middle man...just open a can of lard and slap it on your thighs.