Public Sees Childhood Obesity As Serious Health Threat

Newswise — According to a new study, Americans consider childhood obesity as serious a problem as smoking or school violence, exceeded only by substance abuse as a health threat to school-age children. The study, conducted by researchers at RTI International, surveyed 1,047 Americans nationwide on their opinions about the seriousness of childhood obesity, whether they favored or opposed specific strategies to deal with the issue, and what consequences in terms of cost or regulation they would accept to combat childhood obesity. Americans strongly favor many school, community, and media strategies to combat the growing childhood obesity epidemic, according to the study. By wide margins, the public wants more health information and education delivered to parents and kids, unhealthy food made less available in schools, more exercise opportunities in communities, and favors restricting unhealthy food advertising aimed at kids. The public is much less supportive of taxation and regulation as ways to combat the obesity epidemic. Several specific strategies to combat childhood obesity received high levels of support. - More than 82 percent favor increasing promotion of healthy foods in school vending machines.- More than 75 percent favor restricting availability of less healthy foods in school cafeterias.- More than 94 percent favor requiring teaching of healthy eating and exercise habits.- Nearly 75 percent favor restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods during children's television programming. Overall, the survey findings revealed strong support for strategies that give adults and children more information and education to make healthy choices. However, the study found little support regulatory changes such as increasing the price of unhealthy foods sold in schools, raising taxes on unhealthy foods marketed to children, or requiring standard portions in restaurants. Less than 50 percent of Americans are willing to pay an additional $100 per year in taxes to support community programs to reduce obesity. "Our study suggests that while Americans are increasingly aware of the health and social consequences of childhood obesity, they favor strategies that give people information and choices, rather than taxes and regulation, to deal with it," said Doug Evans, Ph D., RTI study director. "They also appear willing to fund improvements in the built environment, such as creating and improving access to parks, recreational facilities, and programs to promote healthier lifestyles that include improved nutrition and regular exercise." The study was presented at the TIME/ABC News Summit on Obesity being held in Williamsburg, Va. June 2-4. The study authors, Evans, Eric Finkelstein, Ph.D., and Douglas Kamerow, M.D. plan to publish their findings with complete results in a peer-reviewed journal later this year.

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to conducting research that improves the human condition. With a staff of more than 2,300 people, RTI offers innovative research and development and a full spectrum of multidisciplinary services in health and pharmaceuticals, advanced technology, survey and statistics, education and training, economic and social development, and the environment.