Editorial: Battling our bulge

Monday, Sept. 3, 2007 | 1:01 a.m.

The national dialogue on physical fitness has probably never been more prominent, and yet a new study shows that obesity rates continued to climb in 31 states last year and that no state showed a decline.

The report was released this week by the Trust for America's Health, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research group that focuses on disease prevention. The research shows that the overall obesity rate among adults is 23 percent - lower than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's previous estimate of about 32 percent. The Trust for America's Health research was based on telephone interviews ; the CDC actually weighed people.

Either way, it is not a pretty picture. Mississippi's adults ranked worst in the nation, with an obesity rate of 30percent. And even Colorado's best-in-the-nation ranking of 17.6 percent among adults represents an increase from the previous year.

Nevada's adult obesity rate of 22.5percent ranked 37th nationally. The state's children, ages 10 to 17, came in 36th nationally at 12.4 percent.

Still, given the explosion of diet programs, guidelines, organic foods, health alternatives in restaurants and the overall fat-fighting craze, how can this nation be facing not only a continued high obesity rate, but also an increase?

The experts are at a loss. Many say schools need to work harder to cut out junk food and increase physical education. To Nevada's credit, the report says the state is one of 17 nationally in which health standards for school meals and snacks exceed those set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Nevada is among 26 states that dictate where and when snack foods may be sold at school.

The report calls on the federal government to enact a national strategy to fight obesity that would clearly define roles for federal, state and local agencies, private industry and community groups. It also recommends that government take measures to make healthy choices in food and physical activity more accessible - and more affordable - for more Americans.

We agree with all of these points. We also think that more research and attention should be given to roles that chemical additives and preservatives in our food supply play in increasing the girth of even those who are trying to make healthier choices.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to this growing problem. It will take good choices and effort - from the very top levels of policymaking to the dinner tables of every American home - to win the battle against our collective bulge.