Targeting childhood obesity

Targeting childhood obesity

Portland (Maine) Press Herald: People who make money making other people eat too much should be watched carefully.

The first big event of first lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to fight childhood obesity came recently with the announcement that leading food processors are joining the battle, committing to collectively reduce 1 trillion calories from their offerings in the next two years.

While it sounds promising, we are skeptical.

These companies are in the business of selling products, not protecting our health. It may be bad for business to get a reputation for killing your customers, but the reputation can be fixed while still falling short of Obama’s health goals.

Complicating factors

The reality is that obesity is a complicated problem that involves genetics, culture and personal choice. But it’s also affected by the availability and promotion of processed foods that are high in fat, sugar and carbohydrates and that are chemically engineered to make you want more and more.

Childhood obesity is not only an expensive problem for our health care system now, it is one that challenges our future as a nation.

Obama should keep the pressure on the food industry and be prepared to push harder if these pledges don’t show results.