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Researchers and public health advocates agreed yesterday that efforts by the federal government and food industry to encourage healthier lifestyles have not slowed the escalating trend of obesity in Americans. … While acknowledging some accomplishments by the government and private sector to combat obesity, Northeastern University professor Richard Daynard stressed that nutritional labeling on restaurant menus and stricter regulation on advertising to children are needed. He suggested that a tax on "unhealthy" food and litigation against restaurants and food manufacturers also may help reduce consumption of fatty foods. Alison Rein, assistant director for food and health policy for the National Consumers League, said the obesity problem also stems from heavy advertising from the food industry, primarily with ads targeting children. About 15 percent of American children are overweight, while 64 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ms. Rein said state and federal governments have not placed enough emphasis on health and nutrition education. Obese (very fat) people have pushed up health care costs while cutting into the work force's full production potential, said Ms. Rein. Mr. Philipson and other economists countered that obese people, like smokers, tend to die younger than the rest of the population, costing the government health care dollars but saving on Social Security pensions.
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