British researchers call for greater systemic approach to address childhood obesity

By Dennis Archambault

For over a decade professionals from health and human service agencies, academia, and other private sector organizations have networked through the MOTION Coalition, hosted by Authority Health. Their purpose is strengthening our regional understanding and effectiveness in addressing obesity. Unfortunately, on a national level, this effort has fallen short and threatens the health and well-being of the generation to come, according to a sobering assessment published last month in The Lancet.

The study concluded that “existing policies have failed to address overweight and obesity. Without major reform, the forecasted trends will be devastating at the individual and population level, and the associated disease burden and economic costs will continue to escalate. Stronger governance is needed to support and implement a multifaceted whole-system approach to disrupt the structural drivers of overweight and obesity at both the national and local levels.”

Kelly Rogers Victor, a public health commentator writing in The Detroit News recently put it in economic terms: “Our country’s physical and fiscal health, and even national security are at risk.” She reiterated what members of the MOTION Coalition are sensitive to, “obese youngsters can anticipate higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, and shorter lives. They also learn less, earn less, and suffer impaired mental health.”

This is not merely a problem that vexes health professionals, it is a national crisis that should.

In 2001, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher’s  Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity, warned Americans of the damaging effects of our increasing weight and outlined a public health response to reverse the trend. In 2005, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Richard H. Carmona, said that if the public viewed the current epidemic of obesity with the same seriousness as potential acts of bioterrorism, the nation would become much healthier, quicker. “Obesity is the terror within,” he said. “It is eroding our society. It will bring a disease burden we can’t afford.” At the time, Dr. Carmona said that nine million children are obese or overweight. And in 2010, Dr. Regina Benjamin, as U.S. Surgeon General, issued her Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation, which set the country on a path toward promoting active living and healthy eating.

It appears this effort is falling short, according to the researchers writing in The Lancet. Victor, in her commentary, recommends two strategies:

Build a bipartisan coalition on the national level concerned about the dietary causes of chronic disease. This coalition would collaborate with elected officials, citing the Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act as a potential platform for legislative engagement. This strategy could be done at the state level.

Develop a comprehensive public education campaign. Respecting society’s efforts to avoid inflicting shame and stigma on those who are overweight, this campaign should address the harms of a diet high in processed foods and obesity itself. She highlighted the smoking campaign, which was part of the Comprehensive Smoking Education Act, that was effective with young people.

Engage “our best ally:” youth. Noting the impact young people have had on promoting awareness of climate change, “youth advocacy is powerful… Human health and planetary health are inextricably linked. Teach kids about this nexus and let them run with it.”

As Albert Einstein observed, “In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity.” This is certainly a health crisis.

Dennis Archambault is vice president of Public Affairs for Authority Health.