Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Changing the American Diet

2007; American Academy of Pediatrics; Volume: 28; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1542/pir.28.1.4

1529-7233

Hugo Scornik,

Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

On April 20, 2005, the United States Department of Agriculture released a new version of the Food Guide Pyramid, the drawing used to illustrate what the typical person should be eating. This new guide promotes the inclusion of vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains in a healthy American diet. The importance of this educational effort is made clear in that approximately 65% of adults and 15% of children in the United States are either overweight or obese. Of course, the new Food Pyramid is only the latest in a steady stream of nutritional health information aimed at educating the general public on healthy eating habits. The National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Food and Drug Administration, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and many others have also launched good nutrition and antiobesity campaigns. These campaigns all promote low-calorie, low-fat diets and regular exercise as the best ways of battling the obesity epidemic.But, is there something missing? These campaigns all seem to ignore or de-emphasize the extreme role that the fast food and restaurant industry plays in increasing the calories consumed by the American public. In the past 30 years, these restaurants have exploded in popularity. In 1970, Americans spent $6 billion on fast food; in 2000, they spent more than $110 billion. According to a 2004 study of 6,212 children published in Pediatrics, 30% ate fast food on a typical day. The amount of calories and grams of fat that can be consumed in these establishments is huge. A quarter-pounder with cheese “value meal” at one busy chain packs 1,100 kcal and 46 g fat. An onion appetizer at a popular steak house has 2,130 kcal and 116 g fat. Predictably, in the 2004 Pediatrics study, on days that a child ate fast food, he or she was more likely to consume more fats, calories, and soft drinks and fewer fruits, nonstarchy vegetables, and milk. Yet, the general public is largely unaware of the dangers that these establishments can pose. Many families in my primary care practice do not understand that weight loss will be impossible if they continue to dine out at these establishments most days of the week, regardless of any healthy habits they may be following at home.The government agencies that oversee our nation’s health should be much more explicit about the harm posed by fast food. It will take a concerted effort by these agencies to overcome the billions spent by the fast food industry each year on advertising, but it can be done. In addition, I would urge the American Academy of Pediatrics to state, unequivocally, that families should not consume fast food more than once per month. This advice should be repeated in public information campaigns as well as in pediatricians’ offices. Despite what the fast food industry may claim, there are very few healthy choices offered at these establishments, and we would all be better served with more frequent home-cooked meals. If these actions are taken, they can change the dynamic of the obesity problem in the United States.Some might say that such a dramatic change in American behavior will never happen. However, public health campaigns have had great success in altering American norms. The decrease in deaths due to smoking, teen pregnancy, and driving while intoxicated all have their roots in similar ambitious public information campaigns. The key to reversing the current obesity trend is to emphasize to the public the harms of eating fast food, while continuing to promote the benefits of regular exercise and a healthy diet. The well-being of America’s children is at stake. It’s time to do more.