Reflections on the Current Weight of the Nation

Across the United States, more than two-thirds of adults and one-third of children are overweight or obese₁. In Florida, only 36% of the population is currently at a healthy weight.₂To those who make up these majorities, “Eat less, move more” is the often- and widely-repeated algorithm suggested for weight loss. Before I began my service term at the Florida Department of Health in Clay County (Bear Run Clinic), I admit that I believed that a little self-discipline and a treadmill were all it took to drop a few pounds. If the methodology for weight loss was actually so simple though, I doubt that our nation would be facing the current public health epidemic that has steadily skyrocketed over the past 20 years. Throughout my service as the Healthiest Weight Coach, I have had the opportunity to more fully understand this seemingly perpetual phenomenon. Obesity is a multifaceted issue that requires the attention of individuals, communities, and legislation to elicit large-scale, lasting changes that will redefine our way of life.

Obesity rates tend to be the highest in low-income, food-insecure populations. In fact, some studies have found that low income alone is the most significant predictor of an individual’s risk of becoming obese.₃ I witness the truth of this statistic regularly as I meet with clients. So many of them face the same fundamental issues while transitioning to a healthier lifestyle. Transportation is a huge barrier, as many of my clients and potential clients have trouble even getting to their doctor’s appointments, or meetings with me. One of my clients can only shop for groceries once a month due to transportation limitations, which results in even less motivation to buy fresh, non-processed foods.

Communication is another challenge; some clients have limited cell phone minutes and are thus selective with the calls that they answer, while others may not have phone service at all. Most of my clients receive some type of food assistance, usually in the form of SNAP benefits, which may be the only grocery money they have to spend. When I asked one of my clients about his thoughts about buying frozen vegetables instead of canned, he responded that even $1 per bag for the frozen alternative was too expensive for his budget. I have realized that my clients don’t necessarily lack the motivation or the desire to be healthier; many are very aware of what they should do, but their current circumstances make their goals much more difficult to achieve.

As a nation, we need to reevaluate our food system and the messages that millions of Americans are exposed to every day. Heavy marketing for unhealthy products and the higher prices associated with more nutritious foods make it more difficult to promote healthy behaviors. However, I am hopeful that the obesity epidemic can be reversed through advocacy, education, and large-scale partnerships. Supermarkets should take the initiative to revamp their advertising so that a 2-liter soda for $1 is not the first thing that customers see as they enter the store. Food stamps should be readily accepted at all farmers’ markets throughout the country. Schools should be encouraged to teach nutrition, incorporate healthier lunch options, and reinstate mandatory physical education so that children are constantly exposed to and encouraged to develop healthy habits. The time has come for the government, food industry, and local communities to join efforts and address the weight of the nation.

1. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/
2. http://www.healthiestweightflorida.com/
3. http://www.gallup.com/poll/164513/income-not-food-deserts-blame-obesity....

This blog post was written by NFHC member Victoria Jiang.

Victoria serves at the FDOH Clay County: Bear Run Clinic as the Healthiest Weight Coach.