obesity prevention: taking menu-labeling local
By Rachel Deason, Houston City Hall Fellow '10
Last fall, as part of my Fellowship, I conducted a policy analysis of what is going on with menu labeling legislation at the city, state, and federal level. The term “menu labeling” refers to the mandated posting of calorie information on menus and menu boards at fast food and other large chain restaurants. Many public health experts believe this legislation could help to stem the obesity epidemic, which is taking its toll on Texas and other states around the country.
According to the Texas Health Institute more than 29% of Texans in 2007 were obese, while two out of three adults in Texas were overweight. These numbers represent an unabated 20-year upward trend in the number of severely overweight residents. Even more disturbing is that obesity rates in Texas have more than doubled since 1990, when the Texas rate stood at 12.3 percent. Children are affected as well, with studies showing that every third child born in 2000 is likely to wind up with diabetes. Diabetes is only one of several chronic illnesses that are linked to obesity. Robert Gould, president and CEO of Partnership for Prevention, said “Today's children face the prospect of being the first generation in history to live sicker and die younger than their parents.”
Obesity is also costing Texans the big bucks. Recent reports estimate that Texas spends more than $5.7 billion on obesity-related chronic conditions, including hypertension, cancer, diabetes and back problems. If obesity levels continue to surge as projected, Texans will spend more than $23.2 billion on obesity-linked health care in 2018, or about $1,255 per adult.
Menu labeling legislation will provide consumers with the information they need to make healthier choices. Menu labeling laws have been passed in 4 states, and have been introduced in 25 other states. City government officials have also taken up the fight, with New York City leading the way as the first city to implement this legislation. On the federal level, until June of 2009, there had been two versions of menu labeling legislation, commonly referred to as the LEAN Act and the MEAL Act. Compromise language has been taken from each of these bills, and is included in the health care bill that is currently making its way through the United States Senate. These provisions, if passed, will require chain restaurants with more than 20 locations nationally to post calorie information on their menu boards, drive through boards, and printed menus. This important legislation will be one more weapon with which consumers can fight off the obesity epidemic.
The most exciting aspect of my research came about after I had already completed my analysis. I had the opportunity, along with my supervisor, to meet with two lobbyists from the American Heart Association to discuss the idea of beginning a grassroots campaign in Houston to promote menu labeling legislation. I hope to be able to serve on this task force and put everything I learned in my research into action!
Last fall, as part of my Fellowship, I conducted a policy analysis of what is going on with menu labeling legislation at the city, state, and federal level. The term “menu labeling” refers to the mandated posting of calorie information on menus and menu boards at fast food and other large chain restaurants. Many public health experts believe this legislation could help to stem the obesity epidemic, which is taking its toll on Texas and other states around the country.
According to the Texas Health Institute more than 29% of Texans in 2007 were obese, while two out of three adults in Texas were overweight. These numbers represent an unabated 20-year upward trend in the number of severely overweight residents. Even more disturbing is that obesity rates in Texas have more than doubled since 1990, when the Texas rate stood at 12.3 percent. Children are affected as well, with studies showing that every third child born in 2000 is likely to wind up with diabetes. Diabetes is only one of several chronic illnesses that are linked to obesity. Robert Gould, president and CEO of Partnership for Prevention, said “Today's children face the prospect of being the first generation in history to live sicker and die younger than their parents.”
Obesity is also costing Texans the big bucks. Recent reports estimate that Texas spends more than $5.7 billion on obesity-related chronic conditions, including hypertension, cancer, diabetes and back problems. If obesity levels continue to surge as projected, Texans will spend more than $23.2 billion on obesity-linked health care in 2018, or about $1,255 per adult.
Menu labeling legislation will provide consumers with the information they need to make healthier choices. Menu labeling laws have been passed in 4 states, and have been introduced in 25 other states. City government officials have also taken up the fight, with New York City leading the way as the first city to implement this legislation. On the federal level, until June of 2009, there had been two versions of menu labeling legislation, commonly referred to as the LEAN Act and the MEAL Act. Compromise language has been taken from each of these bills, and is included in the health care bill that is currently making its way through the United States Senate. These provisions, if passed, will require chain restaurants with more than 20 locations nationally to post calorie information on their menu boards, drive through boards, and printed menus. This important legislation will be one more weapon with which consumers can fight off the obesity epidemic.
The most exciting aspect of my research came about after I had already completed my analysis. I had the opportunity, along with my supervisor, to meet with two lobbyists from the American Heart Association to discuss the idea of beginning a grassroots campaign in Houston to promote menu labeling legislation. I hope to be able to serve on this task force and put everything I learned in my research into action!
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