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Obesity Study Should Not Cause a Rush to Legislative Action

Posted on: Monday, 29 August 2005, 18:00 CDT

A new report suggests Mainers aren't doing a good job in fighting the battle of the bulge, as recent statistics showed that Maine has the highest percentage of obese adults in all of New England. Maine also had the largest gain in obesity over the 2002-2004 period.

In response, a national advocacy group has called for increased governmental action in dealing with the issue.

While it is true that obesity is a significant public health issue, Maine legislators should be careful in enacting new or reworked public policy initiatives to fight the problem. Yes, higher obesity rates lead to greater economic repercussions. The medical costs related to obesity and poor nutrition are significant, as stresses on hearts, lungs and vascular systems play out as more intensive and more expensive medical care down the road.

Maine officials, however, should recognize that personal responsibility is also a key component to health. At some point, government's role can become too intrusive. Maine, for example, rejected a proposal that would have forced chain restaurants, but not all eateries, to put calorie counts on menus.

The Legislature also elected not to pursue a program that would have used school programs to inform parents about body fat measurements of their children. Both are examples of stepping over the line that divides personal and governmental responsibility.

The state, however, is on the right track with an effort by the Maine Center for Public Health, a private, nonprofit group established by the Legislature in 1996. A program sponsored by the MCPH trains physicians to teach children about obesity and nutrition.

That, plus health programs and nutrition standards in schools, are approaches that help people to make more effective choices, based on incentives and knowledge.

Source: Portland Press Herald

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