AHA pushes ‘population-level intervention’ to combat obesity

In a new scientific statement, the American Heart Association recommends the U.S. address rising obesity rates by adopting policy and environmental changes at the local, state and federal levels, thus making it easier for individuals to make healthier choices (Source: “Population-Based Strategy Urged to Cut U.S. Obesity Rate,” Forbes, June 29, 2008).

Among the areas identified by the AHA for potential policy intervention are determining the location of fast-food restaurants, restaurant portion sizes and the availability of high-fat foods and sweetened drinks.  The AHA also recommends that governments reconsider community design and infrastructure with a focus on increasing the “walkability” of neighborhoods.

"The concept of population-level interventions to change contexts for individual behavior is well-known from the experience with tobacco regulations," said Shiriki Kumanyika, chair of the statement working group and a professor of epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia. "Changes in these areas can eventually become 'normal' and displace the current 'normal' ways of doing things. Right now, you have to be pretty single-minded to make some of these choices, such as walking or riding a bike instead of driving. We advocate changes that will move the social norm to where physical activity is the custom."