News Stories

Key to addressing obesity crisis is prevention

Much like prevention put a stop to the small pox and polio epidemics, UC nutrition scientists now believe prevention is the best hope in addressing the obesity epidemic that is besieging the United States. “The emphasis on weight loss squanders limited resources,” said Patricia Crawford, the co-director of the UC Berkeley Center for Weight and Health. Crawford researched the most promising areas of dietary intervention to share the results with UC Cooperative Extension nutrition educators. She identified 11 areas where parents and professionals should focus their efforts to prevent overweight:

1. Dietary fat – Reduce dietary fat, especially from animal sources.
2. Eating out – Lobby for calorie listings on menus.
3. Fast foods – Limit fast food and choose very carefully.
4. Caloric intake – Physical activity cannot compensate for excessive energy intake.
5. Energy density – High energy density gives small portions lots of calories.
6. Portion size – Packaged and restaurant portions have grown substantially.
7. Dietary fiber – A low-fiber diet is related to obesity.
8. Fruits and vegetables – Experts suggest 9 to 13 servings per day.
9. Dairy and calcium – Research suggests calcium increases the breakdown of fat.
10. Breakfast skipping – Skipping breakfast is related to overeating later in the day.
11. Sweetened beverages – Non-diet sweetened beverages should be eliminated or limited.

Media contact: Patricia Crawford, crawford@socrates.berkeley.edu, (510) 642-5572.

Health at every size

Despite the fact that Americans spend $60 billion dollars every year to lose weight, UC scientists say weight loss data consistently reveal that the vast majority of dieters fail, usually repeatedly. “It’s time to let the public know that fat people cannot be thin,” said Joanne Ikeda, a UC Berkeley nutrition extension specialist. That doesn’t mean that UC Cooperative Extension is abandoning those already deemed to be overweight. Ikeda is working with UCCE nutrition educators to teach Californians that, whatever people’s size or shape, they can be healthy. She suggests all people accept their size, be active and eat right. “When people feel good about their bodies, they are more motivated for good behavior,” Ikeda said. Media contact: Joanne Ikeda, jikeda@berkeley.edu, (510) 642-2790.

Obesity is a barrier to preventative health care

Ironically and tragically, obesity, which itself causes health problems, gets in the way of preventative health care, according to a study conducted by Nancy Amy, a UC Berkeley nutrition professor. Amy surveyed 498 heavy women and conducted nine focus groups. Among the participants in her study, 90 percent had health insurance, 5 percent had Medicare, and high percentages were educated and had full-time jobs. However, 41 percent of the participants delayed cancer screening and 68 percent of the heaviest women delayed seeking healthcare because they are overweight. The reasons they gave included embarrassment at being weighed, unsolicited advice to lose weight, negative attitudes of health care providers, and medical equipment (tables, gowns, and even blood pressure cuffs) that are too small. Amy also surveyed health care providers about their experiences with obese or overweight women. Only 50 percent reported specific education in the medical management of large patients, and only 5 percent said they had education specific to caring for patients over 350 pounds. Media contact: Nancy Amy, nkamy@nature.berkeley.edu, (510) 642-8178.