SMALL STEPS HEALTHIER THAN SHORTCUTS: CARING FOR BODY TAKES MORE THAN CRASH DIET, REQUIRES RIGHT 'ENERGY BALANCE'

Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune
By Susan Finn
February 24, 2004

We Americans love recipes - and not just the kind that involve food. Our daily lives are filled with prescriptions, formulas and step-by-step guides for solving problems. Unfortunately, we have a tendency to focus on the end results of these recipes, rather than on the fundamental ingredients.

This tendency is especially true in the case of the growing obesity epidemic. Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that obesity is a public health crisis. The good news? These same statistics show that this problem is reversible and preventable if approached in a comprehensive and sustainable way.

Because obesity is rooted in intricate biological, cultural, psychological and social dynamics, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to staying healthy. But in the spirit of easy-to-consume recipes, the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition attempts to break down - or digest - the best course of action for reversing obesity trends.

Step One: Accept the one proven prevention formula: reducing calories and increasing physical activity. With all the attention and confusion about weight-loss programs, it is no wonder Americans have strayed from the basic fundamentals of weight management.
Effective obesity policy must seek energy balance by looking at both sides of the healthy-lifestyle equation. Like a crash diet, one-dimensional programs that restrict choices of foods or drinks give the satisfaction of taking dramatic action, but the results are not sustainable over time.

Step Two: Embrace energy balance as the best prevention strategy and actively seek ways to incorporate it into daily life. As tempting as it may be to seek shortcuts, maintaining a healthy weight and achieving optimal health requires a balance of physical activity and nutrition tailored to meet individual needs and preferences.

To assist the "calorie intake," or food side of the equation, the food and beverage industry is working to offer consumers a wide variety of nutritious choices, including offering better-for-you foods and promoting improved understanding of nutrition.

Food and beverage companies are removing trans fat from products, offering single-serving packages and reformulating products to reduce calories, fat and sugars, lower cholesterol and add vitamins. The industry also is committed to communicating clearly in labeling, packaging and advertising to enable consumers to make informed choices that best meet their health goals and physical activity levels.

To address physical activity needs, look to programs like America on the Move, a rapidly expanding grassroots initiative that promotes active living through simple, everyday actions. For example, America on the Move suggests simple steps like parking farther from your destination, walking the aisles of the grocery store before you begin shopping and walking to a co-worker's office instead of calling or sending e-mail.

Step Three: Educate to reverse the tide of obesity. Research consistently demonstrates that people recognize they are responsible for maintaining a healthy weight - they just want clear information and a little direction. Ultimately, individuals have to make their own choices about the foods they eat and the level of physical activity in which they engage. This is just one area in which government is playing an important role.

A newly unveiled U.S. Health and Human Services education campaign embraces the fundamental elements of energy balance through smart eating and increased physical activity. Dubbed Small Steps to Better Health, the campaign encourages families to make small changes in their diets and physical activity, like replacing a Sunday drive with a Sunday walk or drinking fat free milk, rather than whole milk. The Web site, www.smallstep.gov, highlights many more small steps people can take to make the transition toward a healthier lifestyle.

The recipe for curbing obesity and improving America's long-term health requires several fundamental ingredients. While it may take some time to perfect, an integrated approach across a number of different sectors is the way to get there. The more we get together and share knowledge and ideas, the more power we have to make a difference.

Susan Finn is chairwoman of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition and is a registered dietitian and past president of the American Dietetic Association.