Survey: More Adults Are Concerned About Childhood Obesity
via PRNewswire
A new Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll finds that a growing number of U.S. adults see childhood obesity as a problem in the U.S., with 84 percent calling it a "major problem," up from 77 percent from 2005. However, among those who are a parent or guardian of a child aged 12 and under, only 74 percent say it is a major problem (compared to 70 percent in 2005).
These are some of the results of a Harris Interactive® online survey of 2,078 U.S. adults, ages 18 years and over, of whom 432 are parents or guardians of children age 12 and under, conducted between June 26 and 28, 2006 for The Wall Street Journal Online's Health Industry Edition (
http://www.wsj.com/health).
The poll found that 81 percent of adults agree that children are becoming obese because parents aren't paying enough attention to their eating habits, not because of the food industry's marketing and advertising. Another 83 percent agree that public schools should do more to limit students' access to unhealthy foods, like snack foods, sugary soft drinks and fast food. About nine in 10 (89 percent) say that obesity among children will lead to higher health care costs for all Americans.
U.S. adults are divided on the government's role in addressing the issue. Just over half (55 percent) say the government should take companies to court if they mislead children and their parents about the nutritional value of foods, while 39 percent disagree. Fifty-three percent say the government should play a more active role in regulating the food industry's marketing toward children, compared with 42 percent who disagree. Likewise, only a third (34 percent) of adults agree that local governments should use zoning regulations to limit fast-food restaurants near schools, compared with 61 percent who disagree. The poll also shows a strong majority of adults believe more physical activity is part of the solution: Vast majorities say public schools should do more to promote regular exercise (93 percent) and parents should lead by example by being physically active themselves and encouraging their children to be physically active (94 percent).
SOURCE Harris Interactive
Editor's Insight: This survey indicates that the general public has a better idea about what needs to be done to address rising childhood obesity than many public officials. Huge majorities of adults believe that more physical activity is important and that schools should do more to promote regular exercise. Many government officials focus instead on changing nutrition requirements because it diverts the blame to another source (vending and foodservice) and doesn't require them to do anything. Today's VendingMarketWatch reports another proposed soda ban in Akron, Ohio. 07-14-06
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