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For Immediate Release: February 24, 2009
AUGUSTA– With obesity rates continuing to rise in Maine, a group of legislators announced a legislative package at a press conference on Tuesday aimed at trimming those numbers. The lawmakers were joined by groups like the Maine Medical Association and the American Heart Association in calling for greater access to nutrition information for restaurant-goers, increased collection of children’s health data and for more physical education at Maine’s schools as part of a comprehensive approach to fighting obesity.
“There is now indisputable evidence that obesity and overweight are fast overtaking tobacco use as the number one cause of chronic disease and early death in Maine and the nation,” said Dennise Whitley of the American Heart Association. “We, at the American Heart Association, are focusing efforts on obesity related initiatives because obesity in children and adults has reached epidemic proportions. Over $350 million is spent every year in Maine on medical expenses attributable to obesity. As a result of overweight and obesity, this generation of children may be the first in recent history to not live as long as their parents.”
Gathered for an annual meeting to highlight issues surrounding cardiovascular disease in women, the group focused on the need to take greater steps in preventing obesity in Maine. Obese individuals present a much higher rate of chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, arthritis and cardiovascular diseases. Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree has submitted legislation that would require chain restaurants with more than 15 establishments nationally to post caloric information on their menus and menu boards.
“Whether you are dieting or just like to compare products, the information we’ve all had for nearly 18 years in the grocery store has helped Maine consumers make decisions,” said Speaker Pingree. “It hasn’t forced choices or told people what to eat – but provided them with basic health data. Our proposal aims to do the same thing in Maine for those restaurants that have both regular formula menus and have, for the most part, already successfully complied with this law in other parts of the country.”
New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon and the State of California have all enacted similar policies and on February 24 and 25 the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is holding public hearings on a calorie posting regulation for that state. In New York City, where the policy has been most widely implemented to this date, the response from consumers has been positive. A recent poll showed that 90 percent of restaurant-goers in New York City claimed the calorie content of their order was higher than they would have expected and that 82 percent said the information is affecting what they order.
Rep. Helen Rankin (D- Hiram) is sponsoring another initiative to aid in the fight against obesity. Rankin is proposing that the Maine Center for Disease Control work with the Department of Education and local schools to collect body mass index (BMI) data on Maine’s children. BMI is a statistical measurement which compares a person's weight and height. Due to its ease of measurement and calculation, it is the most widely used screening tool to identify potential overweight and obesity problems within a population.
Rankin’s bill would keep the BMI data confidential and would only be used to allow the state to get a better picture of where Maine’s kids stand. Currently, some school districts collect this information voluntarily, but there is no central authority established to report to and current statistics are drawn from only self-reported data. Self-reported data can be problematic as most people, especially children, cannot accurately state their height or weight. Rankin’s bill would set out a protocol for uniform measurement.
“As a long-time school nutritionist, I have seen what we all know to be true: that more of our children are already at unhealthy weights earlier in their lives,” said Rep. Rankin. “My bill would give us a better handle on the extent of the problem by giving us better data. It would not overly burden schools or put individuals on the spot.”
Exercise is clearly a linchpin in any effort to reduce obesity and improve health, but too few of Maine’s school children receive an opportunity for regular physical activity. While the Maine Learning Results state that “Students will acquire the knowledge needed to be physically fit and take part in healthful physical activity on a regular basis.” Physical Education is also a core content area requiring “adequate time” in the school day. However there is a divergence over what “regular” and “adequate” means.
Rep. Lisa Miller (D- Somerville), who has a background in public health, is advocating for the implementation of the PE4ME initiative. The PE4ME initiative was recommended for implementation after a study issued to the Legislature late last year. PE4ME would encourage all K-8 students in all Maine schools receive at least 30 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and at least 150 minutes per week of physical education that is evidence-based, health-related, and teaches students the motor and behavioral skills needed to develop an active, physically fit lifestyle.
“There is no silver bullet to good health, but a comprehensive approach that stresses physical activity will make a difference,” said Rep. Miller. “Children who get regular, structured physical activity once a week are 5 percent less likely to be an overweight adult and if they get it every school day their odds drop by 28 percent. It is a common misperception that children have daily or weekly physical education, but this just isn’t the case anymore.”
Becky Smith, Executive Director of Health Policy Partners of Maine, a statewide organization that promotes public policy change to reduce chronic disease, stated: “There is no one silver bullet to reduce obesity, it will take a strong commitment from everyone in Maine. Speaker Pingree and Representatives Miller and Rankin have proposed three bills that will make a huge difference. This comprehensive approach of providing information, evaluating the problem and increasing physical education and physical activity will help us reach or goal of being the healthiest state in the nation.”
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