HOME HELP SUBSCRIBE ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS FEEDBACK EDITORIAL BOARD ABOUT DOC NEWS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                What's this?

If You Ran Things

DOC News asked:

What could your community do to promote physical activity and healthy eating habits?

I would attempt to change the culture of how people view health and food and nutrition. I would educate people and make people think that fast food isn't the way to go. It would be a market-driven thing, so fast-food restaurants would have to change and offer healthier food because that's what people want. It'll never happen.

Mario Rivera, MS

Program Evaluator

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Denver, Colo.

I'd focus first on the youngest people because that's where the behaviors, habits, and patterns form that last a lifetime. That's where our greatest opportunities lie.

You start with parental education, and that starts prenatally in the doctor's office. Continue in the school-age years with school programs that require physical activity, school lunches that offer kids appropriate choices, and getting rid of vending machines during school hours.

Bruce Cooper, MD, MSPH

Medical Director

Health Department of Northern Larimer County

Fort Collins, Colo.

Increase public health interventions, such as community changes, environmental changes, and policy. Make fewer fast-food restaurants in the community, make it easier for people to walk, and make changes in the school as well—interventions that affect a large number of people that are automatic. They'll have to do it because it's a part of their routine.

Nathan Peterson, MPH

Health Program Specialist

Utah Diabetes Prevention and Control Program

Salt Lake City, Utah

TALK BACK: THE FAT TAX

At the annual meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) in June, a committee discussed a resolution recommending that the trade group lobby for a modest federal tax on sweetened drinks, with the revenue earmarked for anti-obesity efforts such as exercise programs and healthier school meals.

The idea of a "fat tax" has been around for more than 30 years without gaining much traction. AMA tabled the proposition.

But aside from raising much-needed funds that could be put toward public health measures, a fat tax would help curb consumption as well, like the federal gas tax.

What do you think? Is a fat tax a good idea? Why or why not?

Send your comments to docnews{at}diabetes.org.

CiteULike    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                What's this?