Statement of CSPI nutrition policy director Margo G. Wootan
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study on the leading causes of death shows that for those who don�t smoke, poor diet combined with physical inactivity is the leading cause of death. The Bush Administration�s response is more talk and no real help for the millions of Americans who would like to eat better and watch their weight.
The Bush Administration should instead get junk food out of schools, ask Congress to require calorie labeling in fast-food and other chain restaurants, strengthen CDC�s nutrition and physical activity division, and fully fund the CDC�s VERB campaign, which promotes physical activity to youth.
The Administration expresses appropriate concern about obesity, but its actions often fall flat. These innocuous half-steps make for good press releases but bad public health policy.