A challenge for governments
By Marcel Côté
We like to call governments ineffective, costly and interventionist. Yet we entrust them with resolving social problems that are very difficult, if not impossible, to solve. Perhaps we should think twice before casting stones. Put yourself to the test and see how you would fare at solving one of these problems — the obesity crisis that is haunting 21st century Canada.
More than half of Canadians have a weight problem, and about 15% of adults are obese. The body mass index (BMI), the measurement to calculate obesity, is equal to a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters. A BMI of 25 to 30 indicates a person is overweight, while 30 or higher signals obesity. This means an adult who is 1.78 m (5 ft., 10 in.) tall and weighs more than 95 kg (209 lbs.) is obese.
Obesity reduces life expectancy by up to seven years; is the major cause of diabetes and a leading contributor to heart disease, cancer, kidney disease and arthritis. It is responsible for such ills as shortness of breath, fatigue and backaches. Its impact is greater than alcoholism and is fast approach-ing that of smoking. Obesity is also a driving factor in rising health care costs.
In fact, obesity has reached epidemic proportions, affecting ever-growing numbers of young people. In the US, more than 20% of teenagers are obese, which doesn't bode well for the future. Is society facing a new plague? While it is difficult to put a dollar amount on the problem, the annual cost to offset the impact of our collective excess weight surpasses 1% of the GDP, pushing the 2% mark.
We all know the causes: too many calories and too little exercise. A recent report from the Atlanta Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that in the US, adult males consume an average of 2,618 calories a day, 400 more than the 2,200 needed. Women consume an excess of 320 calories. For every 7,700 extra calories consumed, one kilo is stored as fat. It's no surprise the obesity rate has doubled in the US in 30 years. Canada is faring a little better, but the gap is narrowing.
Our lives have become sedentary and our travel motorized. We spend our leisure time glued to television and computer screens, and burning fewer calories.
Since eliminating obesity is a major public health issue, it is a major economic problem as well. But what advice would you give governments on how to control this epidemic?
Eat less: How can we get young people to eat less? Should jumbo-sized popcorn buckets and super-sized pop be banned? Suggestions have been made to reduce portions in school cafeterias. But how do we prevent adults from overeating, as weight gain usually occurs in adulthood?
Eat better: Should junk food be outlawed and manufacturers required to more clearly indicate the number of calories in a normal portion? How can we promote dietary fibre and discourage the consumption of overly refined foods?
Exercise: How can we get Canadians to walk and play more?
Make companies accountable: Obesity is a problem that involves social costs resulting from the strategies of companies in pursuit of higher profits. Fast food chains have a simple equation to resolve: the more they sell, the bigger the management bonuses. Should we then require food chain players (manufacturers, distributors, restaurant owners, etc.) to promote healthy eating? Should calories be "taxed" at all levels of the food chain?
Make individuals accountable: Should we point the finger at overweight Canadians? After all, they are partly responsible for the high cost of health services. Their tendency to overeat and not exercise enough is also to blame. And who is responsible for obesity among the young — parents, schools, McDonald's, Coca-Cola?
Do nothing: If we make it a matter of individual responsibility, then neither society nor governments need concern themselves. However, this laissez-faire attitude won't stop the epidemic from spreading and costs from skyrocketing.
The obesity epidemic forces us to rethink our individual beliefs about government intervention and establish shared responsibility. Ask what government should or can do. Give some thought to parents, schools, exercise, labelling, giant portions, junk food, etc. An epidemic of historic proportions is spreading across the globe. If you have any suggestions for governments, please write to me. I'll share the best ideas with our readers.
Marcel Côté is a partner at SECOR Inc. in Montreal |
