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1 From the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition, Washington, DC
2 Presented at the symposium "Science-Based Solutions to Obesity: What Are the Roles of Academia, Government, Industry, and Health Care?", held in Boston, MA, March 10–11, 2004 and Anaheim, CA, October 2, 2004. 3 Supported by The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition, which is supported by the food and beverage industry. 4 Address reprint requests and correspondence to S Finn, American Council for Fitness and Nutrition, PO Box 33396, Washington, DC 20033-3396. E-mail: finn.s{at}earthlink.net.
ABSTRACT
There exists a complex relationship between food and health in our society that is intrinsically linked to our obesity epidemic. The food and beverage industry recognizes that it can influence and modify the eating behavior of Americans. The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition was formed in January 2003 as a partnership of food and beverage companies, trade associations, and nutrition advocates that work together to create long-lasting remedies for the obesity epidemic. The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition recognizes that the current American lifestyle contributes to an energy imbalance and, therefore, supports approaches that aim to correct that imbalance. The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition also supports the underrepresented populations that are disproportionately affected by obesity, specifically, the African American and Hispanic American communities. Cooperation between industry, government, and academia will be key in establishing long-term strategies to help consumers make healthy lifestyle choices.
Key Words: Food and beverage industry • healthy America • energy balance • food and health • healthy products • consumer choices
INTRODUCTION
The escalating incidence of overweight and obesity among Americans, adults and children alike, has catapulted scrutiny of the food–health dynamic into the national spotlight. Everyone has an opinion on the issue, from public health advocates and policy makers to food and beverage companies and consumers. Who is responsible for ensuring that Americans of all ages follow a healthy diet? Government? Scientists? Food makers and marketers? Schools? Parents? The answer is all of the above.
As in any multifaceted issue, perspective is everything. The complex relationship between food and health is no different. Where some observers see dichotomy, others see synergy. Everyone can agree, however, that the challenges surrounding food and health cannot be overcome unilaterally. Indeed, everyone with a stake in the issue has something to bring to the table. It is in these divergent views that we find the fodder to create sustainable solutions.
Today, our most pressing food and health issue is obesity. In fact, obesity is altering the way we view our behavior, our beliefs, our culture, and our laws. The nutrition and behavioral research we are conducting and the participatory models that we are creating to halt the obesity epidemic are laying the foundation for how we will address other food- and health-related challenges in the future. Rest assured, such challenges will arise. The die has been cast: we can no longer separate how we eat from how healthy we are, or are not.
A CLOSER LOOK AT OBESITY
Like many public health crises, obesity did not happen overnight or even over a few years. In fact, obesity is deeply rooted in complex societal, cultural, psychological, and genetic trends (1-4). It has been growing stealthily for decades as a side effect of progress and prosperity. Today, 120 million Americans (64.5% of the adult population) are overweight (5). These people are our family members, our neighbors, and our coworkers.
Although being overweight or obese is still only a cosmetic issue for some people, most people who are above their recommended weight have at least an inkling that they are courting an increased array of health risks (6). Nutritionists and other health care professionals, however, know for a fact that healthy eating habits together with other healthful lifestyle behaviors have the potential to reduce the risk of chronic disease.
The food and beverage industry recognizes that it can play a powerful role in changing the eating behavior of Americans. Not only do food products influence consumer behavior and eating trends, but consumers consistently demonstrate fierce loyalty to their favorite food and beverage brands. In other words, the industry has consumers' attention. The question is, what are they doing with it?
INDUSTRY-WIDE ACTION
Food and beverage companies are accustomed to meeting a constant demand for new and improved products that combine taste, convenience, and nutrition. Historically, the industry has been quick to respond when called on to support public health goals. For example, in tandem with Healthy People 2000 (7), in 1991, the industry was called on to introduce 5000 new reduced-fat food products by the year 2000. In fact, food and beverage manufacturers met this goal by 1995.
Today, industry is once again stepping up to the challenge, both as individual companies and as a group. One of the most visible actions that brings industry's collective commitment to life is the formation of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN).
Formed in January 2003, ACFN is a broad coalition of food and beverage companies, trade associations, and nutrition advocates that are working together toward comprehensive and achievable solutions to the nation's obesity epidemic (8). ACFN has >90 members, including The American Dietetic Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and is guided by an advisory board of experts in the fields of nutrition, physical activity, and behavior change.
ACFN brings a consensus perspective on moderation and behavior modification to the obesity debate, balancing the voice of those who look for quicker perhaps less sustainable solutions. Accordingly, ACFNs message is one that all nutrition and other health professionals can embrace: energy balance.
Americans seem to have lost track of energy balance as a fundamental axiom of good health. To counter this trend, ACFN works with health professionals, educators, governments, policy makers, and consumers to develop lasting approaches to restore balance to the American diet. The council encourages its members to provide parents, teachers, and children with information and resources to assist them in making healthy lifestyle adjustments regarding physical activity and nutrition. ACFN also advocates for increased physical activity for every American, with an emphasis on giving students the opportunity to engage in 30 min of physical activity each day.
Finally, ACFN has also focused a portion of its most recent efforts on underserved populations, specifically the African American and Hispanic American communities that are disproportionately affected by the obesity epidemic. To this end, ACFN collaborated with local leaders to educate and encourage as many citizens as possible regarding the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. For example, in Baltimore, ACFN collaborated with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Maryland and the Baltimore International College School of Culinary Arts on a community-based summer program for urban minority youth. The 8-wk initiative was a turnkey for future programs, and it featured weekly interactive cooking segments, basic nutrition instruction, an interactive educational component, and fitness activities to help empower children to incorporate healthy eating and fun physical activity into their daily lives.
In June 2004, ACFN partnered with the National Supermarkets Association to host an educational festival for Hispanic families in Corona, NY. Nearly 400 families participated in the event, which included healthy lifestyle information and practical nutrition tips, physical activity for the whole family, and a healthful and culturally relevant food demonstration by noted "Nuevo Latino " cuisine chef Rafael Palomino.
Although ACFN is illustrative of industry-wide collaboration, there are several other significant examples of food and beverage industry commitment. For example, the industry has pledged to communicate clearly in labeling, packaging, and advertising to enable consumers to make informed choices that best meet their lifestyle needs and physical activity levels (9). In addition, the industry supports the proposals of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require labeling of trans fat and to allow more health claims. It also has petitioned the FDA to set regulatory standards for the full range of carbohydrate nutrient-content claims.
As a group, food and beverage companies are also conducting research that looks at the way consumers use the food label for nutrition information. This study will provide the FDA with valuable assistance in developing labels to better communicate calorie and serving size information. Furthermore, in line with the US Dietary Guidelines and the Food Guide Pyramid, the food and beverage industry is urging that Americans be advised to eat less, be more active, or do both to maintain a healthy weight.
The food industry is also actively engaged in the national obesity discussion, advocating policies that emphasize energy balance by bringing awareness to calories consumed and expended. For example, in Congress, the industry supported the "Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act," more commonly known as IMPACT legislation, as well as the Carol M. White Physical Education Program Grants. Both provide funding for community programs that help people make good choices about food and physical activity.
COMPANY-SPECIFIC ACTION
Specific food and beverage companies are also taking individual action to address consumer health and wellness through products, policies, and programs. A look at supermarket shelves reveals evidence of what these companies are doing. 1) Some are reformulating products to reduce calories, trans fat and sugars, lower cholesterol, add vitamins, and preserve taste, aroma, and mouth feel. 2) Others are offering smaller portion sizes; in fact, several companies are introducing 8-oz (240 mL) beverages and single-serving snack packages. 3) Some companies are communicating clearly in labeling, packaging, and advertising to enable consumers to make informed choices that best meet their lifestyle needs and physical activity levels. Two companies have introduced extensive labeling initiatives flagging products that are smart choices based on generally accepted criteria for fat, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugar. 4) Companies are promoting nutrition education and physical activity programs, with an emphasis on schools and local communities. One company alone has committed $5 million in funding for such programs.
NOW AND AGAIN
In making more better-for-you foods that can easily be incorporated into daily diets, companies are seeding an environment in which consumers can learn a "new normal": a new way to eat for a lifetime, not just a few weeks. Additionally, by supporting programs that promote nutrition education, physical activity, and physical education, companies are helping consumers continue to make smart lifestyle choices.
More and more consumers are realizing two truths that nutrition professionals have always known. First, that food and health are intimate partners. Second, that energy balance, through food and activity, is a fundamental principle of good health. As stakeholders in the health of Americans, all of us (government, advocacy groups, researchers, teachers, and industry) must collaborate to keep these messages alive and keep our family, friends, and neighbors well.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
SF is chair of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition, which is supported by the food and beverage industry.
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