Just in time for the New Year, a new poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that while the majority of Americans are aware of the nation’s growing obesity problem and its link to chronic health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease; many are split over whether the government should have a say in what types and how much of certain foods they should eat.
According to the findings, 8 out of 10 people cite too much TV and computer time as the most important reason for high rates of obesity, with easy access to cheap fast food and lack of desire or knowledge about how to control one’s weight as other major factors.
There is strong support for government policies that would add more time for physical activity in schools, provide information about healthy choices, and offer incentives to the food industry to produce healthier options. But there is little support for policies that would constrain consumer choices such as limits on the amount or type of food that can be purchased or taxes on unhealthy foods or drinks. (Think NYC’s ban on super-sized sugary drinks.) Nearly 6 in 10 oppose taxes on unhealthy foods, and 75% reject limiting what foods people can buy.
The poll also found the U.S. public considers obesity second only to cancer as the nation’s most serious health issue, with conditions closely related to obesity—diabetes and heart disease—tied for third. And when it comes to discrimination, 95% of the public believe obese people face some level of discrimination due to their weight.
“The American public has clearly gotten the message about obesity as a major public health issue, including its connection to other major health problems," said Trevor Tompson, director of the AP-NORC Center. “What is less clear is consensus about how to address the issue and a surprising number of overweight people who are not told by their physicians that it is an issue that needs attention."
The telephone survey was conducted from Nov. 21 through Dec. 14, 2012, and included more than 1,000 respondents.
According to the findings, 8 out of 10 people cite too much TV and computer time as the most important reason for high rates of obesity, with easy access to cheap fast food and lack of desire or knowledge about how to control one’s weight as other major factors.
There is strong support for government policies that would add more time for physical activity in schools, provide information about healthy choices, and offer incentives to the food industry to produce healthier options. But there is little support for policies that would constrain consumer choices such as limits on the amount or type of food that can be purchased or taxes on unhealthy foods or drinks. (Think NYC’s ban on super-sized sugary drinks.) Nearly 6 in 10 oppose taxes on unhealthy foods, and 75% reject limiting what foods people can buy.
The poll also found the U.S. public considers obesity second only to cancer as the nation’s most serious health issue, with conditions closely related to obesity—diabetes and heart disease—tied for third. And when it comes to discrimination, 95% of the public believe obese people face some level of discrimination due to their weight.
“The American public has clearly gotten the message about obesity as a major public health issue, including its connection to other major health problems," said Trevor Tompson, director of the AP-NORC Center. “What is less clear is consensus about how to address the issue and a surprising number of overweight people who are not told by their physicians that it is an issue that needs attention."
The telephone survey was conducted from Nov. 21 through Dec. 14, 2012, and included more than 1,000 respondents.
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