Another obesity theory

By: Trice Whitefield
Newspaper: Los Angeles Times

Even though, as senior Tufts University researcher Susan Roberts puts it, "there is no definitive answer on 'what went wrong' " with Americans' weight, lawmakers seem to have already formed a very defined focus in terms of fixing it. In the last year alone, state and local politicians in California pushed countless food-focused, obesity policies: fast food moratoriums, menu labeling laws, soda taxes, etc.

But, as The Times' obesity feature demonstrates, they may be way off target.

Health officials shouldn't be so quick to vilify our diets. "Healthy" doesn't mean giving up a certain food or drastically slashing our calorie intake.

It's about all of our small, daily choices: turning off the TV, climbing the stairs and taking that extra step.

Trice Whitefield

Senior research analyst, Center for Consumer Freedom

Washington, D.C.