More of the Same

While I hate to be pessimistic, this latest partnership to combat obesity leaves me wary. The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, composed of a mix of food companies, supermarkets and NGOs, wants to reduce obesity through energy balance.

The focus seems to be increasing physical activity and "creating healthier options". My concern is twofold. First, what food companies consider "healthier options" often seems to be jamming a so-so (or plain awful) product with extra fiber or spraying it with vitamins. Putting fiber in pop-tarts or froot loops may increase your fiber intake, but it doesn't make that product an excellent source for whole grains, and it's still not a fruit or vegetable. The second issue is that increasing physical activity is only half the battle. Exercise alone is not enough. Food companies want you to exercise more, but still buy their products. Don't be fooled. They want you to EAT MORE. They aren't going to undermine their own profitability to promote good health. Their might be a way to align the two (food company profitability and good health), but, so far, these industry-sponsored initiatives haven't worked that way (see earlier posts on Smart Choices).

There IS good news, though. The RWJF's involvement as an independent evaluator means there will be more accountability than we've seen previously. Fingers crossed.