Aiming to reduce Mass: state tackles obesity

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

Massachusetts plans to fight obesity by requiring restaurant chains to post calorie counts and by educating parents - moves local experts say can make for a healthier population.

According to the state's Department of Public Health, the percentage of Massachusetts adults who were overweight or considered obese rose from 43 percent in 1990 to 59 percent in 2007.

That included more than half the state's adults and almost a third of high school and middle school students. And from 1998 to 2007, the percentage of Massachusetts adults with diabetes - which is linked to obesity - almost doubled, from 3.8 percent to 7.4 percent.

The state initiative, called "Mass in Motion," was unveiled Thursday. It follows similar programs in New York City, which already requires calorie counts at fast-food chains, and California, which recently enacted a statewide requirement for such counts.

"We're able to benefit from the fact that the larger markets have already addressed this issue," Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach said.

The plan goes before the state's Public Health Council next week. Member Dr. Alan Woodward said he expects broad support. A final vote would follow a public comment period, and the rules could take effect in the fall.

The state campaign includes a report outlining the epidemic in Massachusetts, as well as a regulatory package requiring restaurant labeling and educating parents about the meanings of their child's physical measurements.

Setting target

Epi Bodhi, Amherst's director of public health, said the state's initiative correctly targets the sources of the problem.

"I believe whatever we can do systemically and policy-wise to battle the obesity problem will have the best effects," said Bodhi. "I'm glad that the state is going to steer us in this direction. If there are ways that we can piggyback onto this locally, I think that would be great."

Christine Sass, director of the Tobacco Free Network and Wellness Program in Northampton, is encouraged by the proposed program. She said it could dramatically affect health awareness.

"Having people really ask for, and then use, the information makes a big difference. As a parent myself, and as someone in public health, with this information available you can become much more aware about what your intake is, how you feed your children and how you can adjust those numbers," she said.

Although she recognized that sending health-related information to families will create large-scale awareness about healthy eating habits, Baystate Medical Center dietitian Rubina Husain said more has to be done to combat obesity.

"I'm hoping that there is going to be more intervention going along with the information," she said. "I personally don't think that giving them a bunch of numbers is going to be helpful; they are going to need tools to go along with them, like information about goals for exercise."

But Husain said she has seen calorie numbers posted at both fast-food chains and sit-down restaurants in New York and has read studies indicating that their use has resulted in people eating less.

"You walk into a restaurant and you have the item, the calories and the price listed," she said. "I felt that was really helpful because you could base your decision on that."

Dunkin' Brands Inc. of Canton, the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins ice cream shops, said it already provides customers with nutritional information and has worked to develop low-calorie products. Its stores, though, are franchised and the new requirement would be burdensome to franchise owners, the company said.

"It's unfortunate that these businesspeople, who steadfastly comply with all city, state and federal regulations, may potentially be subjected to rules that will not apply to similar businesspeople in the area," Dunkin' Brands said in a statement.

Fast-food chains would be targeted for labeling because they have uniform portions and consistent menus, allowing them to easily disseminate their calorie counts. They also tend to serve high-calorie meals and are often frequented by lower-income customers seeking inexpensive food. Calorie information would have to be posted on boards behind the order counter.

Student heights and weights are already measured annually, but under a new regulation, that data would have to be calculated into a "body mass index," or BMI, for students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10. The results would be sent to parents in a package explaining what they mean and how parents can best combat obesity. The body mass index uses a person's weight and height to measure a person's overall proportions.

"We're trying to take information that, in most instances, sits in a child's file and convey it to a parent and the state so we can help a parent understand concerns with obesity ... and help them to do something about it," Auerbach said.

While 18 other states require a BMI calculation, Massachusetts officials believe they would be the first to require giving it to parents a state-approved package that explains it.