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Obesity

Nutrition Policy
commentary
Why Nutrition Standards and Policies Should Continue
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
May 25, 2017
RealClearHealth
Rolling back nutrition standards means increasing risks for Americans and does not bode well for population health. Every effort should be made to maintain strong nutrition standards to protect the health of all Americans.
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Obesity
commentary
Five Myths About American Obesity
Ruopeng An, Roland Sturm
Mar 13, 2017
Politico
Two in three Americans are overweight or obese. There are many popular theories about what's causing the obesity epidemic, but many are not supported by data. What's clear is that most U.S. adults eat too many calories.
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Diet and Eating Habits
blog
Those Holiday Pounds You Gain Don't Go Away
Dec 20, 2016
People are more likely to choose unhealthy foods from November to December. And the holiday pounds they gain account for 60 to 70 percent of weight gained per year.
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Nutrition Policy
commentary
New Nutrition Labels Will Do Little to Bring Quality to American Diet
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Aug 19, 2016
Fox News Channel
Although good intentions led to the new nutrition labels, it is unlikely that they will improve the quality of the American diet. The label changes have not been tested in a real-world setting with the various factors that influence what people buy.
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Obesity
commentary
A Sweet Fix to Tackling Obesity in the UK?
Marco Hafner @econ_hafner
Jul 11, 2016
The RAND Blog
It is hard to tell whether or not the new sugar tax proposed in the UK budget will actually make a difference. There is no conclusive proof that a tax on sugar-based beverages leads to reductions in obesity levels.
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Nutrition Policy
commentary
Lack of Uniformity in Menu Labeling Could Confuse Consumers
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Mar 15, 2016
The Hill
A bill recently passed by the House would loosen nutritional labeling requirements, making it more complicated for consumers to make informed decisions about what to eat when dining out.
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Neighborhood Influences On Health
essay
The Surprising Ways That a Supermarket Changed a Food Desert
Feb 24, 2016
The arrival of a new grocery store in a 'food desert' neighborhood delivered some obvious health benefits. But the benefits had nothing to do with whether the residents shopped there.
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
It's Hard to Eat Less When There Is Too Much on Your Plate
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Feb 22, 2016
KevinMD.com
A recent review of 72 studies on portion sizes confirmed that when served more than they need, people eat more than they should. And there is clear evidence that portion sizes are dramatically larger than those served in the 1980s.
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
Junk Food: Why People Can't Control Themselves and What to Do About It
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Jul 21, 2015
The RAND Blog
Americans consumed far less junk when it wasn't so widespread. Consumption accelerated when marketers discovered they could stimulate 'impulse buys.'
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Nutrition Policy
commentary
After Trans Fats, Target America's Overeating
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Jul 10, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
In June, the FDA gave manufacturers three years to remove artificial trans fat from the food supply. This is an important step, but solving the problem of diet-related chronic diseases is much more complex than banning a single additive.
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Diet and Eating Habits
essay
Putting Health to the (Taste) Test
Jul 1, 2015
Researchers teamed up with a dozen Los Angeles lunch trucks to test healthier menu items—chicken breasts and grilled fish alongside the usual tacos and hamburgers.
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Nutrition Policy
commentary
Food Providers: Regulators Should Insist They 'First, Do No Harm'
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Apr 8, 2015
The RAND Blog
Everyone needs food, water, and shelter, yet society offers protective standards and regulations for just two of these three essentials. Food regulations focus on preventing illnesses like botulism, but when it comes to chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes, regulations offer little protection to U.S. consumers.
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Chronic Diseases and Conditions
commentary
Supermarkets Are the Problem
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Feb 26, 2015
Slow Food USA
Thirty percent of all supermarket sales can be attributed to end-of-aisle displays, where retailers have placed more foods that increase the risk of obesity and chronic diseases. Relocating those foods to less conspicuous places would still allow those who want them to get them, but the decision to buy would be deliberate rather than impulsive.
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
A New Year's Resolution: Target Practices That Undermine Weight Control
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Dec 29, 2014
Newsweek
Many will vow to lose weight in the coming year, but most will inevitably fail, not from lack of motivation or knowledge but from insuperable forces undermining their best intentions. America should resolve to address obesity where it begins: the point of purchase.
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
Calorie Labels Won't Fix America's Problem with Away-From-Home Food
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Dec 10, 2014
The Hill
The FDA's new guidelines for calorie labeling on restaurant menus, retail establishments like convenience stores and movie theaters, and vending machines are a long-due recognition that eating away from home can be hazardous to health. But the new mandate falls far short of providing the necessary fix.
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Obesity
commentary
To Fight Obesity, Make UC a Laboratory
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Oct 30, 2014
The Orange County Register
With its Global Food Initiative, the University of California is seeking ways to help the billion people who go to bed hungry each night. At the same time, UC could also be addressing obesity. Experimenting with changes to the food environment and documenting their impact on diet and weight gain would accelerate progress on this national problem not just for students, but for all Americans.
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Neighborhood Influences On Health
commentary
Location, Location, Location: Does the Food Desert Narrative Hold Up?
Madhumita Ghosh Dastidar, Tamara Dubowitz @TamaraDubowitz
Oct 28, 2014
The RAND Blog
There's little rigorous evidence to support the notion that 'food deserts' are driving the U.S. obesity epidemic. But this narrative has nearly become conventional wisdom. In response, stakeholders have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into bringing supermarkets to these neighborhoods.
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Obesity
commentary
Always Hungry? Here's the Real Reason Why
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Aug 15, 2014
Fox News Channel
The problem of obesity cannot be attributed to a single dietary or physiological factor, like too much sugar, too much fat, or even factors like viruses, bacteria, and endocrine disrupters. The real problem is that Americans now live in a food swamp and there is just too much food easily available.
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Obesity
commentary
What's Behind the Obesity Epidemic? Easily Accessible Food, and Lots of It
Roland Sturm
Jul 22, 2014
The Health Care Blog
That no group is immune to rising obesity rates suggests that universal environmental factors are driving the trend. The clearest change concerns food availability and cost.
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Nutrition Policy
commentary
Let's Regulate Food Like We Do Alcohol
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
May 19, 2014
New York Daily News
To help people avoid overeating, the kinds of policies effective in controlling alcohol consumption should be applied to food — standardizing portion sizes, limiting impulse marketing and reducing the convenience and salience of foods most closely associated with obesity and chronic diseases.
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Nutrition
commentary
Restaurant Standards Could Curb Fat America
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Mar 26, 2014
USA Today
Given the high prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases and their enormous societal burden, every restaurant, including fast food outlets, should offer healthier meal options and discourage over-consumption.
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Obesity
commentary
Obesity Epidemic: Standardized Portion Sizes in Restaurants Could Help Solve Public Health Crisis
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Mar 22, 2014
San Jose Mercury News
Ideally, restaurant food should be tailored and sold the way clothing is, so people can get the exact amount that is appropriate for their bodies. Such sizing options should be required in all dining establishments to give people the option of consuming meals that fit.
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Politics and Government
blog
State of the Union 2014: President Obama Calls for a Year of Action
Jan 29, 2014
Obama called for “a year of action” to achieve his 2014 agenda — from helping people sign up for health insurance, to immigration reform, to completing the mission in Afghanistan. RAND is committed to raising the level of public policy debates and offering evidence-based, actionable solutions.
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Obesity
commentary
Michelle Obama Shouldn't Be the Only One Fighting Obesity
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Jan 17, 2014
Politico
To identify the policies that will make a big fat dent in obesity rates, we first need an accurate diagnosis: Americans are overweight and obese because they are inundated with too much food. The use of impulse marketing strategies has skyrocketed, with invitations to indulge at every turn.
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Diet and Eating Habits
blog
Ask Me Anything: Deborah Cohen on How to End the Obesity Epidemic
Jan 8, 2014
Perhaps the most common New Year's resolution is improving our eating habits. According to Dr. Deborah Cohen, who hosted an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit yesterday, that's much easier said than done.
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Health Legislation
commentary
The Conspiracy to Keep You Fat
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Jan 6, 2014
Los Angeles Times
Just as we needed policies to protect people from having alcohol thrust in their faces everywhere they went, we need to develop and implement policies that protect people from food cues and triggers designed to make them eat when they're not hungry and over-consume.
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Obesity
commentary
Five Myths About Obesity
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Dec 27, 2013
The Washington Post
The obesity epidemic is among the most critical health issues facing the United States. Although it has generated a lot of attention and calls for solutions, it also has served up a super-sized portion of myths and misunderstandings.
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
'Tis the Season to Be Wary
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Dec 23, 2013
The RAND Blog
During the holiday season, a time when overindulgence is a tradition for many, food marketing creates especially serious challenges for people trying to limit their intake and make careful decisions about healthier eating.
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Obesity
commentary
What's in a Name? Calling Obesity a Disease Could Help Improve Chronic Disease Outcomes
Sydne Newberry
Oct 16, 2013
The RAND Blog
The American Medical Association officially designated obesity as a disease, hoping to help change the way doctors approach the issue with their patients, increase funding for research on effective treatments, spur insurers to cover prescription weight loss medications, and maybe even help de-stigmatize the condition.
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
The Skinny on the Freshman 15
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Aug 21, 2013
USA Today
Colleges should acknowledge their responsibility not to put their students at risk for weight gain, obesity and the host of chronic diseases related to poor diets, writes Deborah Cohen. Students have to make their own food choices, but it's colleges who're setting the table.
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Health Behaviors
commentary
Eating Better for Less
Roland Sturm, Derek Yach
May 28, 2013
Modern Healthcare
A combination of things might well slow the obesity epidemic while also improving the American people's overall nutritional well-being: lowering prices on healthier food, initiatives to control portion sizes, and a long-term campaign to support better food quality.
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
Ruling Can Lead to Tougher New York Soda Ban
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Mar 13, 2013
Bloomberg View
New York should see the judge's ruling as an opportunity to revise the law to close the loopholes, including the Big Gulp exemption, and develop regulations in line with the scientific consensus that even 16 ounces is way too much, writes Deborah Cohen.
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Public Health
commentary
The Super Bowl Halftime Show Should Not Be Promoting a Public Health Threat
Kristin R. Van Busum, Lauren E. Hunter
Feb 1, 2013
The Huffington Post
People who consume just one or two sugar-sweetened drinks a day have a 26 percent greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who rarely drink these beverages, write Kristin Van Busum and Lauren Hunter.
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
What Happens When a 'Food Desert' Gets an Oasis?
Tamara Dubowitz @TamaraDubowitz
Dec 13, 2012
The RAND Blog
In an era of budget constraints, policymakers confronting the U.S. obesity crisis need strong evidence from projects like PHRESH to inform decisions about where and how to invest, writes Tamara Dubowitz.
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
Candy at the Cash Register—A Risk Factor for Obesity and Chronic Disease
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen, Susan H. Babey
Oct 11, 2012
New England Journal of Medicine
Although placement is a factor that is right in front of our noses, we should consider treating it as a hidden risk factor, like carcinogens in water, because placement influences our food choices in a way that is largely automatic and out of our conscious control, write Deborah A. Cohen and Susan H. Babey.
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Obesity
commentary
Soda 'Ban' May Actually Increase Freedom of Choice
Lauren E. Hunter, Kristin R. Van Busum
Sep 24, 2012
The Huffington Post
Rather than obstructing freedom of choice, New York City's ban on big soda containers ban actually enhances it, write Lauren Hunter and Kristin Van Busum.
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
Can Improving the Options Improve Our Choices and Outcomes?
Chloe E. Bird @ChloeBirdPhD
Sep 18, 2012
The RAND Blog
Much of the talk has focused on how New York City's ban on sugary drinks, intended to curb obesity by improving dietary choices for consumers, will restrict individuals’ options. Of course, even after the ban, consumers can still buy a second soda. But they might want to take a moment to think about the consequences before doing so, writes Chloe Bird.
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
New York City Is Right to Treat Soda Like 'Demon Rum'
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen, Lila Rabinovich
Sep 14, 2012
Newsday
It is time we treated food with the same respect we hold for the power of alcohol. It's time to develop and implement regulations that will help us moderate our diets and stem the obesity epidemic, write Deborah Cohen and Lila Rabinovich.
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Diet and Eating Habits
blog
Strategies Used to Control Alcohol Abuse May Be Useful in Curbing Obesity
Aug 15, 2012
Strategies Used to Control Alcohol Abuse May Be Useful in Curbing Obesity
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
Bedside Manners: Obesity Is Not All Your Fault
Chloe E. Bird @ChloeBirdPhD, Tamara Dubowitz @TamaraDubowitz
Jul 26, 2012
Girl with Pen, Bedside Manners blog
We will be more successful at stemming the growing tide of obesity and improving our own health if everyone accepts their share of responsibility for the obesity epidemic, write Chloe E. Bird and Tamara Dubowitz.
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Obesity
commentary
Bloomberg Right That Portion Control Works
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Jun 11, 2012
USA Today
Regulations requiring the restaurant industry to serve standardized portion sizes should be mandated and enforced by the same authorities responsible for checking hygienic conditions in food outlets, writes Deborah Cohen.
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Health Behaviors
commentary
What's on the Menu? A Status Quo That Needs to Change
Helen Wu
May 23, 2012
RAND.org
If we want to make progress on the now-global obesity epidemic, we must challenge the status quo and make unhealthy food the new tobacco, writes Helen Wu.
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blog
American Adults Consume Twice the Recommended Amount of Junk Food
Apr 26, 2012
Is eating more fruits and vegetables the key to reducing obesity? Evidence suggests this may not be the most effective strategy. A recent RAND study of more than 2,700 adults found that calorie intake from cookies, candy, salty snacks, and soda was about twice as high as the recommended daily amount.
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Public Health
commentary
Worth Its Weight in Gold?
Roland Sturm
Apr 21, 2011
Public Service Review: European Union
In terms of healthcare use and chronic health conditions, obesity is comparable to aging 20 years, with the health of a 30 year old resembling that of a 50 year old, writes Roland Sturm.
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commentary
Marketing is Making Us Fat
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Mar 7, 2007
United Press International
Published commentary by RAND staff: Marketing is Making Us Fat, in United Press International.
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commentary
A Desired Epidemic: Obesity and the Food Industry
Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen
Feb 21, 2007
Washingtonpost.com
Published commentary by RAND staff: A Desired Epidemic: Obesity and the Food Industry, in Washingtonpost.com.
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commentary
Flooded with Food
Jan 7, 2007
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Published commentary by RAND staff: Flooded with Food, in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
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