Government, Private Sector Should Address Obesity Issue, Sen. Frist Writes

The rate of obesity in the United States has reached "epidemic proportions," and the federal government and private sector should provide more information, healthier diet selections and increased opportunities for physical activity to help address the problem, Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) writes in a Knoxville News-Sentinel opinion piece. Frist asks lawmakers to pass a bill (S 2821) he introduced in July that would establish a "collaborative effort" between the government and the private sector to address obesity in the United States. According to Frist, the legislation would "provide our children and parents with the information they need to make the right decisions about nutrition and physical fitness." Frist writes that the government must conduct additional research to "find new solutions" to the obesity epidemic and provide funds to "expand already successful programs." In addition, increased "oversight, better coordination of existing programs and limited pilot programs can help us find innovative, cost-effective ways to reduce and prevent obesity," he writes. Frist concludes, "Through greater awareness of what causes obesity, the promotion of good nutrition and the importance of physical activity, we can ... make a real impact to improve our nation's health" (Frist, Knoxville News-Sentinel, 9/19).