In The Voting Booth (NAPSA)—The fight against obesity in America is a major bat- tle, and one that should matter to voters this year. Two out of three Americans suffer from overweight or obesity and studies show that having obesity increases yourrisk of develop- ing over 50 other diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. “Voters should demand that presidential candidates make obesity a national public health priority.” —Campaign to End Obesity @ Many health experts agree that obesity is a complex disease that will not go away unless govern- mentaction is taken. “If I were runningfor office and something affected two-thirds of my constituents, I would certainly have something to say about the issue. Voters should demand that the next administration’s health care platform address obesity directly. Otherwise, all other health care reforms will be dwarfed by the rising costs,” said Jessica Donze Black, executive director of the Campaign to End Obesity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting America’s costly obesity epidemic. When Americans cast their votes, the candidates’ plans for addressing the obesity epidemic should factor into their decisions. Federal policy could play a critical role in reversing the current trend by increasing opportunities for physical activity, improving access to healthy foods and fixing the health care delivery system to better prevent, manage and treat the condition. For more information to help guide yourvote, visit www.obesity campaign.org.
