F as in Fat

This came out a couple weeks ago, but I just came back to F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009 yesterday while digging through some literature for an article. From an introduction to this report:

Adult obesity rates increased in 23 states and did not decrease in a single state in the past year, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009, a report released today by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). In addition, the percentage of obese and overweight children is at or above 30 percent in 30 states.

It's mildly depressing that obesity went up in half the states in the country and didn't decrease anywhere. Not good... One of the other findings that I thought was interesting:

The current economic crisis could exacerbate the obesity epidemic. Food prices, particularly for more nutritious foods, are expected to rise, making it more difficult for families to eat healthy foods. At the same time, safety-net programs and services are becoming increasingly overextended as the numbers of unemployed, uninsured and underinsured continue to grow. In addition, due to the strain of the recession, rates of depression, anxiety and stress, which are linked to obesity for many individuals, also are increasing.

I know challenges buying (and preparing) healthier foods are consistently mentioned in the literature and our own research onto why adults have a hard time preparing healthy meals for themselves and their children. While the economy muddles along and unemployment doesn't seem to be getting any better, somehow I'm doubtful that obesity rates are going to start dropping as the economy turns around.

That would be an interesting health promotion effort, though... In advertising a lot of consumers have cut back from branded products (detergents, shampoos, etc.) and a lot of companies are concerned how consumers will respond once the economy picks up. Will they go back to Tide and Kleenex and Oreos? Or will they stick with private label brands once they've become used to the quality (or realized there is no difference)? Maybe it would be productive to try and engage the public on eating healthier as they have more money to spend on food instead of just "trading up" to branded junk food again...