Short Policy Paper-Calorie Labeling
Problem Definition:
Background Information: Obesity is a disease attacking at the core of this country. In 2003, the National Institutes of Health estimated 44 million American adults, approximately 64 percent of the adult population, are considered medically obese and that number has only increased since then8. This self-inflicted disease has contributed to as many as 300,000 deaths annually due to its causing many chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and elevated levels of blood cholesterol (see Appendix II, Figure II), making this the number two cause of death behind smoking according to former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop1. Even with all this statistics, many believe that obesity is a private issue and what we consume should not be a government issue. However, with Americans spending $117 billion annually to treat obesity-related health problems (an average of $420 per person), it becomes an issue for the public to debate. Policy Problem: Would requiring all food service locations to publicly post or display calorie counts on menus for all food items served be a cost effective and successful method of decreasing obesity and the diseases caused by obesity in the state of New Avery? Analysts Problem: Determine the causes of obesity and the effectiveness of calorie labeling at changing consumer’s eating habits. Analyze results from calorie labeling in other states, in addition to actions undertaken by the federal government. Look into substitutes to calorie labeling. Identify likely expanders and contractors of this policy. Recognize and weigh externalities, offsetting behaviors, and additional problems related to implementing calorie labeling. Investigate the costs and benefits of implementing this policy. Offer a recommendation in regard to implementing this policy on calorie labeling in the state of New Avery.
Background Information:
Legislative history: As of now, a little less than half of the states in the United States
Background Information: Obesity is a disease attacking at the core of this country. In 2003, the National Institutes of Health estimated 44 million American adults, approximately 64 percent of the adult population, are considered medically obese and that number has only increased since then8. This self-inflicted disease has contributed to as many as 300,000 deaths annually due to its causing many chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and elevated levels of blood cholesterol (see Appendix II, Figure II), making this the number two cause of death behind smoking according to former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop1. Even with all this statistics, many believe that obesity is a private issue and what we consume should not be a government issue. However, with Americans spending $117 billion annually to treat obesity-related health problems (an average of $420 per person), it becomes an issue for the public to debate. Policy Problem: Would requiring all food service locations to publicly post or display calorie counts on menus for all food items served be a cost effective and successful method of decreasing obesity and the diseases caused by obesity in the state of New Avery? Analysts Problem: Determine the causes of obesity and the effectiveness of calorie labeling at changing consumer’s eating habits. Analyze results from calorie labeling in other states, in addition to actions undertaken by the federal government. Look into substitutes to calorie labeling. Identify likely expanders and contractors of this policy. Recognize and weigh externalities, offsetting behaviors, and additional problems related to implementing calorie labeling. Investigate the costs and benefits of implementing this policy. Offer a recommendation in regard to implementing this policy on calorie labeling in the state of New Avery.
Background Information:
Legislative history: As of now, a little less than half of the states in the United States
References: Bettelheim, Adriel. (1999). Obesity and health. CQ Researcher, 9(2) Downs, Julie S., George Loewenstein, Jessica Wisdom Farley, Thomas. (2009). New york City’s fight over calorie labeling. Retrieved September 12, 2011, from http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/28/6/w1098.short Food and drug administration Food labeling; calorie labeling of articles of food in vending machines.(2011). Federal Register, 76(66) Fore, Andrea V The government 's efforts to improve. (2011). Retrieved September 13, 2011, from http://www.lexisnexis.com.proxy.library.cornell.edu/hottopics/lnacademic/ Greenblatt, Alan Harnack, Lisa J. (2008). Effects of calorie labeling and value size pricing on fast food meal choices: Results from an experimental trial. Retrieved September 14, 2011, from http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/5/1/63 Library of congress: thomas Mantel, Barbara. (2010). Preventing obesity. CQ Researcher, 30(34), September 13, 2011. Nestle, Marion, P Variyam, Jayachandran N. (2003). Nutrition labeling in the food-away-from-home sector No. 4)United States Department of Agriculture.