A new study from the Urban Institute, co-authored by Tim Garson, M.D., M.P.H., M.A.C.C., recommends that we follow the example of tobacco opponents to help curb obesity in the U.S. The report, Reducing Obesity: Policy Strategies from the Tobacco Wars, notes that raising taxes on tobacco, improving labeling on tobacco products and restricting advertising helped to reduce use of tobacco and suggests that these tactics could help reduce unhealthy eating habits among kids, as well.

Dr. Garson and the Urban Institute recommend the following:

• Impose a 10 percent tax on fattening foods (to be defined).
• Limit advertising of certain foods to children.
• Add "traffic light" nutrition labels to the front of food packages and list calories on the menus at chain restaurants.

Of course opponents in the food and beverage industry dismiss these ideas as ineffective. We have to try something to combat this dangerous epidemic. These recommendations seem as good a place as any to start!

*** Image from Flickr (SuperFantastic). ***

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