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November 20, 2003                                                                                           202-331-1634

New Study Exploring Obesity Rates Ignores

Importance of Achieving Balance between Fitness and Nutrition

WASHINGTON, DC – A new study by Dr. Barry Popkin, published in this month’s issue of Obesity Research, the journal of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity, overlooks the importance of achieving a balance between fitness and nutrition to combat the problems of overweight and obesity.  The Corn Refiners Association, Inc. (CRA), which represents American companies that produce high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a widely-used corn-based sweetener, issued the following statement today in response to Dr. Popkin’s study:

“America’s obesity problem is a complex issue that can be traced to numerous factors, the most important of which are a major lack of physical activity concurrent with a large increase in daily consumption of calories. Experts agree that the best way to combat obesity is by achieving a balance between fitness and nutrition. 

"According to the American Dietetic Association, ‘Excess body fat (obesity) arises from the energy imbalance caused by taking in too much energy and using too little ... Obesity is a complex problem and its cause cannot be simply attributed to any one component of the food supply.[1]’

“While choosing to engage in the ‘good food/bad food debate,’ Dr. Popkin overlooks some very important statistics that have accompanied the rise in overweight and obesity in this country:

·         Between 1977 and 1995, individual caloric intake increased by almost 200 calories per day, from 1,876 calories to 2,043 calories.  Theoretically, consuming an extra 100 calories a day for a year can lead to a gain of 10 pounds.

·         At the same time Americans are consuming more calories, they have become physically inactive. According to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, nearly half (4 in 10) of all American adults engage in no daily physical activity.  Only about one-half of U.S. young people (ages 12-21 years) regularly participate in vigorous physical activity, and one-fourth reported no vigorous physical activity at all.  On the flip side, one-quarter of U.S. children spend 4 hours or more watching television daily.

“Food, by definition, is a substance ingested in order to produce energy, stimulate growth, and maintain life. Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are essential body nutrients.  It is only the improper quantity and combinations of these nutrients that can have a negative effect.

 

“In other words, too much of any food or nutrient can have negative effects on the human body.  The best way for Americans to combat obesity is to substantially increase physical activity while enjoying balanced diets and moderate consumption of all foods and beverages.”

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