Obesity and Public Policy: Legislation Passed by States, 1999 to 2003

Obesity could overtake tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States by 2005, when it is projected that 500,000 Americans will die from diseases associated with obesity. According to recent survey research, most Americans acknowledge that obesity is a serious health concern, but are ambivalent about the role that government should play in fighting obesity. KHI looked at legislation passed in the last five years and found that 30 state legislatures adopted 79 separate policy initiatives that targeted either obesity or physical inactivity.

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