Knowledge is power. To make informed decisions we must know what we’re eating.

While we haven’t been particularly effective at curbing the epidemic of obesity in Maine – or nationally – to date, a series of new bills introduced by Rep. Sean Faircloth is a bold and comprehensive attempt to rein in Maine’s obesity rates.

Rep. Faircloth proposes using a variety-pack of solutions, precisely what is needed in the face of a disease with a range of causes.

The bill under current discussion, L.D. 391, has a simple concept: to provide consumer education at the place where it will do the most good. It requires chain restaurants to label their menus and display boards with calorie information to allow patrons the option of making healthier point-of-purchase food decisions.

Restaurant owners claim that this will add an undue burden to their overhead costs. While it may add nominally to their budgets, it is not significant compared to the cost of taking no action.

The disastrous impact on our health care system from the ripple effect of obesity includes diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers, estimated to cost Maine citizens $2 billion “at least,” according to Dr. Stephen Sears, medical director of MaineGeneral Medical Center.

For a restaurateur, making additional minor alterations to menus which change frequently is not an undue burden, and could in fact have a positive effect on their bottom line. Why not use the nutrient information as a marketing and promotion tool, as some restaurant chains have successfully done, and capitalize on consumers’ heightened awareness of health? More revenue, not less.

As Pam Hageny, director of the Central Maine Heart & Vascular Institute, suggests: “there are two prices to every food item that we consumethe price to your pocketbook and the price to your health.” We all pay for both.

It has been said that “obesity is a normal response to the American environment.” Indeed, we have arrived at this juncture by traveling along a road whose landscape has transformed as we passed by more opportunities for “screen time,” increasing use of automobiles, fewer walkable or bike-rideable neighborhoods, ubiquitous fast-food eateries advertising abundant high fat options, ever-expanding portions, media images that defy reality, soda and candy vending in schools. We are surrounded by cheap foods of marginal nutrition quality. It’s no wonder we’re gaining all the time.

Having nutrition information hidden in hard-to-read posters or pamphlets, as several chains now offer, does not encourage healthier eating.

Face it, as consumers we want convenience, not just in our food, our work and our lifestyles, but in our decision-making, too. For all of us, knowledge is power. It’s common sense to make that health information as easy to get as possible.

L.D. 391 is one of the important components of the 5-part anti-obesity package that should to be adopted. If passed, this bill would allow those of us who choose to eat out for convenience or enjoyment to make better choices for our own health.

Elizabeth Patten of Freeport is a dietitian and author who works in the field of health education.


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