America Awakens to the Obesity Crisis
Obesity now outranks cigarette smoking as a top societal health problem. A new Gallup poll released yesterday finds that 81% of Americans believe obesity is an “extremely” or “very serious” problem, up significantly from the 69% who said the same in 2005. The increase is likely due to Americans’ growing awareness of obesity as a serious health issue, through public awareness drivers including First lady Michelle Obama's high-profile nationwide anti-childhood obesity campaign, launched in 2010.