AMA Adopts Policies to Promote Healthier Food Options to Fight Obesity in America

The AMA adopted new policy to help reduce trans fats in the American diet as a way to maintain good health and lower the risk for coronary artery disease.

29/06/07 The American Medical Association (AMA) adopted policies at its Annual meeting to address factors that may be adding to the increase in obesity among Americans.

"Making wise food choices and increasing physical activity can benefit everyone," said Joseph P. Annis, M.D., AMA board member. "We hope these new policies will lead to necessary changes within the food industry to make food and beverages healthier for consumers."

REDUCING TRANS FAT: The AMA adopted new policy to help reduce trans fats in the American diet as a way to maintain good health and lower the risk for coronary artery disease. They will also work to ensure that when trans fats are removed from foods, they are replaced with healthier fats and oils.

"Replacing trans fats with healthier fats and oils, such as extra virgin olive oil, can prevent approximately 30,000 to 100,000 premature deaths a year," said Dr. Annis.

NUTRITIONAL LABELING AT FAST-FOOD AND CHAIN RESTAURANTS: Today, the AMA voted to recommend that fast-food and chain restaurants provide consumers with nutritional information on menus and menu boards. The nutritional information should be easy to understand and include calorie, fat, saturated fat, trans fat and sodium content of menu items.

"By calling on fast food and chain restaurants to provide information on the nutritional quality of food products and menu offerings and encouraging healthier food choices, we hope to improve the diets and health of Americans," said Dr. Annis.

COMBATING OBESITY AND HEALTH DISPARITIES: New policy passed supports efforts to base federal and state food assistance programs on the health needs of their recipients by providing increased access to fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other healthy foods. The AMA will also work to ensure that food assistance programs encourage the consumption of products low in fat and cholesterol.

"Tailoring items in food assistance programs to better meet the health care needs of Americans can help decrease the risk of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, and help Americans lead healthier lives," said Dr. Annis.