Obesity: A Personal or Public Health Issue?

Year Awarded: 2003
Project Leaders:
Carol Weissert, MSU Institute for Public Policy and Social Research; Beth Olson, MSU Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

Project Description:
According to MSU’s 26th State of the State Survey (SOSS), released in March 2003, two-thirds of Michigan residents perceive obesity as a personal issue, even though government agencies, the health community, and education experts have identified it as a growing public health problem.

“That’s a disconnect,” says Beth Olson, MSU assistant professor in food science and human nutrition and a principal investigator of the report, “When we approach the public to address the problem, we need to educate them that this affects society at large, and that many of the things we need to do probably have to be done in the public health arena.”

Michigan has the eighth highest rate in the U.S. for adult obesity (22.4%) and is second among the states in being overweight (38.7%). Survey respondents were more supportive of proactive approaches to curb obesity, such as investing in recreational facilities and encouraging physical activity at work, than punitive measures such as taxing fast food or increasing insurance premiums.

The research was commissioned by FACT and conducted by the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR).

Recent Developments:

See feature article on childhood obesity from MSU Connect Magazine

See resources on obesity on FACT web site