Milling & Baking News - November 30, 2004 - 17

H E A L T H

A N D

W E L L N E S S

C.D.C. says mortality rate linked to
obesity overstated in earlier study
WASHINGTON - Government findings suggesting that obesity was on the
verge of overtaking smoking as the No. 1
cause of death in the United States were
overstated, health officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
said last week.
The C.D.C., in a study published in
March, reported that 400,000 deaths in
2000 were caused by poor diet and physical inactivity, versus 435,000 for tobacco.
But shortly after the study was published,
scientists inside and outside the C.D.C.
disputed the findings, claiming the data
contained mathematical errors and overstated the problem.
Among the complaints with the findings, scientists said the study looked
only at the death risk in younger people
and extrapolated it to the entire population, generating an inflated number.
Following an internal review confirming some of the scientists' claims,
the C.D.C. said last week it will submit
a new, lower figure to the Journal of the
American Medical Association, which
first published the original findings.

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18 / Milling & Baking News, November 30, 2004

The C.D.C. did not provide any details
on how much the figure will change, noting
only that it will seek outside advice on how
to do the calculations, including meeting
with the Institute of Medicine in December.
The C.D.C. study in March said that
poor diet and physical activity were
responsible for 400,000 deaths in 2000, a
33% jump from 1990. While the agency
has not yet issued a revised figure, The
Wall Street Journal said the death total
was overstated by 80,000. If that is
correct, the increase in obesity-related
deaths would be less than 10%.
"We regret that we published a number
that in retrospect was incorrect," Dixie

Snider, chief scientist at the C.D.C., told
The New York Times. "And we regret the
confusion. But the underlying message
does not change. The paper makes clear
and the erratum makes clear that tobacco
and obesity are the two biggest killers."
The rising obesity rate in the United
States has been heavily scrutinized in
recent months, prompting the launch of
several initiatives within the grain-based
foods industry geared toward health
and wellness. At the same time, the
government has taken steps to address
the problem.
After the initial report was issued in
March, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced
a new national education campaign and
a new research strategy at the H.H.S.
National Institutes of Health. MBN

New study suggests consumers
would like to eat healthier foods
WASHINGTON - Consumers are deIn what would appear to be a good sign
manding healthier foods, according to a for grain-based foods companies developnew study released by the Food Market- ing new products with a health slant, the
ing Institute and Prevention magazine. The study showed that consumers are increasrelease of the new report, "Shopping for ingly influenced by the Nutrition Facts
Health 2004," comes as the U.S. Depart- panel on food packages. According to the
ment of Agriculture prepares to unveil its study, 83% of consumers regularly look at
new Dietary Guidelines for Americans in the Nutrition Facts chart when buying a
early 2005, which is expected to shake up product for the first time, while 91% will
food intake recommendations in an effort make a purchasing decision based on this
to improve the nation's health.
information. Approximately one-fourth
According to the study,
consumers are paying
Consumers seek specific
more attention to nutrition labels, purchasing
product claims
more organic foods for
* 63% seek foods promoted as "low-fat"
health benefits and taking
* 62% seek foods promoted as "whole grain"
a greater interest in health
* 52% seek foods promoted as "low-calorie"
and nutrition news.
* 48% seek foods promoted as "low-salt sodium"
The study examined
the shopping habits of 500
Source: Shopping for Health 2004
consumers nationwide.
Thirty-four per cent of
consumers surveyed said they believe have decided not to purchase a product in
they are maintaining a healthy diet, while recent months based on its product label55% said they are trying "a lot" to eat more ing information.
healthfully.
The study also found that consumers
In addition, 56% said that eating are interested in other specific product
healthfully is a better way to manage claims, with 63% seeking food promoted
illness than taking medications and 59% as "low-fat" and 62% looking for food
claimed to be eating healthfully so they promoted as "whole grain."
can avoid health problems later in life.
Approximately 60% of consumers
The study showed that consumers said there is too much conflicting inforare looking for healthier solutions from mation in coverage of nutrition issues,
manufacturers and retailers. Among the and 30% said the confusion in part leads
findings, the study found that 46% want to an unhealthy diet.
their food to offer a greater quantity of
Another factor hindering healthful
nutritious prepared foods, 45% are seek- eating is cost, surveyed participants
ing more foods without trans-fatty acids, said. Thirty-four per cent of consumers
40% want more low-fat foods, and 39% said the high cost of healthful foods is a
want more low-carbohydrate choices.
major reason their diet is not better. MBN
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Milling & Baking News - November 30, 2004

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