Health Regulations to Fight Obesity

Lose Weight—It's the Law

As the dangerous and costly health effects of obesity soar, more government bodies are taking it upon themselves to keep your weight in check
By Greg Presto fitbie
 

Health Regulations Through the Years

Lose Weight—It's the Law // fat man sitting on a park bench © Thinkstock

Image: Thinkstock

News flash: We're fat. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people worldwide (that's 1 in 6) are overweight. In the U.S., we're worse than that average: The Center for Disease Control reports that in 2009, only Colorado and the District of Columbia posted obesity rates less than 20 percent.

The CDC says that American society has become "'obesogenic,' characterized by environments that promote increased food intake, nonhealthful foods, and physical inactivity." And while they could take a laissez-fat attitude toward the problem, state governments and Congress aren't taking the issue sitting down—even if we are.

Here, a quick-hit history of landmark anti-obesity legislation across the country.

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