Wall Street
Journal Survey: Lack of Exercise is Leading Cause of Obesity (4-20-04)
A recent survey by the Wall Street Journal reveals that most Americans
believe a lack of exercise is the main cause of obesity, rather than
certain food ingredients or too many calories.
Of the 2,275 adults surveyed
online, 83 percent said a lack of exercise was the dominant reason
for the rapid rise in obesity in the United
States. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
recently reported that nearly half of adults in the United States
engage in no daily physical activity.
Despite numerous popular media reports condemning high fructose
corn syrup (HFCS) as a cause of obesity, only one in 10 survey respondents
thought drinking too much soda is responsible for the obesity epidemic.
Most soft drinks use HFCS as a sweetener. In response to a misleading
article on HFCS and obesity in the April edition of the AARP Bulletin,
NCGA CEO Rick Tolman said there is no scientific evidence proving
HFCS is driving the U.S. obesity problem.
“It’s ridiculous to believe HFCS is somehow responsible
for the growing obesity problem in the United States,” Tolman
said. “The media continues to spread misinformation about HFCS
and obesity. In fact, studies have clearly shown the rise in obesity
is due to increasingly poor dietary habits and lack of physical exercise.”
Approximately one-third of respondents thought increased caloric
intake is responsible for the obesity problem. Survey respondents
also blamed fast food, large servings and excessive snacking as causes
of obesity. More than half of the survey respondents believe lack
of exercise is also the leading cause of obesity in children. The
survey results were released April 5.