We have heard it said a million times by everyone from our mothers to health professionals, but this time the advise conveyed by the phrase "Calories Count" has the stamp of approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Responding to increasing concern regarding obesity in America, in August 2003, FDA created the Obesity Working Group (OWG), which, on March 12, 2004, released a science-based report containing an action plan to address obesity."Counting calories is critical for people trying to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said. "This new report highlights FDA’s overall strategy for getting consumers accurate, helpful information that allows them to make wise food choices at home, at supermarkets, and in restaurants. Taking small steps to eat a more balanced diet and to stay physically active can go a long way to reversing the epidemic of obesity that harms far too many Americans."
Given the scientific fact that weight control is a matter of balancing calories consumed with calories used, recommendations in the OWG report focus on "calories count" for FDA’s plan of action. "We’re going back to basics, designing a comprehensive effort to attack obesity through an aggressive, science-based, consumer-friendly program with the simple message that ‘calories count,’" said FDA Acting Commissioner Lester M. Crawford, DVM, PhD. Some of the report’s recommendations include strengthening food labeling, educating consumers about healthful eating and weight management, and working cooperatively with other government agencies, non-profit organizations, industry, and academic institutions on obesity research.
For additional information on FDA’s Obesity Working Group’s report, "Calories Count," go to .
