Response to 3/9/2003 Associated Press article, published in the Washington Post

Dear Editor,

I take strong issue with a recent Associated Press article published in the Washington Post on March 9 ("Study Links Fast Food, TV to Obesity in Whites"). Attributing obesity among some Americans to specific food items is swallowing a simplistic notion and ignores the importance of other factors, including physical activity—something the article failed to mention even once.

Overweight conditions are due to an imbalance between energy in and energy out, and the key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a balanced diet and regular physical activity. The restaurant industry has a longstanding commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles, and health experts everywhere agree that all foods can be part of a healthy diet.

Seventy-six percent of all meals are eaten at home. When Americans do dine out, the nation's 870,000 restaurants provide an atmosphere in which individuals have the opportunity, flexibility and freedom to choose among a variety of high-quality, safe, healthy and enjoyable menu items.

The restaurant industry is an industry of choice, and for this reason, restaurants have always offered consumers a wide variety of venues, menu items and portion sizes to satisfy the diverse needs of a diverse population. The key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is physical activity and balancing a variety of food choices. And those food choices are on the menus in our nation's restaurants.

Sincerely,

Steven C. Anderson
President and Chief Executive Officer
National Restaurant Association
Washington, DC