Congress nearly looks other way on obesity

WASHINGTON, July 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Congress, dealing with the weighty issue of healthcare reform, has all-but ignored obesity, the biggest issue health professionals say America faces.

Drafts of House and Senate bills include only a few programs to fight obesity, a study by Politico indicates. When scoring the bills' financial impact, the Congressional Budget Office does not consider obesity programs a cost-saver, which one healthcare professional says can affect the opinion of Congress members.

"The inability we have to address this issue head-on is because we're uncomfortable with the reason people are overweight," said Christine Ferguson, a health policy professor at George Washington University's School of Public Health and Health Services. "We haven't come to grips with whether it is their own fault or a combination of factors."

But then Congress -- with its crazy hours, marathon negotiations and frenetic meeting schedule -- isn't exactly known for its collective healthy lifestyle although some members of the House and Senate power walk, run marathons and engage in similarly healthy pursuits, the Washington publication said.

"There also has to be an element of personal responsibility in healthcare reform," said Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., a runner who has adopted obesity as a personal issue. "Don't just expect Washington to come up with all the answers to improve the healthcare system."