This week, First Lady Michelle Obama will officially launch a new initiative
aimed at confronting the issue of childhood obesity. We continue to commend
Mrs. Obama for her positive approach to tackling what is a complex and daunting
social problem, commented Robb MacKie, president and chief executive officer of
the American Bakers Association (ABA). America’s bakers have long focused on
providing healthy, wholesome grain-based products to American consumers,
including children. We look forward to working closely with the first lady and
others in joint efforts to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic.
MacKie expressed support for the initiative’s multi-prong approach and singled
out public education for particular emphasis. ABA believes it is critical to
give priority to public education leading to an improved understanding of
sensible dietary approaches for children. This includes educating parents and
children alike about how to achieve a balanced, calorie-appropriate diet
consistent with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Dietary Guidelines,
he stated.
Furthermore, according to MacKie, it is critical that the initiative be
science-based, and that program benchmarks be realistic and attainable.
American families need consistent, practical advice on how they can make simple
changes in their daily routines that will lead to a healthier lifestyle. This is
particularly true for children. Helping them incorporate healthy habits into
their lives at a young age will help ensure they grow into healthy adults.
The White House Obesity Initiative also highlights the need to help children
gain access to healthier foods, both at home and at school, including more
fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Grain foods occupy an important position
at the base of USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid, pointed out MacKie, with the Dietary
Guidelines recommending that children, as well as adults, make one-half of their
daily grain servings whole grains. Bakers are already producing a number of
good-tasting, nutritious whole grain products targeted to children including
whole grain breads, crackers and rolls, and we will continue to innovate, he
said.
Enriched grains also play an important part in helping children lead more active
and healthy lives, added ABA Senior Vice President of Government Relations and
Public Affairs Lee Sanders. She explained that enriched grains, which provide
our bodies with essential B vitamins (niacin, thiamine and riboflavin),
collectively help maintain a healthy nervous system and increase energy
production both of which are important factors for optimal child nutrition.
1300 I Street, NW, Ste. 700 W Washington, DC 20005 Ph 202-789-0300 Fax
202-898-1164 www.americanbakers.org
Ms. Sanders further related that, along with educating policy makers and
consumers on the numerous health benefits of grains, ABA, in its commitment to a
healthier America, initiated the first-ever Whole Grain Purchase Program that
was included in the 2008 Farm Bill. As a result of ABA’s efforts, in conjunction
with other members of the wheat chain, Congress authorized USDA’s Food and
Nutrition Service, through a one-year Grain Purchase Program (GPP), to encourage
greater awareness and interest in the number and variety of whole grain products
available to schoolchildren. USDA used the GPP funds to purchase and make
available to schools whole wheat pancakes for breakfast and whole wheat
tortillas for lunch during the second half of the 2009 school year (February
September). USDA offered the program in every state, with 41 states and Puerto
Rico participating.
First ladies throughout history have had a significant impact on American lives
through the causes they champion, observed MacKie. We applaud Mrs. Obama for
using the power of her position to bring new attention and renewed focus on
obesity and its impact on our nation’s children. We look forward to a strong
partnership between government agencies, the food industry and others to help
set our children solidly on the path to a healthier future.
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About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the
wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of
bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, state legislatures &
international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of over 200
companies both baking companies and their suppliers. ABA members produce
bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome,
nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates
more than $70 billion in economic activity annually and employs close to half a
million highly skilled people.
Source:
The American Bakers Association
