Obesity stories tip 2003 food news scales
February 02,2004
By The Free Press
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NEW YORK CITY - What food-related story was top banana in 2003? According to the nation's newspaper and magazine food editors, the "big" news was America's ever increasing waistline.
Throughout 2003, study after study revealed that Americans (especially children and teenagers) consumed more calories than ever before, partly due to the "super sizing" of portions.
Consumer lawsuits against food companies (like McDonald's and Oreo) illustrated the collective frustration at the high calorie / low nutritional nature of today's food offerings.
Food companies, like Kraft Foods, responsed by announcing initiatives to help fight obesity, including a cap on the portion size of single-serve packages and the elimination of in-school marketing.
Meanwhile, non-food companies are adjusting their merchandise to accommodate a larger America. Traditional clothing retailers report more than 20 percent of sales for women are "plus sizes."
No. 1: The obesity story easily tipped the scales as the No. 1 food story of the year, with virtually every editor participating in the survey ranking it within the top three.
No. 2: To win the battle of the bulge, Americans embraced the Atkins Diet like never before. Editors voted the resurgence of the diet, which occurred as studies were vindicating its previous controversy, as the year's No. 2 food story.
No. 3: Trans-fatty acid, public enemy No. 1, was voted the third most important story of the year. July's FDA announcement that trans fats must be listed on the nutrition facts panel of conventional food products and some dietary supplements by 2006 is an effort to educate consumers of the relationship between trans fat and an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
No. 4: A political hot potato captured the No. 4 spot. When France wouldn't join the United States in going to war with Iraq, war hawks deemed the word "French" inappropriate for American menus. Suddenly, the public was eating "Freedom Fries" and "Freedom Toast."
No. 5: "The South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss," by cardiologist Arthur Agatston, weighed in at No. 5. Initially developed to improve the cholesterol and insulin levels of patients with heart disease, South Beach became a phenomenon promising the loss of eight to 14 pounds in the first two weeks.
No. 6: The American Heart Association's report that a diet rich in olive oil, fruits, vegetables and low in fat might prevent heart disease claimed this survey spot. Originally named after a group of people with very low rates of heart disease in the Mediterranean, the "Mediterranean Diet" has seen eras of popularity in the United States.
No. 7: A bill introduced to Congress requiring restaurants to prominently list nutrition information, including calories, on menus claimed seventh place. While many national chains post nutritional information on Web sites, bill supporters argue this is not enough.
No. 8: A redefinition of "homemade" bubbled up to No. 8. Decades ago, homemade meant grinding your own flour to make a cake. Years ago, homemade meant assembling four or five ready-to-use ingredients. Now, made from a mix claims homemade fame, if doctored with two or three added ingredients.
No. 9: An ironic twist in the travel world landed the ninth spot. In 2003, passengers began paying for the right to eat airline food. When airlines began cutting meals as part of a cost-cutting measure after 9/11, passengers grumbled. So airlines returned food to flights for a fee, with America West launching the first test in January.
No. 10: A true couch potato could rejoice with the launch of reality TV based on food. NBC captured No. 10 when it turned the table on romance-focused reality programming and launched "The Restaurant" reality show by opening and operating a restaurant in Manhattan. The show was a modest ratings success, and NBC is considering a return this year.
Predicted big food trends in 2004? Food safety/food handling; the source of America's food (including concerns related to genetically modified food and the spread of mad cow disease); a continued acceptance of a low-carb diet, with more low-carb options highlighted on menus; and the continuation of quick and easy meal solutions to fit hectic lifestyles.
Hunter Public Relations, a New York agency serving the food and beverage industry, conducted the study by surveying more than 1,300 food editors across the country.
"Obesity stories tip 2003 food news scales"
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