In a new paper published on Monday, the American College of Physicians (ACP) called on policymakers to advance obesity treatment access and affordability, including expanding insurance coverage and improving access to nutritious foods.
Currently, 40% of adults in the U.S. battle obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Addressing this condition requires a “comprehensive, multisector response,” according to ACP.
“Physicians are on the front lines of treating patients with obesity, a serious, high-risk condition that has significant prevalence in the U.S. With rates of obesity steadily rising, it is crucial for policymakers to help health care professionals by enacting system-wide changes that contribute to obesity, including behavioral, metabolic and environmental factors. ACP has issued recommendations that would amend current policies and procedures and introduce concrete change to the current public health landscape and clinical practice,” said Dr. Jan K. Carney, president of ACP, in a statement.
ACP’s multi-sector policy recommendations include:
Healthcare policies
The organization calls on all payers to provide comprehensive coverage of obesity interventions, including prevention and screening, intensive lifestyle treatment, pharmacologic treatments and weight loss surgery.
ACP also recommends efforts to expand access to nutritious foods through strategies like prescription food programs and provide adequate reimbursement to care models for preventing, diagnosing and managing obesity.
In addition, the organization calls for better training in nutrition and obesity treatment for medical students and physicians to help reduce bias and stigma associated with the condition.
Agriculture and nutrition policies
ACP recommends that policymakers provide better funding for federal food and nutrition assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to improve access to affordable nutritious food.
It also recommends creating a “formal, evidence-based definition” of ultraprocessed foods and setting restrictions on these foods. For example, the organization calls for raising excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages. ACP recommends providing better education to the public about healthy eating as well, such as through food labels.
Environment, planning and transportation policies
ACP recommends community planning policies that encourage more active transportation modalities, like pedestrian and bike-friendly infrastructure.
“Planning should consider all communities, including low-income and historically marginalized areas that have limited access to green space,” ACP said.
Research policies
The organization calls for more obesity research, as well as adequate funding and staffing for federal research agencies. This will improve understanding of root causes of obesity, the effects of ultraprocessed foods and how to provide equitable care for adults with obesity.
“Obesity is a complex condition that demands a comprehensive, multisector response. Policymakers should implement effective obesity prevention strategies, improve access to a complete package of evidence-based treatment interventions, and make healthy food more available and accessible to all,” the report said. “ACP also emphasizes that obesity is caused by modifiable and nonmodifiable factors and that weight stigma and bias must be addressed.”
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