Obesity in North Carolina

Friday was Carrie and Mark's last day with Public Policy Polling. They did great work for us this summer, and I hope you enjoyed their contributions as well.

Click here to see Carrie's final survey, released today. Below are some quotes from the press release.

According to the latest Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey of North Carolina voters, obesity ranks among their top three public health concerns with Cancer named the most pressing public health issue, followed by obesity and heart disease.

Fifty-four percent of respondents are very concerned about the high rate (24.2% among adults) of obesity in North Carolina, another 34% percent reported being somewhat concerned, while only 12% answered being not very or not at all concerned.

Results were split as to whether or not the North Carolina state government should take action to fight obesity, with 45% supporting involvement and 46% opposed.

However, a large majority, 77%, supported requiring all fast-food and chain restaurants to display nutritional information on menus and menu boards.

And 87% strongly or somewhat approves banning the sale of all junk foods, defined for respondents as high-fat, high-sugar snacks and sugared beverages, from all public school campuses.

“Although North Carolinians are initially reluctant to the idea of state government intervention in the fight against obesity, some specific policy proposals were very popular,” said Carrie McMillan of Public Policy Polling.