Massachusetts, New York Launch Anti-Obesity Campaigns

Albany, NY (AHN) - Two states simultaneously launched anti-obesity campaigns at the start of 2009.

On Wednesday New York Gov. David Paterson in his first State of the State address, announced proposals to ban trans fat in New York restaurants and require dining establishments to post calorie information on their menu.

On Thursday Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to launch a similar measure which would mandate restaurants in the state to show on their menu or counter calorie counts in a bid to battle obesity.

Both campaigns mainly target students.

Paterson said he wants junk food to be prohibited from being sold in New York public schools and plans to collect an 18 percent tax on sugar-laden sodas. Deval wants Massachusetts public schools to periodically monitor the height and weight of public school students when they are in their first, fourth, seventh and tenth grades.

Parents will be informed of the finding and given advice on nutrition and exercise to reduce the chances of the students acquiring chronic ailments caused by obesity such as diabetes and high cholesterol. The measures are slated for implementation in Massachusetts next fall.