Home   The Press Room

Calorie Control Council Supports FDA's "Calories Count" Campaign to Fight Obesity

“Calories Count” Message Can Be Effective in Helping Reduce and Control Weight

ATLANTA (March 23, 2004) – The Calorie Control Council is pleased to learn that the “calories count” message will be a key strategy in the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) plan to help reduce overweight and obesity. For the past decade, the Council has been promoting the “calories count” message to consumers, health professionals, regulators and more, and has launched several initiatives to help relay this message through the years. Further, the Council has communicated how reduced-calorie products can help consumers enjoy their favorite foods with fewer calories.

According to a recent online poll by the Council, poor eating habits (29 percent), consuming too many calories (22 percent) and lack of exercise (19 percent) were listed as the top reasons for weight gain – all of which contribute to caloric imbalance. Although many consumers may be aware of the factors that contribute to weight gain, they may not realize how to implement a “plan of action” to control calories and become more physically active. “There is a need to show consumers how to make changes that can be effective and the FDA’s campaign can aid in doing just that,” said Dr. John Foreyt, director of the Nutrition Research Clinic and a leading obesity researcher with Baylor College of Medicine.

Although the Council has promoted the idea of making simple, healthy lifestyle changes to improve weight and overall health, consumers are still lulled by “fad diets” and quick fixes. Roughly 25 million dieters are using diets such as Atkins, the Zone and Sugar Busters to help control their weight, according to the Council’s consumer research. Foreyt added, “Consumers need to find a strategy that not only helps them lose weight but also helps them keep it off long-term. And, keeping tabs on the calories going in (what you are eating) and the calories going out (being physically active) is a key way to do that. Although it may sound trite, calories really do count.”

Lyn Nabors, executive vice president of the Council stated, “We are pleased to learn of the FDA’s plans to encourage consumers to control caloric intake. Calorie balance has long been a campaign of the Council’s and we look forward to the synergy that will be created by this additional focus by the FDA.” She added that small, subtle changes can make a difference over the long term. “For example, a sugar substitute in place of one tablespoon of sugar each day could result in a five pound weight loss over the course of the year.” Health authorities note that losing just 5 to 10 percent of a person’s body weight can have dramatic health benefits.

The Council has several initiatives underway to aid consumers in “battling the bulge.” CaloriesCount.com (www.caloriescount.com), an online healthy living and weight loss toolkit, was launched almost two years ago and has already helped thousands of consumers in achieving a healthier lifestyle. The non-commercial site features the tools and information consumers need to not only lose weight, but also keep it off. For a rate of $25 for a six-month membership and $45 for a one-year membership, members have access to calculators (e.g., a diet assessment calculator, get moving calculator, enhanced calorie calculator) calorie controlled meal plans, recipes, articles, a weekly newsletter, access to health experts and more. The site contains no advertisements and discourages the “fad diet” mentality, instead focusing on counting calories and making lifestyle changes. CaloriesCount.com is not about quick weight loss schemes, supplements, fad diets, etc., -- only the tried and true method of calories in / calories out, long-supported by major health organizations and now the FDA.

The Council also has a free, award winning Web site (which was launched in 1997) with additional information on cutting calories and leading a healthier lifestyle. The site (www.caloriecontrol.org) receives, on average, 9 million hits and roughly 350,000 visitors per month. The site boasts several calculators (including a healthy weight calculator, a Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator plus others) as well information on how to cut calories in a sensible manner. The site also contains the Council’s downloadable brochure, “Winning by Losing” – which emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and strategies to help consumers lose weight if needed.

The Council will continue to look for various avenues to promote the message that “calories count” and support the FDA in getting this message across to consumers. For more information, visit http://www.caloriecontrol.org.

# # #

The Calorie Control Council, established in 1966, is an international non-profit association representing the low-calorie and reduced-fat food and beverage industry. Today it represents 60 manufacturers and suppliers of low-calorie, low-fat and light foods and beverages, including the manufacturers and suppliers of more than a dozen different dietary sweeteners, fat replacers and other low-calorie ingredients.

Copyright © 2007 Calorie Control Council

Permission to reprint information in whole or in part contained on this site is granted, provided customary credit is given.