Why is there a need for Barnstable County BestBites Campaign?
Obesity is now recognized as one of the greatest health challenges facing the United States, with 66% of adults overweight or obese. Many health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, are directly associated with excess weight gain. The rapid increase in obesity over the past 20 years is due to multiple changes in our society, which affect both our eating and physical activity patterns. Making healthy food choices available in restaurants is an important part of reversing these trends. Americans eat about 20% of their meals and spend about 46% of their food dollars away from home. The restaurant industry is recognizing that consumers would like to be able to make informed, healthy choices while eating out – larger chains have begun offering nutritional information and labeling healthier options. Barnstable County BestBites gives neighborhood restaurants the opportunity to join a campaign that promotes these healthier options, benefiting the restaurants while also prom
