Stewart J D'Alessio

Cutting the Fat Stewart J D'Alessio

This study examines whether legislation implemented by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DHMH) in December of 2006, which effectively banned artificial trans fat from the food served in restaurants and other eateries located throughout New York City (NYC), reduced obesity among New Yorkers residing in the five boroughs. Obesity was determined by an individual's body mass index (BMI), which was derived by using self-reported measures of height and weight. Both a dichotomized (1 = obese and 0 = normal weight and overweight) and an interval obesity measure were analyzed. A statistical examination of surveys conducted before (2005) and after the implementation of the artificial trans fat ban (2008-2010) showed that the artificial trans fat ban had little effect on attenuating obesity in any of the five NYC boroughs. The gender and race/ethnicity of the survey respondent also failed to condition the relationship between the artificial trans fat ban and obesity. Based on the consistency of our null findings, the legality of artificial trans fat bans will most likely continue to be challenged until there is convincing empirical evidence that these types of bans are effective in improving public health.