Facing America's Obesity Crisis
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-05-10/facing-americas-obesity-crisis
More than one-third of adults in the U.S. and nearly 17 percent of the nation’s children are obese. Obesity’s human toll includes diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers. Relative medical costs of the obese are estimated to be up to 100 percent higher than for Americans of healthy weight. A new report by the Institute of Medicine warns these social and economic costs will increase in the coming years unless we do more to prevent people from becoming overweight -- especially young people. And researchers say a real solution will require leadership from educators to employers to the president. Diane and her guests discuss America’s obesity epidemic.
Guests
Barbara Linder
Senior Advisor for Childhood Diabetes Research at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Christina Economos
Director of Child Obesity 180 at the Friedman School of Nutrition at Tufts University. Committee member for Institute of Medicine report, "Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention: Solving the Weight of the Nation"
Ross Hammond
Director, Center on Social Dynamics and Policy and
Senior Fellow, Economic Studies, The Brookings Institution
J. Justin Wilson
senior research analyst, Center for Consumer Freedom.
Sylvisha Perry
Subject in Berrie Diabetes Center, Columbia University, site of NIH TODAY Study (Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth).
Comments
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Here's how to cure the obesity and diabetes crisis. Have Michelle Obama come out in favor of overfeeding kids and in favor of sedentary lifestyles for kids. This will trigger an instant initiative among congressional Republicans and Tea Party activists in opposition and in the right direction.
Brenindy,
Unfortunately, public schools purchase to the lowest common denominator. I checked! They find food vendors who meet the minimum "health" requirements, then hire the least expensive one. Their arguments were also that at least some kids are getting food (which is true). But if a kid is REALLY hungry, they will eat! Unfortunately, if a food isn't provided at home and adults just think that kids will ONLY eat chicken nuggets (of if the parents eat them as well) the kid doesn't have a chance.
I'm middle class and started my kids off with pretty much the same foods that we ate at home, not introducing them to anything sweet tasting until later (had no choice once they saw cupcakes at daycare. ;-) ) I'm not militant, believe me. We eat cake on occasion, ice cream pretty much weekly, etc.
But proof to my argument is that when my son was two, after dinner he had a choice between broccoli or ice cream.
He chose the broccoli! (Even I thought he was nuts. ha!)
Do not buy anything with HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP. The government should stop subsidizing corn and other grains which causes the cost of corn to go so high that people in the world can not afford grain and starve from high food costs.
In addition, the industry and their lobbyist have a responsibility to stop lying so that corporations can get away with anything including things that are dangerous to consumers. Where is the outcry that the lobbyists and the corporations have responsibility to use facts not lies that promote selling dangerous products.
I'm 56, and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 2 years ago. Since that time I have increased my activity from virtually nothing to an hour a day on an eliptical and stationary bike, and I swim when possible (I live in Cleveland so finding an indoor pool that's affordable has not been easy). I've reduced the amount of food I take in and increased my water intake markedly, but still I cannot take off the weight. It has become a frustration, but I still keep doing it, because honestly I do feel better because of it.
But the weight will not come off and I need to lose about 50-60 lbs. My doctor added insulin in a small dose which has been great for bringing the blood sugar under control, but I feel like the introduction of insulin has severely sabotoshed my efforts to lose weight. I feel like I'm swimming against the tide, but to no avail. The show is now over, and I was only able to hear the last few minutes, but is there anything I missed that might be helpful to my and obviously the young girl's (who called in) situation? When she said she would lose a pound or two but then gain 3 later describes my plight to a tee. HELP!
it is not the job of government to enforce anything regarding your own personal choices with food. in food and diet, common sense and discipline go a long way.
there is no great mystery associated with weight loss and being over weight. you must burn more calories than you take in. there must be a calorie defecit.
please governemnt, stay out of our lives! it is our parents' job to teach us right. if we do not learn from them, then we just have to figure it out on our own. google it.
I struggled most of my childhood and adult life as a morbidly obese woman. Four years ago, I had gastric bypass surgery and have since maintained a loss of 150 lbs. Obesity is an extremely complex disease and while yes, there is a level of personal responsibility, often times data, statistics, and research overshadow that many obese people suffer from complex emotional issues with food (myself included).
I have been listening to this show this morning, and I am disappointed that there was no mention of the need for sensitivity training within the medical and obesity research community - particularly with children.
We've seen numerous failed attempts to shame the obese - examples:
Georgia Billboards Campaign
Disney's Habit Heroes
Citizens Medical Center No-Obese Hiring Policy
Everyone wants to talk about the obese as a financial burden, and while the costs of medical care for the obese has increased, the amount of sensitivity training in the medical community has not. Singling out the overweight and obese - particularly children - does not work. SHAME does not work. It's been proven that many patients avoid going to the doctor's office and do not get the proper medical care BECAUSE they're ashamed, and their medical professionals only perpetuate that.
Sensitivity training and anti-bias and discriminatory policies are key for helping to solve the obesity crisis.
www.divataunia.com
www.divatauniablog.com
www.wlfsa.org
www.obesityaction.org
RE: High Fructose Corn Syrup comment about not buying stuff with it in it. agreed.
or try to limit it as it seems to be in almost EVERYTHING.
Seriously. Just check. You'll be sadly surprised.
I have to disagree with the statement that fresh foods are more costly than unhealthy food. Since becoming a vegetarian my food costs have been cut in half. Dried grains are cheap, dried legumes are cheap, eggs are cheap, fresh vegetables are cheap and the consumer can dictate the quantity they purchase because they're sold by weight. A salad topped with a homemade vinaigrette, homemade croutons, and beans costs less than a cheap burger deal at McDonalds.
I found your piece on Obesity interesting. I struggled with this issue all my life. I tried every diet on the planet, tried to eat more healthy, and for me, nothing worked. Nobody, repeat nobody wants this lifestyle. One feels terrible about themselves, and society feels entitled to slam us at every opportunity. The statement that all one needs is willpower is completely ignorant. Moreover, society is basically ignorant on this issue. There are many causes, and the solution isn't simple.
I had Gastric Bypass surgery 22 months ago. Now, I have 100 lbs. less to cart around. I am off most my medications, and I feel great. I can do things I couldn't do before, and am optimistic about life for the first tiime in a very long time.
Thank y ou.
Congratulations on your weight loss, Rich. I had gastric bypass four years ago and it changed my life also. I'm active on a daily basis, and also very involved as an activist for obesity and weight-related issues.
I personally believe weight loss surgery should be a last option (and not for children), but also a very effective solution for obese patients suffering with diabetes. The research on the results is staggering and amazing.
Congrats and best wishes for continued success!
i disagree with the statement that insurance does not cover bariatric surgery. In my state BC/BS and others are approving surgeries before one's life is on the line. And yes, the good bariatric programs have extensive counseling - both mental and nutritional - and lots of follow-up. My surgery (stomach banding) was successful, and I was able to be very compliant while employed.
However, when one loses a job or is decreased to half time with no health benefits, one can no longer afford laproscopic banding adjustments, membership at a Y or for yoga, pilates, etc. It has been over 3 yrs since I have seen my sleep neurologist. One's shopping cart, as others have said, turns to peanut butter, popcorn, frozen lasagna, mac and cheese. Lunch turns into 2 for $1 cheese/peanut butter crackers and a soda. Depression - even when monitored closely - is devastating. Health care is the first thing that one cuts out of the budget.
As others said, we need universal health care.
Either the panelists themselves were disappointingly narrow, or the choice of panelists was. Diet is only one factor in obesity. Where was the discussion of people being trapped into dependence on the automobile and big-box store culture? How many housing developments allow people to walk to a corner store, to a school, park, post office or transit stop? How many even have sidewalks? How many intersections are pedestrian-friendly when it comes to crossing the road?
Wow, more of the same old weak answers for age old problems, that never solve or help the problem. Here's an ideal, instead of taxing unhealthy foods and sugars why not offer an incentive to companys and farmers to make and grow more healthy foods such as a tax CUT!!!! Always with the taking and never giving seems to always be the answer. Why is that? because its really about money and power and controling people's lives. Here we go....whats next banning earphones because they are bad for our childrens ears? Oh wait a higher tax on inner ear buds (lol) this kind of insulting social idealology makes me sick at my stomach! So what if people are fat. let them die!!! I'm tired of people screwing with my rights because,they dont know the meaning of everything in moderation, and the nazi control that waits in the wings to put new limitations on my life,can stuff it. I will eat what I please.
It could seem to be one of the Social Security solutions. Lowering life- expectancy.
Those with SSD cannot buy Medicare Supplemental Insurance, nor, as a class, will they have eligibility under the new Health Care Act. Health becomes a personal responsibility when one accepts that an expensive diagnosis is fatal. I enjoyed the guest on FA yesterday about peripatetic activity.
Poor diet has high costs down the line. Oatmeal, vegetables, fruit & olive oil, grazing on nuts, throughout the day, meets all the basics and does amazing things to one's blood chemistry. It's worked for me.
It became a matter of home economics budgeting.
I agree with Mountainwoman completely. One of the biggest health hazzards is wheat or glutin. Geneticly altered is pervasive in our food. Not only is it adictive, it causes heart disease, diabetes,depression, obesity and many more. I wish people would stop blamming the victims of these companies, drug and food, for the problems. If that would do the trick, some of the diets and exercise would work. It does not. I know these people mean well, but they just simply do not know. Do the research(a problem sometimes because we're so busy surviving in this enviornment).
To any one who cares about their health, I would strongly suggest the New York Times best seller, WHEAT BELLY by WILLIAM DAVIS,MD.
My daughter read it and it changed her life. She was well on her way to an early death. Now she is a different person.
I have an acquaintance that is a retired industrial hygienic was working in Florida when we lost access to Cuban sugar! the sugar shortage sect every one looking for a substitute, that is when we started to use confectioners sugar (corn syrup) ! the Ag industries corn lobby got started. Their was a large onset of type two diabetes the CDC started a study of the effects of high fructose corn syrup "witch is starch" this study was canceled and on one was aloud to talk about this any longer?
Please, please, if you or someone you know has type 2 Diabetes, stop eating processed sugar! It makes me so sad that the public at large is not educated about the effects of processed sugar on the body. I believe that it is not widely known because the sugar and health industry do their best to make consumers feel that the food you eat doesn't effect your health. You are what you eat! Such a fundemental quote seems to have been lost. Knowledge is power; do as much research you can on reversing diabetes by changing your diet.
The government could reduce the amount of corn syrup used in processed food, by eliminating corn subsidies.
The gentleman refers to "personal responsibility" as the key to reducing obesity. I agree, but, first one must have the ability to make that choice. The choices need to be available in cost, proximity, and availability.
Hi Diane,
I am so frustrated while listening to your program on obesity; I had to turn it off.....in 20 minutes there was not one mention of sugar or high fructose corn syrup or MSG or other excitotoxins such as autolyzed yeast extract, or hydrolized soy protein, that are added to our foods to actually make us addicted to them - big food is adding substances to keep us eating the bad food - one of your speakers mentioned "personal responsibility" and the fact that the government does not need to involve itself here - but I strongly believe there should be laws against the inclusion of these addictive substances into our food supply. I am in 12 step food program and my food plan involves eating 6 oz of vegetables and 4 oz of protein for lunch and dinner - it is really difficult to find plain steamed or sauteed vegetables in any fast food or deli establishments....please...please....be aware that this is the real problem in our obesity epidemic....
I agree one hundred percent with you. Training your kids to like healthy food starts in the home from day one. I used the same method to keep sweets from my firstborn till later. He is eight now, last night he wanted a snack before bed - I offered him a variety of options including cinnamin toast. He chose a romaine lettuce salad with tomatoe and cucumber. I wish I had his appetite.
Ratings for prepared foods, perhaps "obeseagenic level", which would be posted at point of sale or prominantly on packaging, would preserve freedom of choice while providing the tools to make healthy choices.
I find it truly appalling that personal responsibility is no longer a virtue among Americans. You spend your money on what you value, and you spend your time on the things that you value. Large majorities of people do not value good health and therefore do not spend money on healthy foods or spend time exercising. Numerous community gardens are springing up all over the county (of which I am apart of), so if you can not afford it- you can at least grow it. It is all a matter of values and choices and taking responsibility for the outcome of YOUR decisions- it is not the responsibility of the government.
Dietary fat doesn't make you fat.
The guests are pushing the exact same dietary advice that we've been hearing for 30 years. Cut saturated fat, eat more whole grain. And we did and we got obese.
How frustrating.
Diane had Gary Taubes on many years ago and had a great discussion about the problems with removing saturated fat from the diet. Please get Taubes back on the show.
It's all about the carbohydrates.
I am all for personal responsibility - if consenting adults want to kill themselves with food or drugs who am I to stop them ? - but kids?
If you have ever stood in line at the grocery store and seen mothers using food stamps to buy half a dozen litre bottles of sugared soda, you do wonder if this amounts to child abuse..?
Once I saw a mother quite distressed because she could not afford the expensive bottles of Vitamin Water her overweight daughter wanted. Doubtless she has seen the ads saying how good it is for you but she didn't seem to realize she would be better off buying fruit with that money and letting her child drink water (and luckily we live in a country where you CAN drink what comes out of the faucet.) People are making really stupid choices. Should their children pay the price?
I do agree (and I'm a keen veggie grower) but we do have an agricultural system which is set up to produce large volumes of cheap meat and lakes of corn syrup. And don't even get me started on the price the factory farmed animals pay for our unhealthy diet. We need to completely overhaul the food production system. But yes, we do also need personal responsibility.
We need programs to promote and educate on COOKING AT HOME:
Required cooking classes in schools, teaching kids how to prepare simple, healthy meals for themselves and their families. This would empower them to take control of their lives and health in a fundamental way---building general confidence as well.
Public service ads that actually *contain recipes* or instructions for preparing simple, healthy, inexpensive meals.
Regular table sugar is about 50% fructose and 50% sucrose. High fructose corn syrup is about 60/40, so singling out high fructose corn syrup kind of misses the point. Added sugar in general from whatever source is a problem.
You are so right Williegene - wheat is a major culprit in our obesity epidemic, as well as the items I mentioned: sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and the addictive excitotoxins in everything: MSG, hydrolized soy protein, autolyzed yeast extract
I'm wondering why the issue of "chemical calories" is not usually addressed when looking at obesity. Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton, an expert in human metabolism from the University of Oxford has written a very informative book on the subject. These "chemical calories" can inhibit weight loss and actually make us fatter. These toxins are present in food, water, air, packaging, cosmetics, and household products.
Is the chemical industry suppressing this information?