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Lynn: Obesity is the government's business
Published Monday, April 12, 2004
Lynn: Obesity is the government's business By Patricia Lynn MinutemanMedia.org Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson is urging Americans to improve our eating habits and exercise more. In other words, he wants each of us to focus on our own responsibility for the growing epidemic of obesity. Thompson's concern is warranted. According to a recent Centers for Disease Control study, obesity-related deaths will claim more than 500,000 lives annually in the United States by 2005. Globally, the forecast is also grim. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers are part of a major shift in the cause of deaths around the world. In the face of staggering statistics of the growing obesity-related death toll in the United States and globally, Thompson's recommended approach to addressing the problem would be laughable in its inadequacy if the stakes were not so high. Instead, the approach is shameful. Of course we should all eat more healthy foods and get more exercise. But for the U.S. government to frame this massive health problem as solely related to personal choice is blatantly irresponsible. In order to address the heart of the obesity problem, the Bush administration would have to take on some of the biggest financial contributors to the Republican Party. Food corporations spend about $33 billion a year to advertise and promote their products. Of this, close to 70 percent is spent on advertising soda, candy, snacks, convenience foods, alcoholic beverages and desserts. Much junk food marketing is targeted at young people. To compare, only 2.2 percent is spent on the promotion of fruits, vegetables, beans or grains. The food industry also has tremendous control over what we find on grocery shelves. In 1998, for example, two-thirds of the new food products fit into the "use sparingly" category of the USDA Food Pyramid. The Bush administration's unwillingness to confront the industry behind this epidemic is not surprising when political contributions are considered. From 1995 to 2002, food and grocery companies and restaurants gave more than $19.3 million in soft money to Republican causes, compared with $5.5 million to Democrats. In the 2000 election cycle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald's, Philip Morris/Altria (owner of Kraft Foods), Cracker Barrel, Pizza Hut and General Mills were all major Republican funders. Thompson's focus on physical activity and good eating habits keeps the heat off the industry driving this epidemic just as the 2004 election cycle gets into full swing. And the implications of pandering to the food industry do not stop at U.S. borders. The World Health Organization (WHO) is moving ahead with a "Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health" to respond to the obesity epidemic. Developed as policy recommendations for governments, the WHO's Global Strategy would help inform consumers about the dangers of foods high in sugar, salt and fat while curtailing promotion of junk food. This strategy has come under fire by food corporations, industry trade groups, and the U.S. government. In the fray at WHO, Bush administration officials have even denied any connection between unhealthy foods and obesity. By seeking to protect the interests of Big Food and Big Sugar at the expense of global health, the administration is living up to the name it has already made for itself. Many of the same arguments being used at WHO by the United States now were made earlier by our government officials during negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world's first public health treaty. Despite U.S. cowboy diplomacy throughout the treaty process, the FCTC was adopted and is moving swiftly toward implementation. It will save millions of lives and change the way Big Tobacco operates globally. The FCTC came into existence as a strong corporate accountability treaty because other countries were willing to stand up to U.S. attempts to derail it. It is time for the U.S. government to stop putting the profits of transnational corporations ahead of people's health and well being across the globe. It is time for Tommy Thompson to shape up and put health first. Patricia Lynn is campaign director of Infact (www.infact.org), a membership organization that protects people from irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the globe. |
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Obesity is the government's business
**** Post for FREE via your newsreader at post.usenet.com ****
First it was "Big Tobacco"......now it's "Big Food" "Wizard" wrote in message ... Published Monday, April 12, 2004 Lynn: Obesity is the government's business By Patricia Lynn MinutemanMedia.org Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson is urging Americans to improve our eating habits and exercise more. In other words, he wants each of us to focus on our own responsibility for the growing epidemic of obesity. Thompson's concern is warranted. According to a recent Centers for Disease Control study, obesity-related deaths will claim more than 500,000 lives annually in the United States by 2005. Globally, the forecast is also grim. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers are part of a major shift in the cause of deaths around the world. In the face of staggering statistics of the growing obesity-related death toll in the United States and globally, Thompson's recommended approach to addressing the problem would be laughable in its inadequacy if the stakes were not so high. Instead, the approach is shameful. Of course we should all eat more healthy foods and get more exercise. But for the U.S. government to frame this massive health problem as solely related to personal choice is blatantly irresponsible. In order to address the heart of the obesity problem, the Bush administration would have to take on some of the biggest financial contributors to the Republican Party. Food corporations spend about $33 billion a year to advertise and promote their products. Of this, close to 70 percent is spent on advertising soda, candy, snacks, convenience foods, alcoholic beverages and desserts. Much junk food marketing is targeted at young people. To compare, only 2.2 percent is spent on the promotion of fruits, vegetables, beans or grains. The food industry also has tremendous control over what we find on grocery shelves. In 1998, for example, two-thirds of the new food products fit into the "use sparingly" category of the USDA Food Pyramid. The Bush administration's unwillingness to confront the industry behind this epidemic is not surprising when political contributions are considered. From 1995 to 2002, food and grocery companies and restaurants gave more than $19.3 million in soft money to Republican causes, compared with $5.5 million to Democrats. In the 2000 election cycle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald's, Philip Morris/Altria (owner of Kraft Foods), Cracker Barrel, Pizza Hut and General Mills were all major Republican funders. Thompson's focus on physical activity and good eating habits keeps the heat off the industry driving this epidemic just as the 2004 election cycle gets into full swing. And the implications of pandering to the food industry do not stop at U.S. borders. The World Health Organization (WHO) is moving ahead with a "Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health" to respond to the obesity epidemic. Developed as policy recommendations for governments, the WHO's Global Strategy would help inform consumers about the dangers of foods high in sugar, salt and fat while curtailing promotion of junk food. This strategy has come under fire by food corporations, industry trade groups, and the U.S. government. In the fray at WHO, Bush administration officials have even denied any connection between unhealthy foods and obesity. By seeking to protect the interests of Big Food and Big Sugar at the expense of global health, the administration is living up to the name it has already made for itself. Many of the same arguments being used at WHO by the United States now were made earlier by our government officials during negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world's first public health treaty. Despite U.S. cowboy diplomacy throughout the treaty process, the FCTC was adopted and is moving swiftly toward implementation. It will save millions of lives and change the way Big Tobacco operates globally. The FCTC came into existence as a strong corporate accountability treaty because other countries were willing to stand up to U.S. attempts to derail it. It is time for the U.S. government to stop putting the profits of transnational corporations ahead of people's health and well being across the globe. It is time for Tommy Thompson to shape up and put health first. Patricia Lynn is campaign director of Infact (www.infact.org), a membership organization that protects people from irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the globe. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= *** Usenet.com - The #1 Usenet Newsgroup Service on The Planet! *** http://www.usenet.com Unlimited Download - 19 Seperate Servers - 90,000 groups - Uncensored -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |
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Obesity is the government's business
In alt.support.diet TX_Dude wrote:
**** Post for FREE via your newsreader at post.usenet.com **** First it was "Big Tobacco"......now it's "Big Food" Well, so many people whine "It's not my fault I am fat"... and then whine when a babysitter steps in to help them take care of themselves better? Can't have it both ways, IMO... I got fat from overeating. I now no longer overeat, and I am losing weight. I also have taken personal responsibility by not eating the junk which makes it more desirable to overeat, either. |
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Obesity is the government's business
**** Post for FREE via your newsreader at post.usenet.com ****
Lawyers Shift Focus from Big Tobacco to Big Food http://www.starbanner.com/apps/pbcs..../1009/BUSINESS "Crafting Mom" wrote in message ... In alt.support.diet TX_Dude wrote: **** Post for FREE via your newsreader at post.usenet.com **** First it was "Big Tobacco"......now it's "Big Food" Well, so many people whine "It's not my fault I am fat"... and then whine when a babysitter steps in to help them take care of themselves better? Can't have it both ways, IMO... I got fat from overeating. I now no longer overeat, and I am losing weight. I also have taken personal responsibility by not eating the junk which makes it more desirable to overeat, either. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= *** Usenet.com - The #1 Usenet Newsgroup Service on The Planet! *** http://www.usenet.com Unlimited Download - 19 Seperate Servers - 90,000 groups - Uncensored -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |
#5
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Obesity is the government's business
"Get the **** out of my body" as the pro-choicers would say!
"Wizard" wrote in message ... Published Monday, April 12, 2004 Lynn: Obesity is the government's business By Patricia Lynn MinutemanMedia.org Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson is urging Americans to improve our eating habits and exercise more. In other words, he wants each of us to focus on our own responsibility for the growing epidemic of obesity. Thompson's concern is warranted. According to a recent Centers for Disease Control study, obesity-related deaths will claim more than 500,000 lives annually in the United States by 2005. Globally, the forecast is also grim. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers are part of a major shift in the cause of deaths around the world. In the face of staggering statistics of the growing obesity-related death toll in the United States and globally, Thompson's recommended approach to addressing the problem would be laughable in its inadequacy if the stakes were not so high. Instead, the approach is shameful. Of course we should all eat more healthy foods and get more exercise. But for the U.S. government to frame this massive health problem as solely related to personal choice is blatantly irresponsible. In order to address the heart of the obesity problem, the Bush administration would have to take on some of the biggest financial contributors to the Republican Party. Food corporations spend about $33 billion a year to advertise and promote their products. Of this, close to 70 percent is spent on advertising soda, candy, snacks, convenience foods, alcoholic beverages and desserts. Much junk food marketing is targeted at young people. To compare, only 2.2 percent is spent on the promotion of fruits, vegetables, beans or grains. The food industry also has tremendous control over what we find on grocery shelves. In 1998, for example, two-thirds of the new food products fit into the "use sparingly" category of the USDA Food Pyramid. The Bush administration's unwillingness to confront the industry behind this epidemic is not surprising when political contributions are considered. From 1995 to 2002, food and grocery companies and restaurants gave more than $19.3 million in soft money to Republican causes, compared with $5.5 million to Democrats. In the 2000 election cycle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald's, Philip Morris/Altria (owner of Kraft Foods), Cracker Barrel, Pizza Hut and General Mills were all major Republican funders. Thompson's focus on physical activity and good eating habits keeps the heat off the industry driving this epidemic just as the 2004 election cycle gets into full swing. And the implications of pandering to the food industry do not stop at U.S. borders. The World Health Organization (WHO) is moving ahead with a "Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health" to respond to the obesity epidemic. Developed as policy recommendations for governments, the WHO's Global Strategy would help inform consumers about the dangers of foods high in sugar, salt and fat while curtailing promotion of junk food. This strategy has come under fire by food corporations, industry trade groups, and the U.S. government. In the fray at WHO, Bush administration officials have even denied any connection between unhealthy foods and obesity. By seeking to protect the interests of Big Food and Big Sugar at the expense of global health, the administration is living up to the name it has already made for itself. Many of the same arguments being used at WHO by the United States now were made earlier by our government officials during negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world's first public health treaty. Despite U.S. cowboy diplomacy throughout the treaty process, the FCTC was adopted and is moving swiftly toward implementation. It will save millions of lives and change the way Big Tobacco operates globally. The FCTC came into existence as a strong corporate accountability treaty because other countries were willing to stand up to U.S. attempts to derail it. It is time for the U.S. government to stop putting the profits of transnational corporations ahead of people's health and well being across the globe. It is time for Tommy Thompson to shape up and put health first. Patricia Lynn is campaign director of Infact (www.infact.org), a membership organization that protects people from irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the globe. |
#6
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Obesity is the government's business
"John Doezel" wrote in message news:VkIec.23937$xn4.41722@attbi_s51...
"Get the **** out of my body" as the pro-choicers would say! No kidding... Let me eat what I want... It is my responsibility to make sure my diet is healthy. It is a freedom that I want to keep. It is my responsibility and my right to learn proper nutritional information for myself and teach this nutritional information to my children. DO not take my rights from me... |
#7
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Obesity is the government's business
On 13 Apr 2004 14:18:20 -0700, harpoo wrote:
"John Doezel" wrote in message news:VkIec.23937$xn4.41722@attbi_s51... "Get the **** out of my body" as the pro-choicers would say! No kidding... Let me eat what I want... It is my responsibility to make sure my diet is healthy. It is a freedom that I want to keep. It is my responsibility and my right to learn proper nutritional information for myself and teach this nutritional information to my children. DO not take my rights from me... They already do. They mandate less than 30% fat in schools. The mere fact that there is such a thing as a "food pyramid" means that they're telling you what to eat (and doing a very poor job of it, I might add). -- Bob in CT Remove ".x" to reply |
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Obesity is the government's business
Bob in CT wrote in message ...
On 13 Apr 2004 14:18:20 -0700, harpoo wrote: "John Doezel" wrote in message news:VkIec.23937$xn4.41722@attbi_s51... "Get the **** out of my body" as the pro-choicers would say! No kidding... Let me eat what I want... It is my responsibility to make sure my diet is healthy. It is a freedom that I want to keep. It is my responsibility and my right to learn proper nutritional information for myself and teach this nutritional information to my children. DO not take my rights from me... They already do. They mandate less than 30% fat in schools. The mere fact that there is such a thing as a "food pyramid" means that they're telling you what to eat (and doing a very poor job of it, I might add). Regardless of the % of fat in the foods, moderation is the important factor... I know a lot of schools are serving pizza and fries all the time... How is this under 30% fat? Anyways, I like my kids to see this, b/c it helps them grasp the importance of NOT eating that stuff everyday, but being able to have it once in a while... That way they can enjoy it w/out having any of the problems associated with eating it everyday. I will say it again, "Moderation". Teach it to your children, they will grasp it a lot easier than "elimination". |
#9
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Obesity is the government's business
Pro-choicers don't try to bankrupt the country with the runaway
medical costs. If you, free people, want to keep eating ****, while I get to pay for the consequences, you bet your fat ass I want the government to be in your body! After all, they are saving me money. On the other hand, if I was a fat ass on welfare, I would agree with you. "John Doezel" wrote in message news:VkIec.23937$xn4.41722@attbi_s51... "Get the **** out of my body" as the pro-choicers would say! "Wizard" wrote in message ... Published Monday, April 12, 2004 Lynn: Obesity is the government's business By Patricia Lynn MinutemanMedia.org Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson is urging Americans to improve our eating habits and exercise more. In other words, he wants each of us to focus on our own responsibility for the growing epidemic of obesity. Thompson's concern is warranted. According to a recent Centers for Disease Control study, obesity-related deaths will claim more than 500,000 lives annually in the United States by 2005. Globally, the forecast is also grim. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers are part of a major shift in the cause of deaths around the world. In the face of staggering statistics of the growing obesity-related death toll in the United States and globally, Thompson's recommended approach to addressing the problem would be laughable in its inadequacy if the stakes were not so high. Instead, the approach is shameful. Of course we should all eat more healthy foods and get more exercise. But for the U.S. government to frame this massive health problem as solely related to personal choice is blatantly irresponsible. In order to address the heart of the obesity problem, the Bush administration would have to take on some of the biggest financial contributors to the Republican Party. Food corporations spend about $33 billion a year to advertise and promote their products. Of this, close to 70 percent is spent on advertising soda, candy, snacks, convenience foods, alcoholic beverages and desserts. Much junk food marketing is targeted at young people. To compare, only 2.2 percent is spent on the promotion of fruits, vegetables, beans or grains. The food industry also has tremendous control over what we find on grocery shelves. In 1998, for example, two-thirds of the new food products fit into the "use sparingly" category of the USDA Food Pyramid. The Bush administration's unwillingness to confront the industry behind this epidemic is not surprising when political contributions are considered. From 1995 to 2002, food and grocery companies and restaurants gave more than $19.3 million in soft money to Republican causes, compared with $5.5 million to Democrats. In the 2000 election cycle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald's, Philip Morris/Altria (owner of Kraft Foods), Cracker Barrel, Pizza Hut and General Mills were all major Republican funders. Thompson's focus on physical activity and good eating habits keeps the heat off the industry driving this epidemic just as the 2004 election cycle gets into full swing. And the implications of pandering to the food industry do not stop at U.S. borders. The World Health Organization (WHO) is moving ahead with a "Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health" to respond to the obesity epidemic. Developed as policy recommendations for governments, the WHO's Global Strategy would help inform consumers about the dangers of foods high in sugar, salt and fat while curtailing promotion of junk food. This strategy has come under fire by food corporations, industry trade groups, and the U.S. government. In the fray at WHO, Bush administration officials have even denied any connection between unhealthy foods and obesity. By seeking to protect the interests of Big Food and Big Sugar at the expense of global health, the administration is living up to the name it has already made for itself. Many of the same arguments being used at WHO by the United States now were made earlier by our government officials during negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world's first public health treaty. Despite U.S. cowboy diplomacy throughout the treaty process, the FCTC was adopted and is moving swiftly toward implementation. It will save millions of lives and change the way Big Tobacco operates globally. The FCTC came into existence as a strong corporate accountability treaty because other countries were willing to stand up to U.S. attempts to derail it. It is time for the U.S. government to stop putting the profits of transnational corporations ahead of people's health and well being across the globe. It is time for Tommy Thompson to shape up and put health first. Patricia Lynn is campaign director of Infact (www.infact.org), a membership organization that protects people from irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the globe. |
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