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Is
the system making you overweight?
December 18, 03
Suzanne Havala Hobbs
We
all want to be healthy, right?
But who benefits when you are fit, well, and live a lifestyle
that promotes health?
You do. So does your family. Your friends. Your employer.
But there is also a matrix of food producers, marketers and
others who benefit when you overeat and watch hours of TV
advertising.
Reports in the January issue of Consumer Reports magazine
and on ABC Prime Time Monday this month shed light on this
reality. Understanding it can help you defend yourself against
a “toxic environment” that leads many of us into
lifestyles of obesity and chronic disease.
ABC, in a Dec. 8 Peter Jennings segment entitled “How
to Get Fat Without Really Trying” and Consumer Reports,
in an article entitled “Cut the Fat,” examined
how the American food system overproduces ingredients used
to make fattening processed foods and junk foods. They described
the billions of dollars in subsidies given to factory farmers
to produce foods high in sugar and fat, while little is done
to support production of health-promoting fruits and vegetables.
“Many American farms are churning out an overabundance
of food, especially the foods that put on the pounds,”
Consumer Reports said.
Tom Stenzel, president and CEO of the United Fresh Fruit and
Vegetable Association, told Jennings: “There’s
a disconnect between agricultural policy and health policy.
That’s probably the biggest problem that the federal
government faces. We don’t look at how agricultural
policy can help improve public health. It’s strictly
about subsidies.”
And
then there’s the advertising.
The food industry invests $33 billion each year to promote
its products, especially fast-food, soft drinks and other
high-fat, sugary junk foods.
Big bucks are also spent influencing Congress to pass laws
favorable to the food and restaurant industries and to water
down government dietary recommendations.
“Even as Americans have been consuming ever-larger quantities
of sugary, high-fat and high-calorie drinks and foods, the
government’s official nutritional advice has steadily
retreated from forthrightly stating that people should consume
less of these things,” Consumer Reports said.
It all adds up to a system that encourages overeating, leading
to overweight and chronic health conditions and illnesses.
The food and restaurant industries are quick to point out
that no one forces us to eat. Each of us is responsible for
our own lifestyle choices, they say.
That’s true. In fact, I’ll take that sentiment
a step further: Your personal response to the food production,
marketing and regulatory matrix is the only part of the equation
you can control to promote your, and your family’s,
health.
If you want to remain healthy in a culture that promotes overeating
and unhealthy lifestyle choices, you have to be vigilant and
determined. Yes, it takes tremendous effort. But that’s
the fact.
One way to look at the remedy: Unplug yourself from the matrix.
For instance:
• Refuse to buy soft drinks. And sweetened beverages.
Drink water or 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices instead.
• Keep junk snacks out of the house. And if you want
dessert, make your own from scratch using wholesome ingredients.
• Rely on frozen entrees and processed foods only in
a pinch. Fix meals from scratch using whole, unprocessed ingredients.
• Turn off the TV.
But most importantly, remember: Very little about our current
system is set up to support you and your family. The balance
of power now lies with those who have an interest in compelling
you to consume more of the foods you shouldn’t and fewer
of those you should.
You’ve got to look out for yourself.
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