/PRNewswire/ -- The First Lady and the Surgeon General are trying to rally Americans to fight against the "epidemic" of obesity. Perhaps they will inspire many to follow their leadership by example. Otherwise, the role of the federal government in curbing obesity is questionable, write economists Michael Marlow and Alden Shiers of California Polytechnic State University.
The government's tools are taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, bans on soft drinks in schools, regulations forcing restaurants to post calorie counts, and government-funded motivational programs.
In an article in the fall issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, Marlow and Shiers argue that these methods are ineffective or even counterproductive.
Consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks doubled between 1960 and 1980, a period when obesity rates were stable, and has been declining recently. Taxes are more likely to affect the behavior of casual consumers, who are more price sensitive, than of heavy consumers. States with strong restrictive policies on soft drinks in schools have no better obesity statistics than those with no such policies. Calorie labeling laws do not cause consumers to order lower-calorie meals.
The idea of funneling "sin tax" revenues into government programs to discourage unhealthy behavior has been tried with tobacco taxes. Roughly 10 percent of tobacco tax revenue flows into smoking-control programs--which are not very effective--and the rest is used for unrelated government programs.
"We predict government intervention will make obesity worse as it crowds out market-based solutions that effectively tie weight loss to personal responsibility, higher wages, and lower insurance premiums," write Marlow and Shiers.
"The main effect of the campaign will be to extract more money from taxpayers and to expand government."
-----
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Showing posts with label obesity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obesity. Show all posts
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Is Obesity a Disease? Current Research, Facts, Figures, and the Pros and Cons at New ProCon.org Website
/PRNewswire/ -- ProCon.org, a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity dedicated to promoting critical thinking, created the new website http://www.obesity.procon.org/ to explore the core question "Is obesity a disease?"
The debate over whether or not obesity is a disease grows as obesity rates and the cost of treating obesity-related conditions increase in the United States.
Proponents stress that obesity is a disease because it is a result of genetics and biological factors, citing scientific studies that have shown a link between obesity and heredity. Certain known illnesses can also cause weight gain or obesity, including hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Opponents argue that obesity is not a disease because it is the result of a person's environment (i.e. residential location, social circle, economic status, etc.), lifestyle, and eating habits, citing other studies that show obesity is a result of environment and social networks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an "epidemic" of 72 million obese people in the United States in 2006 with 34.3% of adults considered obese (vs. 13.4% in 1962) and 32.7% considered overweight (vs. 31.5% in 1962).
In 2005 obesity accounted for an estimated 216,000 deaths (1 in 10 deaths) among U.S. adults. It was the third-leading risk factor in U.S. adult deaths, after tobacco smoking (467,000 deaths) and high blood pressure (395,000 deaths). Obesity and obesity-related health conditions cost an estimated 10% of annual medical spending in the US, totaling $147 billion in 2008.
As of Dec. 15, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO), FDA, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have all stated that obesity is a disease. The CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have not taken a position on whether or not obesity is a disease. The U.S. House of Representatives in its Oct. 29, 2009 health care bill H.R. 3962 included obesity as a "behavioral risk factor" and not as a disease.
The latest ProCon.org website explores many pro and con arguments and includes sources, images, videos, reader comments, and a section of little known facts called "Did You Know?" The findings should help readers think critically, educate themselves, and make informed decisions about eating, exercise, and their own Body Mass Index (BMI).
Did You Know?
-- In 2008 Mississippi had the highest rate of obesity out of all the
U.S. states at 32.8% of its population. Colorado had the lowest rate
at 18.5%.
-- Out of dozens of countries studied, U.S. males ranked 5th and U.S.
females ranked 11th in obesity according to World Health Organization
data from 2000-2007.
-- In 2005 obesity accounted for an estimated 216,000 deaths (1 in 10
deaths) among U.S. adults. It was the third-leading risk factor in
U.S. adult deaths after tobacco smoking (467,000 deaths) and high
blood pressure (395,000 deaths).
-- 67% of the adult U.S. population was either overweight or obese
between 2005-2006.
-- Since 2002, Americans who are medically diagnosed as obese have been
allowed to claim federal tax deductions for doctor prescribed
treatments, "special food," and weight loss programs.
-----
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The debate over whether or not obesity is a disease grows as obesity rates and the cost of treating obesity-related conditions increase in the United States.
Proponents stress that obesity is a disease because it is a result of genetics and biological factors, citing scientific studies that have shown a link between obesity and heredity. Certain known illnesses can also cause weight gain or obesity, including hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Opponents argue that obesity is not a disease because it is the result of a person's environment (i.e. residential location, social circle, economic status, etc.), lifestyle, and eating habits, citing other studies that show obesity is a result of environment and social networks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an "epidemic" of 72 million obese people in the United States in 2006 with 34.3% of adults considered obese (vs. 13.4% in 1962) and 32.7% considered overweight (vs. 31.5% in 1962).
In 2005 obesity accounted for an estimated 216,000 deaths (1 in 10 deaths) among U.S. adults. It was the third-leading risk factor in U.S. adult deaths, after tobacco smoking (467,000 deaths) and high blood pressure (395,000 deaths). Obesity and obesity-related health conditions cost an estimated 10% of annual medical spending in the US, totaling $147 billion in 2008.
As of Dec. 15, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO), FDA, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have all stated that obesity is a disease. The CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have not taken a position on whether or not obesity is a disease. The U.S. House of Representatives in its Oct. 29, 2009 health care bill H.R. 3962 included obesity as a "behavioral risk factor" and not as a disease.
The latest ProCon.org website explores many pro and con arguments and includes sources, images, videos, reader comments, and a section of little known facts called "Did You Know?" The findings should help readers think critically, educate themselves, and make informed decisions about eating, exercise, and their own Body Mass Index (BMI).
Did You Know?
-- In 2008 Mississippi had the highest rate of obesity out of all the
U.S. states at 32.8% of its population. Colorado had the lowest rate
at 18.5%.
-- Out of dozens of countries studied, U.S. males ranked 5th and U.S.
females ranked 11th in obesity according to World Health Organization
data from 2000-2007.
-- In 2005 obesity accounted for an estimated 216,000 deaths (1 in 10
deaths) among U.S. adults. It was the third-leading risk factor in
U.S. adult deaths after tobacco smoking (467,000 deaths) and high
blood pressure (395,000 deaths).
-- 67% of the adult U.S. population was either overweight or obese
between 2005-2006.
-- Since 2002, Americans who are medically diagnosed as obese have been
allowed to claim federal tax deductions for doctor prescribed
treatments, "special food," and weight loss programs.
-----
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Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage
Friday, December 28, 2007
Oh crud, now they're going after caffeine...
Toxic Note: I hate posting this one. However, I am now heading off to search for some way to increase my serotonin (aside from exercising) so I can keep imbibing my caffeine. At least I now have an excuse for gaining weight. It's not 'cause I sit in front of the computer for most of the day, it's because I'm chugging caffeine while I'm sitting. I am a very happy person, not depressed in the least. Therefore, I declare the following partially bunk. Caffeine as an excuse for weight gain I can live with...
Caffeine Plays Critical Role in Obesity and Depression, Says Researcher Phoenix Gilman
ATLANTA, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The #1 most socially accepted, legalized drug is caffeine. Both young and old consume it daily - and at an alarming rate - be it in their lattes, energy drinks, ice teas, sodas, etc. Yet caffeine is highly addictive and it drastically depletes serotonin, a major neurotransmitter that governs critical aspects of the brain's ability to function properly.
Obesity is a frightening epidemic. Antidepressants are the most prescribed pharmaceutical drug. As such, researcher and international author Phoenix Gilman is urgently trying to inform others, through her book and interviews nationwide, that caffeine is contributing significantly to our health crisis.
Gilman says, "Caffeine, along with many other things, depletes serotonin. Side effects of low serotonin are numerous, ranging from carbohydrate cravings, binge eating, obesity, to anxiety, ADD, depression, alcoholism and suicidal behavior - not forgetting, insomnia, PMS, migraines, increased risks for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers. Shockingly, no one in the media is talking about this clinically proven research, research that has the potential to help millions live healthier. And though I'm thrilled to hear CA is considering labeling caffeine as a toxic substance, the awareness needs to go far beyond that."
About the author: Entrepreneur Phoenix Gilman is an internationally respected author and weight loss/wellness expert with 30 years of experience, from personal trainer and sports nutritionist, to researcher, product developer, consumer activist and speaker. Fed up with the misinformation and marketing scams running rampant within the diet, food and pharmaceutical industries, she vowed to make a difference. Her book, "DIET FAILURE ... THE NAKED TRUTH: The Brain Chemistry Key to Losing Weight and Achieving Extraordinary Health" is the result.
Her research has been recognized by many, including the Centers for Disease Control, Forbes.com, Focus Atlanta (CW television network), Citizens Commission on Human Rights and best-selling authors Michael Murray, ND, co- author of the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, and Diana Schwarzbein, MD, author of The Schwarzbein Principle. Phoenix has done over 200 interviews nationwide, from radio, print, to TV.
Caffeine Plays Critical Role in Obesity and Depression, Says Researcher Phoenix Gilman
ATLANTA, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The #1 most socially accepted, legalized drug is caffeine. Both young and old consume it daily - and at an alarming rate - be it in their lattes, energy drinks, ice teas, sodas, etc. Yet caffeine is highly addictive and it drastically depletes serotonin, a major neurotransmitter that governs critical aspects of the brain's ability to function properly.
Obesity is a frightening epidemic. Antidepressants are the most prescribed pharmaceutical drug. As such, researcher and international author Phoenix Gilman is urgently trying to inform others, through her book and interviews nationwide, that caffeine is contributing significantly to our health crisis.
Gilman says, "Caffeine, along with many other things, depletes serotonin. Side effects of low serotonin are numerous, ranging from carbohydrate cravings, binge eating, obesity, to anxiety, ADD, depression, alcoholism and suicidal behavior - not forgetting, insomnia, PMS, migraines, increased risks for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers. Shockingly, no one in the media is talking about this clinically proven research, research that has the potential to help millions live healthier. And though I'm thrilled to hear CA is considering labeling caffeine as a toxic substance, the awareness needs to go far beyond that."
About the author: Entrepreneur Phoenix Gilman is an internationally respected author and weight loss/wellness expert with 30 years of experience, from personal trainer and sports nutritionist, to researcher, product developer, consumer activist and speaker. Fed up with the misinformation and marketing scams running rampant within the diet, food and pharmaceutical industries, she vowed to make a difference. Her book, "DIET FAILURE ... THE NAKED TRUTH: The Brain Chemistry Key to Losing Weight and Achieving Extraordinary Health" is the result.
Her research has been recognized by many, including the Centers for Disease Control, Forbes.com, Focus Atlanta (CW television network), Citizens Commission on Human Rights and best-selling authors Michael Murray, ND, co- author of the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, and Diana Schwarzbein, MD, author of The Schwarzbein Principle. Phoenix has done over 200 interviews nationwide, from radio, print, to TV.
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