Obesity growing issue, especially among children

(July 17, 2009) Theories and hypotheses abound as to why obesity has become epidemic in the United States. Two-thirds of American adults are overweight, and as many as 30 percent of our children are overweight. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in the past 25 years and is a statistic that is truly alarming and needs to be addressed immediately.

Pollution in our environment, toxicity of food supply, profusion of personal computers, the increase of super-sized portions, couch potato positions and troubled economical times certainly play a part in the super-sized waistline expansion. But if one delves beyond the obvious, a common denominator factor is quite clear. Saving pennies is a goal of families and businesses. If we could only look into the hourglass of time, we would realize the "price" for our frugality might be quite costly.

Michael Pollan, food journalist and author of the of "The Omnivore's Dilemma, a Natural History of Four Meals," points out that when families are faced with the option of inexpensive

foods, they will choose the economical alternative and forgo healthy choices. History backs this report. Since the late 1970s, Americans' average daily intake of calories has risen more than 10 percent. One factor cannot be denied — high fructose corn syrup is a major component of the American diet and is unquestionably a contributing factor to the rise of obesity.

High fructose corn syrup has been a topic of much debate. It was introduced into the American market in the early 1980s. An explosion of consumption is not always a good thing. Producing harmful calories that are easy on the budget or producing more expensive food that is healthy should not be options. Red flag alert is in effect, especially to those who have children.

High fructose corn syrup contains 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose, which make this product sweet as honey and quite tempting. When imported sugar became prohibitively expensive, many food and beverage manufacturers began using high fructose corn syrup as a replacement for sugar. High fructose corn syrup can be found in soda products, cake mixes, cookies, sauces, breakfast cereals, health bars, baked goods and even in over the counter medicines. Taking time to read the nutritional facts can be a somber but enlightening experience.

An excerpt from "You: Staying Young — The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty," written by Mehmet Oz, M.D. and Michael Roisen, M.D., explains the dangers of high fructose corn syrup: "One of the biggest evil influences on our diet is the presence of high fructose corn syrup, a sugar substitute that itself is a sugar found in soft drinks and many other sweet, processed foods. The problem is that HCFS inhibits leptin secretion, so you never get the message that you're full. And it never shuts off gherin, so, even though you have food in your stomach, you constantly get the message that you're hungry."

But if one thinks this is the only negative aspect of HFCS, continue on.

According to a recent article published in the scientific journal, Environmental Health, nearly 50 percent of commercial HFCS samples tested positive for mercury. What is more shocking is the fact that the US Food and Drug Administration knew about the mercury and has been sitting on this information since 2005.

Mercury is a toxin that accumulates in fish and seafood, but this is not the only route of travel. When babies are exposed to mercury in the womb, there is the possibility that their brains develop abnormally, impairing learning abilities. Scientists have not determined the "safe" level of exposure to mercury at this early stage of life.

Yes, there has been an attempt by various companies to rectify this dilemma. However, I urge people to take matters in their own hands and carefully examine the food that is placed on the table.

Shopping for food has taken on several venues of interest. Consumers are inundated with choices. Take the time to ensure the best quality and safety for your loved ones. Their future is in your hands.

Satisfying the "sweet tooth" of children can be a healthy experience that ensures memories of the kitchen to be passed on to future generations.

Homemade tropical popsicles are a refreshing way to instill good eating habits and, at the same time, enjoy the tasty fruits of the summer. The following recipe is meant to be only as guide. Allow personal taste to be the inner chef that creates yummy treats for the entire family to enjoy.
Tropical popsicles
1 1/4 pounds combined peaches,
pineapple and oranges. The fruit must
be peeled and pitted.
juice of 1/4 lemon
2 tablespoons frozen concentrated
apple juice
1/8 cup sugar (amount will vary
according to sweetness of fruit)
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Coarsely chop fruit.

2. Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.

3. Divide the mixture evenly into Popsicle molds or small paper cups.

4. Freeze until mixture begins to set (about 1 hour).

5. Insert popsicle sticks and continue to freeze until completely firm (about 1 hour).

Secret Ingredient: Concern. "There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem, a concerned person solves the problem" … Harold Stephens