Food fight over calorie posting

We need to attack a number of fronts in order to wage a war on obesity. That means we need to agree to exercise, change how we run our kitchens and pantries on the homefront, add PE to school and especially re-think how we eat outside the home. To start that process we have to recognize that a large percentage of the selections are high sodium, high fat, high sugar, and served in portions that are too large. One way to get a handle on outside eating is to have the facts clearly displayed. That means per serving nutritional breakdowns available to our perusal - before we open our mouths..

Currently the legislation that has been passed or is going to be passed in certain states only involves requiring restaurant chains that 20 or more "restaurants of the same name" to follow tis legislation. So smaller chains and individual restaurants basically get a by on this. So do large food companies that have many different small chains, Like the Patina Group, which owns 60 plus restaurants. Statistics show that only 25% of more than a million restuarants fall under this legislation. Sure, it's a start, but we need to do better. And maybe the government needs to help smaller businesses with the science costs of analyzing their food. Because to battle obesity, we need some food transparency.

The reality however is that we will probably, even in the face of this new legislation, continue to battle way-to-high levels of obesity. Why? To quote DeWayne Wickham of USA Today, "We are a country overrun with people who think life is a spectator sport." I would take it one step further and add that we have forgotten that eating food is supposed to be tasty experience that fuels our body and not an American pasttime. And when we gain weight, our response should not be the next trendiest diet but a solid lifestyle makeover that can withstand the test of time. That may mean getting help from health professionals- nutritionists or dieticians, personal trainers, doctors, psychologists, even cooking experts. Otherwise cheap accessible food that is high fat, high calorie, high in sodium and typically processed will continue to be our go to food-in large portions - and we'll eat it while we sit in front of the TV or computer.

Obesity costs...alot

The latest headlines that reflect the latest research, polls and statistics confirms what most of us knew already. If you have a dignosis of obesity, it will cost you money. Not just the endless dollars you spend on extra food which when eaten requires extra dollars spent on the latest diet pill, trend, book which works for a short while only to have you spend more food on food, new clothes to fit your growing body (cause you threw the old clothes out when you convinced yourself that you conquered obesity) only to need to spend more dollars on the newer diet books, potions and exercise equipment that you now believe will help you lose the weight you already lost (how many times??).

No, the costs the headlines are referring to reflect the extra care you need because of your obesity. You are likely to develop diabetes type 2, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, high cholesterol and then you will need more medical care. You may become so obese that you require specialized medical transport in an emergency or need to have additional trips added to your medical bills to transport you to larger testing equipment that can assess a larger person. Bottom line is that extra weight costs extra money for a variety of reasons and the next generation of young people, who are developing weight issues at an earlier age, will place the burden of these additional healthcare costs on a healthcare system that is already strapped for cash.

So what can we do? We can accept that we all overeat for a variety of reasons and many of us have exemplary excuses for not exercising. That being said- we need to take ownership of our health realities and destinies and work on the causes and strategize so that we reduce temptation, make healthy food more of a regular part of our lives, get the calorie and portion facts that personally work for each of us and add physical activity to our daily lives - whether we like to exercise or not. Personally, I don't like to balance my checkbook, but I do it because bouncing a check or declaring bankruptcy is not an option. I take my daily supplements, regularly, because I recognize there are gaping holes even in my stellar diet. And I seek to create a home and outside the home environment that supports my health. One step at a time, one habit at a time, one day at a time - with planning and strategizing. You can do it too.

http://www.fatfamiliesthinfamilies.com/

Swine flu vaccine undergoing tests in Australia

Australia is well into its yearly winter flu season. In addition to the yearly flu vaccine, two small groups of Australians are testing 2 new flu vaccines. adelaide-based Vaxine is vaccinating 300 subjects while Melbourne's CSL has 240 people in their trial. Trials may last 6-7 months which will coincide to the middle portion of our (US) flu season. Should the CSL vaccine work, the Australian government has ordered 21 million doses.

The Australian trials will help to determine the dose of vacine and schedule of administration. Since it's the first time humans will be vaccinated with this new flu vaccine health officials anticipate that it may require two doses of vaccine, a couple of weeks apart, similar to the first time a child gets the traditional flu vaccine.

Though the swine flu has become a worldwide pandemic, experts do not want to fast track a vaccine through trials at the risk of safety. It is expected that first signs of efficacy will be clear six to seven weeks after the vaccine is administered. Both companies are hopeful but feel that there is no guarantee that the vaccines will work. Swine flu is a bit daunting in terms of its behavior and pathogenesis, so only time and these first trials will tell if vaccine protection will be successfully disseminated during this year's resurgence of the H1N1 flu here in the US.

Child obesity versus child abuse

USA Today, July 21, Life Section features an article on a mother being accused of child neglect/abuse because her teenage son has ballooned to the morbid obesity category. This case follows a similar case in New York, back in 2007, which involved a female teen who weight over 280 pounds. The mother did not receive jail time in the NY case, though the daughter was temporarily placed in foster care (the young man in this new case had a similar fate). Recommendations in the New York case included nutritional counseling, cooking classes and regular gym workouts. In both cases the mothers have pleaded "not guilty" and offered the explanation that they are not "force feeding" their kids and as older teens, they have access to food away from home.


The New Yorker magazine features an article in their July 20 issue-Why are we so fat? To bottom line the contention - we, as humans, evolved to seek food, which was not plentiful, to eat a lot to sustain us through famine times, and unfortunately, we are still eating that way, though food is plentiful and we are not nearly as active as our ancestors. And sure, fake foods and high fat/high sugar options make us just want more.


Today on Fox news/Cavuto, there was a discussion about our new Surgeon General who, according to one fitness expert, is clearly carrying excess weight - he estimated an additional 50 or 60 pounds. "What kind of role model is this?" the expert asked. Cavuto countered that maybe she has a slow metabolic rate or she is "fat and fit." Frankly that fit and fat belief is a bit of a health conflict.

In response I counter the following- I recently measured my RMR-resting metabolic rate- and it is under 1200 calories per day. That means if I do no activity, I can only eat less than 1200 calories in order to avoid weight gain. That's not a lot of food. If I do moderate to strenuous exercise, I get to add about 300, maybe 350 calories - not a whole lot of calories, considering the exercise effort. And clearly, if you look at my physique, I do carry muscle mass that is obvious - and yet, it does not seem to be inspiring my metabolic rate. So I learned a long time agao (not even scientifically knowing my RMR) that I needed to be a calorie counter, cautious eater. My genetic destiny is 3rd generation obese - so when I lost 50 pounds in my teens with Weight Watchers, I knew that to help my kids someday avoid that "genetic tendency" I needed to be really smart about how food and calories and portion sizes and activity were presented to them, from a very young age.

I did not want to create eating disorders in my kids or a preoccupation with food, but rather "healthy food attitudes." And I certainly wanted them to feel that daily execise is equal to brushing your teeth - it has to be a daily habit. Period. So in answer to all these theories in all these articles and discussions, I feel very much justified in pointing my finger at parents and saying that just like my mom had a genetic destiny and she then compounded that issue with her "fat habits" teaching me to overeat pretty much everyday (the wrong foods) - I was able to thwart those genes in myself and my kids by establishing healthy eating and exercise protocols, that exist inside and outside the home. Sure we as a family eat treats, but not everyday and with great relish and slow pace. And in response to clients and friends who seem to feel the need to "fatten up their thin kids" I respond - look at yourself and your husband in middle age. The "fattening up" will happen inevitably (to many of you who were slim earlier in life) without you hastening it in their youth- why not combat that inevitability by showcasing a smart and healthy approach to eating?

I don't dispute the food abundance, the poor quality food temptations, the video and computer contributions to sedentary lifestyle and the emotional pull that draws us to "treat every emotion with food." I also acknowledge that if you are financially challenged, you have to put some effort into healthy food access. I do however believe that parents are the significant contributors to how children interact with food and physical activity. Most of us deserve an F on that report card.







http://www.fatfamiliesthinfamilies.com/

Hormone therapy and ovarian cancer...vitamin D

A new study of a large body of women suggest that use of HT (hormone therapy) - whether short (6 months) or longer -correlates with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. When clinicians decide to use any medication, they engage in a risk/benefit assessment, usually sharing that with the patient. Up until this study, it was believed that short term use of HT for moderate to severe persistant hot flashes was a reasonable approach, with the caveat that two years of use should be the cut off and with the understanding that after every several months of treatment the womwn should wean off the HT and see if she still needs treatment or not for persistent symptoms. This approach was to recognize the increased risk of breast cancer with use of HT, particularly longer use.

This new study now indicates that there is an increased risk of ovarian cancer even with short term use of HT. And ovarian cancer is particularly worrisome because it can often present silently , not revealing identifiable symptoms till it is quite advanced. Doctors may certainly have to re-think the "moderate hot flashes" benefit/risk ratio and obviously counsel patients who request HT for severe hot flashes. It's going to be a much tougher decision and there may be a need to re-evaluate screenng for ovarian cancer during its use.

The American Academy of Dermatologists along with other groups has now recognized the need for additional vitamin D but would like to see consumers obtain it from supplements and foods. All of the medical groups agreed that using sun exposure sans sunblock was not recommended to the risk of skin cancer. They did agree that when sunblock is used regularly, your need for vitamin D from foods and supplements increases. So ask your doctor what are the target goals of daily vitamin D that you should target and use food, supplements as your primary source.

There will always be another diet

If you watch the yearly cycle of new non-fiction books you will typically see a new round of self help/nutrition/fitness program books come out first of the year - because we are all so motivated after the end of the year food frenzy - and near summertime - because we all want to look better as we shed layers of clothes. Since there is no set time to "get healthy," because it really has never been connected to a seasonal theme or a holiday theme, releasing those books are a bit trickier.

There's also the problem of choosing a title for your more health-driven book. Go too , and you probably won't gain audience with serious book reviewers, columnist nor with the consumer seeking serious, science driven information. And yet, the books with the quirkiest and sexiest titles do very brisk sales -though sometimes what may actually propel those sales is a celebrtiy who picks up the book (think "Skinny Bitch"). On the other hand a dry title from a world recognized celebrity, or expert is pretty much going to sell like crazy. So are books that make promises you just want to believe or that seem ot offer strategies that seem a heck of a lot easier than those currently in use.

What about the books that offer really good content and honesty, even brutal honesty in their titles? I decided to call my book Fat Families Thin Families, hoping that the obesity crisis would guarantee its success. After all, people who are seriously overweight need to embrace their reality and then do something about it. After all, if anyone opened my book they would also see that the words "fat and thin" were really talking about habits and not just size of body. Well, it was a humbling lesson to learn that honesty and dollars spent on PR to make the book's availability known, and my experience in media - only sold a modest number of books.

But I've been given a second chance. My poublishers so believe in my message and content that we will release the book again, in softcover with.... a new title. Talk about agony!! NOW do I go sexy or catchy phrase or try to create a "can't pass this book up" title?? Or do I try to generate a new title, a bit less "in your face" that explains my program for lifestyle change, for the family, in a more simple approachable way? I guess this will be my stress and sleepless night initiator for the next several months. In the end, I did recently receive a wonderful book endorsement. An educator I met let me know that he was considering using my book as a textbook for a new course he was teaching. Nothing that Jennifer Aniston would shout about...but for this humble first time author, it was a really special moment.

I released a book in 2008 called Fat Families Thin Families, hoping that the ongoing burden of an obesity epidemic would fuel sales. After all, we need to recognize our girth, in order to seek programs that heal or at minimum help us.

Gotti passes kidney stones

Well John A. Gotti Jr.and I have something in common - we've both had kidney stones. I daresay the pain was something unique to him, albeit the pain of jail may be just a bit more sensitive....or maybe not. Because I must confess, the pain I experienced was, indeed, worse than childbirth - which I've done 2 times with zero, I repeat zero pain palliation. That's right, no epidural, no pain pills, absolutely nothing except some local injections just prior to an episiotomy. I'd compare the pain to the worst bowel movement I can ever imagine, but tolerable. I did have short labors, 6 and 7 hours respectively.

Now the kidney stone was a whole other matter. I was incredibly nauseous, throwing up numerous times, feeling urgency to urinate - nothing would come out - and there was excrutiating pain all over my abdomen - could not even pin point it if I tried. By the time I made it to the hospital (driven by a very distressed husband doctor) I had my arm out in the air, and this drug virgin was yelling, "Give me something, anything!!" A scan revealed the little stone right at the end of my ureter, ready we all hoped, to pass into my bladder. It did about 4 hours later.

The cause of my kidney stone was probably dehydration. I had traveled by air several times in the last month and I don't think I was hydrating sufficiently. Needless to say I do now. It's nice to know that scientists have found evidence of kidney stones in a 7,000 year old mummy. I wonder what they used for pain relief back then?? Kidney stone prevention involves drinking enough water daily, steer clear of calcium in pill form (if your doctor concurs), and if your urine is highly acidic you may be told to limit meat, fish and poultry - but that's OK, plant based proteins are good for you. Remember that if your urine is even a bit yellow, you're not drinking enough water or liquids.