Big Foods - the next Big Tobacco?

Dr. Lundberg posted a provocative video about obesity on Medscape Today in 2004. http://bit.ly/27L3YG He invited viewers to respond. So I wrote a letter that was chosen and published online as "More Serious Letters About Obesity".

I took exception to his comment: “nobody seems to care.[1]” As a healthcare provider myself (a pharmacist), I care very much. The main points in my letter still ring true 5 years later.

1. It's really sad when people in the United States are literally eating themselves to death. And their resulting poor health will surely bankrupt our already sick healthcare system.

2. The movie, Super Size Me, should be required viewing in every school everywhere. It was scarier than any movie that I've seen in years! I've preached “moderation” to my patients for years, but headlines about moderation and common sense are just not sexy enough to create a media frenzy. Nobody makes money selling common sense.

3. Maybe the powers that be will finally take on “Big Foods” like they did with "Big Tobacco".

(Who ever thought that that could really happen, but who knows? Maybe lightning can strike twice!)
I'd love to see the Feds require food processors to cut the Salt content in half on every prepared food product - not just "Killer Snacks"! That alone would be a great start toward a healthier population.

Unfortunately, in most cases, obesity is the obvious "side-effect" of over-eating, which is the cause of Diabetes and many other self-imposed disease states .

In an effort to help people manage their growing array of medications successfully, OnTimeRx will remind these same diabetic, cardiac, and cholesterol-loaded patients to take their pills on time, even while they're supersizing themselves at McDonalds!

Wouldn't it be great if we could give everyone a "virtual headslap" to simply make them eat less?