Critics are quick to call it junk science but a new junk food study released in the March 8 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine has an interesting finding and poses a solution to a global problem. The 20year study shows a correlation between the cost of junk food and levels of consumption. “The researchers calculated that an 18 percent tax on unhealthy foods would reduce consumption by about 56 calories per person per day, which would lead to a weight loss of about five pounds per person per year, lowering the risk of obesity-related diseases.” usnews.com 3.9.10
How widespread is the problem? According to the World Health Organization there are more than 1 billion overweight adults, globally, and at least 300 million of them obese. The key causes are increased consumption of energy-dense foods high in saturated fats and sugars combined with reduced activity
Panoramix View: As health care costs skyrocket and consumers suffer, brands are soon to be vilified in the battle against type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer.