Tobacco & Obesity Research News
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Washington Times article on the Northeastern University conference sponsored by the Public Health Advocacy Institute. "The second annual conference, made up of trial lawyers, dietitians and public-health advocates, follows a year in which several obesity-related suits have been filed against food manufacturers and fast-food chains."
Marguerite Higgins
Anti-obesity group mulls swell in suits
THE WASHINGTON TIMES 9/19/2004
John F. Banzhaf III is a Professor of Law at George Washington Universtiy School of Law. He has a BSEE from MIT and a PhD in Law from Columbia U. How could a fellow engineer go so wrong?
Here's his website with a special page on Obesity
Marguerite Higgins
Anti-obesity group mulls swell in suits
THE WASHINGTON TIMES 9/19/2004
John F. Banzhaf III is a Professor of Law at George Washington Universtiy School of Law. He has a BSEE from MIT and a PhD in Law from Columbia U. How could a fellow engineer go so wrong?
Here's his website with a special page on Obesity
Friday, August 13, 2004
RE: RESEARCH REPORT - The Economics of Obesity
They acknowledge that much of the recent increase in obesity can be blamed on the "the rapid growth in the per capita number of fast-food restaurants and full-service restaurants" which is fueled by the " ...increases in rates of labor force participation by women." Yes, fast food restaurants sell food that is high in calories. But they are simply responding to a demand by consumers for quick meals as women are working in the high pressure office more and spend less time in the home, tilling fields and preparing diner.
The second largest influence was the reduction in smoking, accounting for 20% of the increase in girth. Tobacco use is well know for use in the Native American peace making activities and as the ultimate herbal remedy for asthma, ADDH, stress reduction and weight control.
So, why sue the tobacco, and now the food industry for responding to the demands of social change? And no, it is not fair to blame women either, who trust me, are not going to be re-donning aprons soon. More mutual participation in aerobic activities such as genetic material sharing would seem to increase muscle tone and reduce stress. There is no doubt that exercise is good for every body.
The other major factor effecting both the obesity and tobacco issue is exposure to the stress of Adverse Childhood Experiences (child abuse and coming from a dysfunctional family), also related to alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy, homelessness, etc. Certainly coming from an intact family with two functional parents is the best environment. But how do we help those who slip though the cracks? Society seems to shift between two extremes depending on the winning political party: tax them and take over their lives, or give them no help at all except prayer. The working poor are praying for a little honest help and tax relief.
As a statistics student, I would like to see how robust the model is; what factors have been considered, and measures of their significance.. But, it certainly sounds good and these folks are part of my favorite "no free lunch" systems approach.
Jay R.
Inas Rashad & Michael Grossman
RESEARCH REPORT - The Economics of Obesity
The Public Interest, Issue #156 (Summer 2004), National Affairs, Inc http://www.thepublicinterest.com/archives/2004summer/article3.html
They acknowledge that much of the recent increase in obesity can be blamed on the "the rapid growth in the per capita number of fast-food restaurants and full-service restaurants" which is fueled by the " ...increases in rates of labor force participation by women." Yes, fast food restaurants sell food that is high in calories. But they are simply responding to a demand by consumers for quick meals as women are working in the high pressure office more and spend less time in the home, tilling fields and preparing diner.
The second largest influence was the reduction in smoking, accounting for 20% of the increase in girth. Tobacco use is well know for use in the Native American peace making activities and as the ultimate herbal remedy for asthma, ADDH, stress reduction and weight control.
So, why sue the tobacco, and now the food industry for responding to the demands of social change? And no, it is not fair to blame women either, who trust me, are not going to be re-donning aprons soon. More mutual participation in aerobic activities such as genetic material sharing would seem to increase muscle tone and reduce stress. There is no doubt that exercise is good for every body.
The other major factor effecting both the obesity and tobacco issue is exposure to the stress of Adverse Childhood Experiences (child abuse and coming from a dysfunctional family), also related to alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy, homelessness, etc. Certainly coming from an intact family with two functional parents is the best environment. But how do we help those who slip though the cracks? Society seems to shift between two extremes depending on the winning political party: tax them and take over their lives, or give them no help at all except prayer. The working poor are praying for a little honest help and tax relief.
As a statistics student, I would like to see how robust the model is; what factors have been considered, and measures of their significance.. But, it certainly sounds good and these folks are part of my favorite "no free lunch" systems approach.
Jay R.
Inas Rashad & Michael Grossman
RESEARCH REPORT - The Economics of Obesity
The Public Interest, Issue #156 (Summer 2004), National Affairs, Inc http://www.thepublicinterest.com/archives/2004summer/article3.html
Friday, July 09, 2004
My rapid response to
Doll et al
Mortality in relation to smoking: 50 years' observations on male British doctors
Jay R. Schrand
Lung Cancer and Physicians:
Where are we at? Where are we going? How are we going to get there?
Br J Med 7 Jul 2004
Doll et al
Mortality in relation to smoking: 50 years' observations on male British doctors
Jay R. Schrand
Lung Cancer and Physicians:
Where are we at? Where are we going? How are we going to get there?
Br J Med 7 Jul 2004
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
FYI - from the Center for Consumer Freedom:
The Campaign To Make Obesity A 'Disease'
Good background information on the Obesity "Epidemic" and who's behind it, and interesting references at the bottom
They could have just taken out the word tobacco and inserted obesity.
And there's an older CCF piece on how the obesity Epidemic is just a follow on to the Anti-tobacco program
CSPI: Food Equals Tobacco
Posted On May 30, 2002
Jay R.
The Campaign To Make Obesity A 'Disease'
Good background information on the Obesity "Epidemic" and who's behind it, and interesting references at the bottom
They could have just taken out the word tobacco and inserted obesity.
And there's an older CCF piece on how the obesity Epidemic is just a follow on to the Anti-tobacco program
CSPI: Food Equals Tobacco
Posted On May 30, 2002
Jay R.
Nice write-up from Britain
Rob Lyons
An epidemic of epidemiology
Spiked Online 25 June 2004
http://www.spiked-online.com/Printable/0000000CA5AB.htm
Rob Lyons
An epidemic of epidemiology
Spiked Online 25 June 2004
http://www.spiked-online.com/Printable/0000000CA5AB.htm
Letter - Veterans' programs pitted against others
By Jay R. Schrand
Ventura County Star June 22, 2004
Re: your June 19 article, "Obese kids have adult diseases, doctors say":
As a systems engineer and independent researcher on health and veterans issues, I was privileged to attend the Oxnard Obesity Summit held Friday at the Residence Inn by Marriott.
Dr. Francine Kaufman, a pediatric physician from Children's Hospital, spoke eloquently of our history as food gatherers and hunters. We no longer spend our time foraging, or being chased, for food. It now comes preprocessed and preserved in the aisles of our grocery store. The results of this convenience and lack of activity are assumed to be an increase in obesity and diabetes.
In the breakout session, I attempted to point out the recent series of studies that found that obesity, as well as tobacco use and a host of other risky behaviors, are strongly linked to the stress of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This is of special concern to the veterans population, which has a high number who were exposed to the stress of ACEs.
In spite of the initial selection and rigorous physical and mental training, those previously exposed to ACEs and now exposed to the deleterious combination of sleep disruption and combat stress during their service end up with a high rate of post-traumatic stress disorder, obesity, tobacco and alcohol use, etc.
However, the tone of the summit was not that of understanding the research, but how can we generate advocacy for programs and, of course, future funding sources.
Some pointed out the success of the anti-smoking program as a model. But the previous lucrative tobacco settlement, ostensibly to combat youth smoking, has long since been diverted to other pork projects because of the struggling economy.
New sources of funding are now needed to combat the obesity crisis. After all, it's for the children.
Well, the veteran population, because of our high rate of tobacco use, already pays an inordinate portion of the higher tobacco taxes, especially the tobacco settlement to reimburse the states for healthcare costs. However, whatever healthcare we get comes from the federal Veterans Affairs.
Now, following the anti-tobacco program, we're going to pay even more in taxes for food to pay for educational programs to tell us that carrots are good, Twinkies are bad. There will be more programs in our schools to teach hate and intolerance against the vulnerable who appear to be different. The obese will be further discriminated against. Just what are we teaching our children?
Those in the military were asked to go into harm's way, to follow even questionable orders without hesitation, but are sometimes the first to be blamed when things go awry. Now, a little worse for wear and, yes, a little pudgier, we'd volunteer again in a heartbeat if we felt our country was under attack.
We veterans love our country and will continue to be a part of that effort long after our service has ended. So, when I got home from this summit, I was surprised to read in The Star that the county's veterans programs are still being pitted against seniors and special programs for scarce dollars. It seems the county can no longer afford the office staff to help with the lengthy legalese for help from the Veterans Affairs. Why is this even an issue?
It is important to consider our own role and the responsibility that we all have for our own well-being as individuals and for the community as a whole. We want all of our children to grow up healthy and strong, to be able to defend our country when necessary.
-- Jay R. Schrand lives in Port Hueneme.
By Jay R. Schrand
Ventura County Star June 22, 2004
Re: your June 19 article, "Obese kids have adult diseases, doctors say":
As a systems engineer and independent researcher on health and veterans issues, I was privileged to attend the Oxnard Obesity Summit held Friday at the Residence Inn by Marriott.
Dr. Francine Kaufman, a pediatric physician from Children's Hospital, spoke eloquently of our history as food gatherers and hunters. We no longer spend our time foraging, or being chased, for food. It now comes preprocessed and preserved in the aisles of our grocery store. The results of this convenience and lack of activity are assumed to be an increase in obesity and diabetes.
In the breakout session, I attempted to point out the recent series of studies that found that obesity, as well as tobacco use and a host of other risky behaviors, are strongly linked to the stress of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This is of special concern to the veterans population, which has a high number who were exposed to the stress of ACEs.
In spite of the initial selection and rigorous physical and mental training, those previously exposed to ACEs and now exposed to the deleterious combination of sleep disruption and combat stress during their service end up with a high rate of post-traumatic stress disorder, obesity, tobacco and alcohol use, etc.
However, the tone of the summit was not that of understanding the research, but how can we generate advocacy for programs and, of course, future funding sources.
Some pointed out the success of the anti-smoking program as a model. But the previous lucrative tobacco settlement, ostensibly to combat youth smoking, has long since been diverted to other pork projects because of the struggling economy.
New sources of funding are now needed to combat the obesity crisis. After all, it's for the children.
Well, the veteran population, because of our high rate of tobacco use, already pays an inordinate portion of the higher tobacco taxes, especially the tobacco settlement to reimburse the states for healthcare costs. However, whatever healthcare we get comes from the federal Veterans Affairs.
Now, following the anti-tobacco program, we're going to pay even more in taxes for food to pay for educational programs to tell us that carrots are good, Twinkies are bad. There will be more programs in our schools to teach hate and intolerance against the vulnerable who appear to be different. The obese will be further discriminated against. Just what are we teaching our children?
Those in the military were asked to go into harm's way, to follow even questionable orders without hesitation, but are sometimes the first to be blamed when things go awry. Now, a little worse for wear and, yes, a little pudgier, we'd volunteer again in a heartbeat if we felt our country was under attack.
We veterans love our country and will continue to be a part of that effort long after our service has ended. So, when I got home from this summit, I was surprised to read in The Star that the county's veterans programs are still being pitted against seniors and special programs for scarce dollars. It seems the county can no longer afford the office staff to help with the lengthy legalese for help from the Veterans Affairs. Why is this even an issue?
It is important to consider our own role and the responsibility that we all have for our own well-being as individuals and for the community as a whole. We want all of our children to grow up healthy and strong, to be able to defend our country when necessary.
-- Jay R. Schrand lives in Port Hueneme.
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Obese nonsmokers may face increased risk of Parkinson's disease
Pac Tribune - Monday April 12, 2004 (0057 PST)
http://paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=61450
Chen H, Zhang SM, Schwarzschild MA, Hernan MA, Willett WC, Ascherio A.
Obesity and the risk of Parkinson's disease.
Am J Epidemiol. 2004 Mar 15;159(6):547-55.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15003958
Pac Tribune - Monday April 12, 2004 (0057 PST)
http://paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=61450
Chen H, Zhang SM, Schwarzschild MA, Hernan MA, Willett WC, Ascherio A.
Obesity and the risk of Parkinson's disease.
Am J Epidemiol. 2004 Mar 15;159(6):547-55.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15003958
