Meat, Dairy Products Cause Obesity in Kids

[Guest guest]

Published Thursday, December 29, 2005

Meat, Dairy Products Cause Obesity in Kids

The National Institute of Medicine has called on food and beverage

manufacturers and retailers to make and market to children products

that are lower in calories, fat and sugar, and higher in nutrients.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture, 90 percent of children

consume excessive amounts of fat and only 15 percent eat the minimum

daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. It's no wonder

that most children are overweight and one in six are obese. Obesity

is a precursor for heart disease, stroke, cancer, adult-onset

diabetes, as well as bone and joint problems. Early dietary flaws

become lifelong addictions.

Food advertising to children is not the sole culprit. The national

school lunch fare is made up largely of USDA's surplus meat, milk

and cheese commodities, with excess protein, saturated fats and

cholesterol. A Harvard University study of 12,000 children found

that those consuming more than three servings of milk each day were

35 percent more likely to become overweight than those who drank one

or two.

Childhood obesity is the No. 1 threat to the national public health,

infinitely greater than any terrorist attack. Yet it draws little

attention from regulatory agencies, Congress and the media.

Parents and others who care about this critical issue should insist

that children consume more whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and

fresh fruits. They should work with their PTAs in demanding healthy

meals, snacks, and vending machine items in schools. They should

register their displeasure with purveyors and advertisers of junk

foods.

HERBERT DREXLER

Haines City

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