So I thought I would write a blog about the often heard statement that my child's generation is thought to be the first to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. The reason being that rates of childhood obesity, autism, and other chronic diseases are at all time highs. So doing some research I came across the website for the Center for Consumer Freedom who have created a book regarding the "obesity myths." Among them are that "65 Percent of Americans Are Overweight or Obese," "Obesity Will Shorten Life Expectancy," "You Can't Be Overweight and Healthy," and "Soda Causes Childhood Obesity" amongst others.
I just had to stop and spend an hour researching this "Consumer" group. Turns out they are a PR firm representing Big Tobacco, alcohol, and the fast food industry. They speak out against Mothers Against Drunk Driving, PETA, teachers unions, and although I have not confirmed it there are rumors they are even against the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.
Rick Berman is the man behind this fraud. His own son has called him "a despicable man. My father is a sort of human molestor. An exploiter. A scoundrel. He props up fast food/soda/factory farming/childhood obesity and diabetes/drunk driving/secondhand smoke. He attacks animal lovers, ecologists, civil action attorneys, scientists, dietitians, doctors, teachers." WOW!!! Pretty harsh but the more I looked into it the more I understood why.
While many of these products and industries that the Center for Consumer Freedom represent have been proven to cause sickness and disease, they maintain that it is our right as consumers to have access to these products. While it may be our right to choose, it is another thing to trick people into believing the products are safe, especially when it comes to children.
So the next time someone tells you that high fructose corn syrup is good for you, soda isn't harmful, eating fatty foods won't cause obesity or any other nonsensical statement, check to see who's behind it because it's probably this man.
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