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Obesity Goes Where the Money Goes

By On · Add Comment · In Asia, chronic diseases, economics, fast-food, India, junk food, obesity epidemic, prosperity, wealth

I wanted to address something I touched on last post–obesity as a condition of prosperity.  The obesity epidemic that we are witnessing today in western society is only possible in an environment of abundance.  I am not talking individual wealth here, but prosperity of nations; and American obesity statistics, and pretty much that of the rest of the world, support this claim.  Obesity is rampant in North America and Europe, with Japan and South Korea having the highest rates in the east.

But wait, what about the rising powers of China and India?  They are experiencing rapid economic growth, but have they an obesity epidemic?  According to a recent report, extreme fatness is making its way to India.  As India’s economy grows, the middle class increases as well, and western fast food companies are smelling opportunity like they haven’t since, well, 1950s America.

And which demographic do you suppose the fast-food industry is targeting?…You got it–youngsters.  Let’s go to the Hop… Reports disclose that one in three children in private schools in New Delhi are obese compared with one in ten in government schools.


“Obesity is emerging in India which has serious implications for metabolic health in the future,” says researcher Seema Gulati. “Schoolchildren are attracted to the way it (junk food) is advertised,” she said. “They feel it is something that is high status. They want to try it out.”

Exactly…convenience, good taste, high status, western, bourgeois, you know…you’ve been there America, but now look atcha: 30% obesity in most states.  That’s not overweight…that’s obese…and it’s crazy.  And I’m certain the trend will continue in the East, as Asian countries get more powerful.

Brazil is there already, and India is on its way…China anyone?  We’ll see.  A major 2010 study called “The Rise of Asia’s Middle Class” by the Asian Development Bank warned that in the next 20-30 years Asia will be faced with “an increasing number of chronic diseases on a scale previously unseen”.

Obesity is a natural consequence of prosperity.  As money flows, so does the drive for convenience, and nothing more convenient than ready-made food for the go.  Wealth comes from work–lots of it–and this means limited time.  We Americans know that lifestyle all too well–the burning candles, chasing sensory stimuli and seeking greater and greater conveniences–and how it can lead to greater excesses.  Ultimately these excesses cause problems, like rising chronic diseases and epidemics of addiction: food, drugs, sex, and so on.

Hey I’m not knocking any of it…just pointing out the truths of the bigger picture.  We can waste time looking for new and novel causes of obesity–heck, lots of money to be made there–but if we really wish to make a dent in the obesity numbers, then understanding how the condition arises and develops over time is a hell of a lot more useful than trying to create new fantasies about genes and hormones, especially as we see it unfolding in other cultures mirroring our own.  Let’s put two and two together, find real solutions to help those that truly want them, and then maybe we might even pave the way for others to understand and resolve their own issues.  But it won’t happen anytime soon if we continue to foolishly blame outside forces when the problem is completely man-made.

ADHD Industry Staying Relevant & Sustainable (Part 1)

By On · Add Comment · In ADHD, economics, epidemic, medical industry, vaccinations

Wanna see how economics fuels the growth and sustenance of a medical industry niche?  Check it: A new government survey reports that children diagnosed with ADHD has increased significantly over the last decade.  You don’t say?  Yes, I do.  Does this mean that more children are being born with ADHD every year?  Or maybe environmental conditions are increasing the risk?  I’ve heard those childhood vaccinations are pretty bad, but… Anybody who reads this blog knows my impression of the ADHD industry.  I mean, I dedicated the entire month of December 2010 to this non-condition, this normal variant.  So what gives on the rapid increase?

To get a clearer picture, it might be best to start with an analogy, let’s say the auto-mechanics industry (easy choice for me, but could choose any industry, including chiropractic).  So, let’s say auto manufacturers become so good at their craft that the amount of cars needing repair decreases dramatically.  This would present quite the conundrum to the auto-mechanics of the world, considering their livelihood is dependent on fixing cars.

So let’s say, despite the decrease in repair needs, people still need to get their oil changed, so reasonably they go to a garage to have the service performed.  While under the hood, the astute mechanic notices a leak in the transmission and fluid leaking throughout (not too hard to plant oil with a spray canister and some used motor oil).  Uh oh…looks like you need some work done.  In fact, leaking transmissions seem to be on the rise–not surprising as many, if not most mechanics, would need to play along if their family is to eat this week.

Okay, you take it to the dealer for a second opinion.  Well their mechanics need to feed their families too, so guess what?  You got it–leaky transmission syndrome (LTS).  In fact, it has become epidemic.  You see, global warming has increased temperatures to such a degree that motor oil now gets heated to even higher temperatures, plus the fuel coming over from the middle east is now of such poor quality, that it tends to open portions of the transmission allowing leaks.  And there is nothing that can be done about it, except take it in to garages, have the transmission rebuilt and sealed with a special sealer that needs to be re-applied every six month, and…you get the point.

You see, no industry is going to make itself obsolete.  None.  Which shouldn’t be disheartening, because commerce is what makes the world go ’round.  We do all have to eat.

But my problem with this happening in medical care is that we are not talking about something as replaceable as a car.  We are talking peoples’ bodies, their health.  Believe me when I say this is happening in the ADHD industry today.  You can read or re-read my posts from last December to get some background on this complete sham of a disorder.  Then check in for the next post where I’ll discuss the latest info confirming to me how the ADHD industry is keeping itself relevant and sustainable.

The Downfall of Science

By On · Add Comment · In Big Tobacco, cancer, economics, JAMA, lung scans, National Cancer Institute (NCI), research, science, smokers, tobacco

Well, I never thought I’d say this, but, science is becoming a sham. Yup, you heard me right: the “study of truth” is becoming an oxymoron. Hard to swallow since it’s the world in which I’ve been trained, as well as the world that I love.

Sad but true. Science, like most things that are marketable, is becoming controlled by economics. And whenever money is involved, big money that is, corruption inevitably follows. I’ve already reported in an earlier post of the practice of selective publishing by the antidepressant pharmaceutical industry, but check out the latest scandal: A recent report has disclosed hidden financing from the tobacco industry in a study that showed lung scans to help save smokers from cancer. Yikes! According to the report, this finding, “has shocked the research community and raised fresh concern about industry influence in important science.”

Although researchers insist that the funding from the parent company of a big tobacco firm had “no control or influence over the research”, most experts agree that public trust is compromised when hidden research money has industry ties. No kidding. It may be true that the tobacco company had no influence or control over the results, but when a group is at least partially responsible for researchers paychecks, it might be just a little tempting to make results look favorable, both for extending the study (means longer pay period) and for future funding (security). Further, money paid to researchers by tobacco companies often lead to their testimonies against screening in class action lawsuits which favor the tobacco companies. According to Dr. John Niederhuber, director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), scientists must maintain the trust of patients in research studies, and “any breach of that trust is not simply disappointing but, I believe, unacceptable.”

The original study, published in the medical journal JAMA, was also partially financed by the National Cancer Institute. Both groups spoke out against the financial relationship between the study and the tobacco company. According to NCI chief medical officer, Dr. Otis Brawley, the society would not have contributed to the study if it knew “Big Tobacco” was co-funding the work. And Dr. Catherine DeAngelis, editor in chief of JAMA, stated that she would not have published the paper had she known of the relationship.

Well, as I stated at the beginning, science backed by big business has a vested interest to veer from the truth. Whether or not CT lung scans actually save lives is not the point here. It’s that if we are to learn the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, in matters of the universe, it’s much better to secure financing from institutions that have no vested interest in the outcomes. Unfortunately, that’s just not the world we live in.

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