Maggie's Farm

I hope RFK Jr cleans up a lot of the mess in our nations health care bureaucracy. I also hope he manages to keep his personal biases out of it. But we don't need a food czar. In fact almost everything that is said or written about food and additives and toxic and "healthy" food is simply inaccurate. We need to return to questioning science and an active participation in the process by all players and an end to the media or groups editing or suppressing information. Openness and honesty is necessary or people won't trust "the science".

Obesity is a problem. But it is characterized inaccurately and this inaccuracy is used to further personal agenda's. Obesity, not simply being overweight, is mostly genetic. The single biggest reason for the increase in obesity in America is the constant immigration from countries where obesity is genetic, like Central and South America and sub-Saharan Africa. You absolutely cannot fix that problem by banning certain food groups for everyone. Obesity is an individual problem that requires that the obese individual treats his/her health issue. It is NOT a national problem.

Overweight is different. Most of us, without regard to our genetic background, can easily become obese by eating too much and/or not getting enough exercise. And that problem becomes worse with age for a number of reasons. The solution is simple, but not necessarily easy: First always be aware of your weight and don't allow yourself to gain weight above your ideal weight. Weigh yourself everyday and act accordingly. Secondly, if you are overweight begin a program to lose the weight and stick to it. Once you are at your ideal weight check it everyday and take steps to correct any weight gain. It is a life long effort that is harder for some people and easier for others.