The UK government is considering a 10% tax on soft drinks. They state that we all know that it is sugary drinks and saturated fat that is the cause of the obesity epidemic. And of course that we eat too many calories. Link here.
Another case of good intentions messed up by total stupidity and the avoidance of looking at the truth..
Yes soft drinks are terrible. Yes they do cause obesity. But so then is juice and milk. A 7 ounce shot of all three carry the same load of sugar. Skim milk is the largest contributor to the sugar load for kids today. But juice and milk are seen as being healthy alternatives. Simply not true and anyone who does a little research can see this.
Saturated fats do not make us fat nor do they cause heart disease. We get fat by having elevated blood sugar. The most simple research will remind anyone that this is true. It is since we bought the fat makes us fat idea that the obesity epidemic took off.
Finally simply put more calories do not make us fat. It depends on what kind of calories. Back to blood sugar again.
All governments are going to have to get behind helping us be more healthy and what we eat is the most leveraged part of this. So they are going to have to do their homework. For if they force the wrong action, they will get worse results and not be given a second chance.
Why should this matter on PEI? The new health deal is why. The Feds will pay for 6% increases until 2017. Then the provinces will get paid at a function of GPD. PEI's health care costs are already climbing at 11% so we are behind right now. What might the economy be like in 2017? I bet we will be lucky to have 3% growth. If we are unlucky 1% or less. We are going to be in big trouble.
We will have no choice but to start preventing illness. So we have the one chance - we have to get the science right.
