A Sugary Debate - 1096 Words

In 2004, at the age of 49, my uncle was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes, or late onset diabetes. He had been an unhealthy eater much of his life. At the time of his diagnosis, he weighed two-hundred forty-seven pounds. That may not sound like a lot, but at five-foot two-inches tall, he was ninety pounds heavier than average male of his height should be. Although, possible in the future, he was spared from daily injections of insulin. However, his battle with a new enemy was only beginning. In lecturing him on better eating habits, his doctor indirectly blamed sugary foods such as soda for his weight and overall health. Not knowing any better, my uncle took what he was told as grave warning. For the first time, he was forced to change what†¦show more content†¦The AHA believes people â€Å"now consume twenty-two to thirty teaspoons a day.† They equate that to three-hundred to four hundred seventy-five extra calories a day. Additionally, sugar-sweetened beverages may pro mote diabetes (Liebman). A study by the Journal of American Medicine backs up the American Medical Association’s results. The JAMA found that a â€Å"higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with a greater magnitude of weight gain and an increased risk for development of Type-2 diabetes in women.† The problem with the study is that they only examined soda’s effect on women. That is hardly enough to come to an appropriate conclusion (Schulze). Still, is sugar alone responsible for his diabetes? According to the Food and Drug Administration, the answer is no. In 1988, they concluded that sugar alone â€Å"does not cause diabetes, heart diseases, hypoglycemia, childhood hyperactivity, or nutrient deficiencies.† The American Dietetic Association would echo in 1993 and again in 1998 that same sentiment. They stated that they recognized the FDA’s conclusion concerning the â€Å"appropriate role of sugars in the diet when consumed in moderation.† In 1997, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization added their beliefs that there is no direct cause between sugar and diseases such as diabetes. They stated, â€Å"[t]here is no evidence of direct involvement of sucrose,Show MoreRelatedSugary Beverages and Junk Foods are Causing Obesity in Mexico775 Words   |  4 Pages According to Agricultural Organization and UN Food, Mexico’s adult obesity rates are above that of the Uni ted States, with an obesity rate of 32.8% compared to the 31.8%. Junk food and sugary drinks have caused these rate to rise, which makes them negative externalities of consumption, which the private benefits to consumers of a good are greater than the social benefits of its consumption, in other words the good creates spillover costs on a third party. 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