public health

The Politics of Nutrition Science

Have you heard? The GOP is declaring war on science again. In February, a government-appointed nutrition advisory panel said Americans should eat less sugar and red meat. It also suggested that environmental considerations should factor into a healthy diet, which livestock producers understood as an attack on their industry. Republicans in Congress think the guideline process is out of control and are now trying to rein in the panel. By their lights, nutrition scientists should concern themselves with nutrition — not sustainability. Critics say they're pandering to special interests.

Study Pokes Hole in Government Theory on Food Deserts

Liberals think the root cause of obesity is the environment and societal structures.

Health Tip: The Next Time Government Gives You Dietary Advice, Do the Opposite

In "Sleeper," Woody Allen plays Miles Monroe, a cryogenically frozen owner of a Greenwich Village health food store who, when defrosted in the year 2173, finds himself in an authoritarian state filled with giant vegetables, android butlers and Diane Keaton. When an unnerved Miles is first unfrozen, Space Age doctors try to calm him down: Doctor: "He's ranting. We'd better tranquilize him." Miles: "I knew it was too good to be true. I parked right near the hospital." Doctor: "Now here, you smoke this, and be sure you get the smoke deep down into your lungs."

Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' May Encourage Weight Gain

Nanny state, meet human nature.

A Leftist Proposes to Regulate Hamburgers