Obesity Solutions, AI Nutrition Trackers, and More
Public Health Without Politics offers health tips, policy insights, and strategies to combat America's chronic disease crisis.
Read time: 4 minutes
Obesity Rates Drop: What’s Behind the Change?
Obesity Down? Rates dropped for the first time in a decade. Experts say Ozempic may be why.
Regardless, obesity is still a massive problem for America. So, what’s the solution? RFK Jr. thinks it’s lifestyle choices. Elon Musk thinks it’s Ozempic. Both are good hypothesis, but we need evidence-based research to determine the answer.
The FDA warned four companies for selling unapproved weight-loss drugs.
GLP inhibitors may help with other chronic diseases. The Financial Times explores their potential in treating conditions like alcohol addiction and Alzheimer's.
Not Helpful: San Francisco's Department of Public Health has hired a fat-positivity advocate…
Practical Tips to Combat Chronic Disease
Eat
Be mindful of portion sizes. Insider Food has an excellent video that shows you the portion sizes of America vs. the UK. As one funny comment puts it:
UK: “..and this is the large”
US: "Hold my 1.5 gallon Diet Coke”
Portions in America are too large. A simple trick is to cut your usual portion in half—this can help curb overeating and promote healthier habits.
Move
Movement is medicine. Cold near you? Try these winter workout tips.
Sleep
It can worsen over the holidays. Here are ways you can get better sleep over the next two weeks.
Relax
Mental health is critical for overall well-being, but stress can spike this time of year. Meditation can help.
Spotlight on Health Policy: The Ultra-Processed Food Debate
“UltraProcessed” Foods: Marie Latulippe at the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences rightly notes that more scientific research is needed to fully understand the effects of ultra-processed foods on health. The lack of a clear, agreed-upon definition for "ultra-processed foods" makes it harder to draw consistent, reliable research conclusions on the implications of eating these types of food. We need to get on the same page before moving forward with any policies regarding these foods.
Blame Game: Congress recently held a hearing on the FDA's efforts to address diabetes and obesity, focusing on the need for stronger food regulations and restrictions on junk food ads aimed at children. These are nutrition issues and FDA, and the federal government in general, have not been successful trying to educate and inform consumers with food labels, MyPlate, and the Dietary Guidelines. Maybe it’s time to try something different….
My (Short) Take on RFK Jr.’s Health Policy Reforms: RFK Jr. was on the Hill this week meeting with lawmakers ahead of his confirmation hearing in January. While I support his push to shake up the public health system, particularly within agencies like the FDA, I remain cautious about some of his past views. His approach could bring necessary reforms, but certain stances he’s taken in the past leave me with reservations about his broader approach to health policy. One thing though, his potential boss used to be on the show The Apprentice and his catch phrase was, “You’re Fired!” If he takes on radical views that don’t succeed….
Innovation Spotlight: The AI-Powered Nutrition Tracker
The Drop is a fully automated wearable nutrition tracker that uses AI to monitor food intake in real-time, providing users with accurate nutritional data. Here’s a video that explains how it works.
As I noted in Fixing Food—it’s innovations like these that will revolutionize the health space, not anything from FDA or the government. This is one of those different things that may change the course of obesity and chronic diseases.
Book of the Week: Blind Spots
In Blind Spots, Dr. Marty Makary explores how groupthink in medicine—such as overprescribing antibiotics, denying opioid addiction, and misjudging fats and peanuts—can harm patients, noting that doctors who challenge prevailing ideas are often scorned. It’s a timely read given Dr. Makary’s nomination to lead FDA.
Inspirational Quote
"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live."— Jim Rohn
Have a great week,
—Richard