Order UP!

<span style="font-size: large;">....because we do not get enough calories or convenience in our every day lives.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   A researcher in NC compared the average amount of calories per meal (from a pizza joint) between people who ordered in person at the restaurant and those who placed their orders on line. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I have not read his study, but it is on the list.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   The result of his study was that the meals ordered on line had more calories on average than the ones ordered in person.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The researcher, Dr. Ryan McDevitt, collected information on over 150,000 pizza orders from one restaurant during 4 years.  He found that ordering on line led to more expensive meals with more calories.  I do not know how many more calories or how real the difference was, but I do have a counter point to his idea of WHY this might be happening.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   In a WSJ article, he was reported as saying that people ordering on line might be less likely to feel social pressure to curtail their calories.  Instead they would be less restrained or inhibited.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">My comment to him - and I did email him - </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">"What?!? Pressure to eat LESS - in the SOUTH?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I think that the pizza coupons, TV ads, in store promotions and your friends telling you  "everything in moderation" (which is code for go ahead and eat it) pressures us all to eat more - right out in the open.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   My thoughts on his results?  Glad you asked.  People ordering on line have more TIME to find things to add to their pizza.  I do need to read the study because I do not know if there is a difference in side items ordered, or if he even looked at that.  Imagine all the calories in those dessert breads and stuffed bread sticks and dips and such.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   Seriously, I do see his point.  Some of us do not want to over indulge in front of our friends or family.  Which makes me think that <i>to go</i> orders would be higher in calories than orders eaten on site... esp. if you can order on line and have it delivered to you... because hey, why waste calories going to get it!  </span>

Order UP!

....because we do not get enough calories or convenience in our every day lives.    A researcher in NC compared the average amount of calori...

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Farm Bill 2012

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The US Farm Bills are often discussed in regards to the subsidies they offer to certain industries or for certain crops.  There is an indirect association between the farm bill subsidies and obesity.  For example, corn is subsidized and used for corn syrups.  High fructose corn syrup sweetens snack products.  We can over consume calories when we eat snacks that are high in sugar.  We eat more of these foods because the foods are cheap and mass produced.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The 2012 version of the Farm Bill is being discussed in a Webinar tomorrow.  I cannot attend as I will be in class.  I understand that the Webinar will be taped and made available via the Harvard School of Public Health's website.  They are the sponsors of the seminar and the paragraph below is taken from their website:</span></span><br /><blockquote style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In election year 2012, the U.S. Congress will be considering a new Farm Bill, the government's primary means of setting food and agriculture policy. The current Farm Bill has been criticized by public health experts for subsidizing crops used in ingredients—such as high-fructose corn syrup—in unhealthy foods. At the same time, the bill helps fund food assistance programs in the U.S., making food—healthy or otherwise—more affordable for many Americans. Amid calls for federal budget cuts, this Forum webcast will focus on the implications for feeding the nation when politics, economics and nutrition collide. </span></blockquote><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can <a href="http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/forum/">visit the website</a> yourself for the live or recorded seminar and also to learn more about the issue.</span></span>

Farm Bill 2012

The US Farm Bills are often discussed in regards to the subsidies they offer to certain industries or for certain crops.  There is an indire...

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