Illness caused by obesity costs the Vermont
health care system 140 million dollars annually. That’s why state
officials say we need a breakthrough in our efforts to reduce the increasing
incidence of obesity. In his State of the State address, Governor Douglas
proposed increasing the money and staff devoted to dealing with the
problem. We’ll talk about what that would mean and what communities and
schools are doing – and we’ll take your calls.
Then, a UVM physics professor is the scientific advisor for a
NOVA television series on Absolute Zero.
We talk with Professor Dennis Clougherty about his research on what
happens near real zero, as in minus 459.67 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale.
And, we continue our town postcard series with a stop in
Pawlet.
Emails from listeners–
Kate from Burlington:
On the issue of obesity in Vermont, I wonder if there is anything the
government can do to hold the Food Industry responsible. Our grocery stores
are stocked with processed food made from the cheapest ingredients and filled with all kinds of chemical additives. Instead of blaming the thrifty consumer for buying this stuff, let’s trace this problem back to the huge companies that profit from selling this junk. Let’s look to the FDA and assess the process which determines what can be sold as "food" in this country. Much of what I find in the grocery store I would not even feed my dog, nevermind my child. Since your guests were drawing parallels between obesity and smoking, I also would like to see similar efforts to hold tobacco companies resposible for the health problems they cause in our society.
Patty from St. Johnsbury:
How about two periods of physical activity each day in the schools? A "recess period" was popular when I attended primary grades many years ago. For fifteen minutes in the morning and in the afternoon we kids rushed out into the playground to swing, climb on monkey bars or even had a few runs of baseball before we came back totally envigorated to deal with the academic studies some of us found tedious. Of course, getting rid of junk food in the cafeteria would be a start. Perhaps
that is already being done.
Sue from Mendon:
I am not familiar with what the schools are doing today but it seems to me
MANDATORY physical exercise should be required on a DAILY basis in all schools. Many experts tell us that as little as 20 minutes a day can have a huge positive impact. This should not be an alternative or substitute for phys. ed, classes, but a part of the curriculum like reading is.
Daily required exercise not only becomes a lifetime habit, but it can help kids
"endure" their day at school with more energy and vigor.
Kara from Montpelier:
Some of the challenges school lunch programs face is the need to operate as a business and make a profit and the need to follow the federal guidelines for calories (which originate in an assumption that children will only eat at school) in order to receive federal funds.