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The Hungry Gene (November 15, 2002, Two)

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Program Summary

Thin is in. Americans are obsessed with weight—losing it, that is. The diet industry makes billions of dollars annually; drugs companies search for the magic pill that will melt pounds off without effort. But the incidence of obesity in this country is growing, not declining, especially in children. Recent data show that one in six American children (15%) are overweight, and accompanying the rise in child obesity is the increase in the incidence of Type II diabetes in children, a disease generally considered to be an adult condition.

Who or what is responsible for this alarming trend? The answer is far from simple, but now we can blame it on our ancestors! The latest research has discovered an obesity gene in mice, which could explain why, given the same diet and lifestyle, some people become fat and others never do. But a genetic propensity would not pertain to every obese person, so what else could be causing it? Inactivity and poor eating habits often caused by lack of education or socio-economic status, hours spent in front of the TV or the Internet, even the food industry itself, which is notorious for marketing sugar-filled, non-nutritious snack foods to kids and urging consumers to “supersize” their fast-food meals.

Guests

Ellen Ruppel Shell, co-director, Knight Center for Science and Medical Journalism, Boston University

Jeffrey Flier, M.D., chief academic officer, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston.

George Reisman, professor of medicine, Harvard University, Boston.

Robert Murray, M.D., director, Center for Nutrition and Wellness, Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.

Related Links and Resources

Ellen Ruppel Shell, The Hungry Gene: The Science of Fat and the Future of Thin (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2002), Boston, Massachusetts

CBSNews.com, February 4, 2002: “Fat Babies Face Health Problems”

New York Times, April 16, 2002: “Asking If Obesity Is a Disease or Just a Symptom”

San Francisco Chronicle, October 9, 2002: “Obese Americans Not Admitting It”

San Francisco Chronicle, August 8, 2002: “Hormone May Help Tackle Urge to Overeat”

Centers for Disease Control: “Overweight and Obesity”

iVillage.com, October 21, 2002: Prevention Key to Fighting Obesity in U.S. Kids

American Obesity Association

International Obesity Task Force

For Discussion:

• Genes determine our eye color, hair texture, and many other characteristics. Now it’s possible that genes cause obesity. Do you think genetics can be overcome, or are we stuck with what we get?
• Some people feel that obesity is not a medical condition at all, that it is caused by a simple lack of willpower. What’s your opinion?
• An obese man has filed a lawsuit against several fast-food restaurants, claiming that he didn’t know that their food would make him fat and that their advertising encouraged him to eat it. Do you think he’s justified, or is he just looking for someone to blame?
• Several years ago the drug combination phen/fen was widely prescribed to help people lose weight. It worked, but it was found to cause heart damage in many patients. Do you think drug companies should continue to look for a pill that takes off weight?
• What can we do as individuals to prevent obesity?

Activities

The Un(healthy) Cola. The link between child obesity and Type II diabetes is well-summarized in Obesity Among Children. The author also details how schools and parents contribute to the problem and what they can do to alleviate it. Sickly Sweets: Diabetes Threatens Sugar-Addicted Teens points out that many schools are guilty because they allow snack and soda machines on campus as a fund-raising gimmick, making it difficult for teens to resist eating unhealthy foods. Invite a nutritionist to talk to the class about the dangers of diabetes and being overweight. A diabetic student may also be willing to do a presentation on diabetes and how it is controlled.

I’m not fat, I’m just big-boned!Students can test their knowledge of obesity by taking the Obesity Quiz.

You are what you eat. The food industry has been accused of contributing to child obesity by placing profit before health. Have students watch a few hours of Saturday morning television and track the food ads. Have them record the number of ads and types of food being advertised, then accompany their parents to the supermarket and look up the nutritional statistics on those foods. They can visit fast-food restaurants and ask for nutrition charts (Burger King displays them in every outlet).

Mind over matter. Try a two-week experiment in willpower. Week one: Students keep a journal of everything they eat, recording calories, fat grams, fiber grams, protein, sugar, carbohydrates, etc. Honesty counts! Compare the results to an ideal diet that follows the food-group guidelines to see what improvements can be made. Week two: Students cut non-nutritious foods from their diets, replacing them with healthy foods. Again, honesty counts! Lead a discussion about the difficulties of resisting favorite foods and media bombardment.

Slug or slugger. Physical activity is essential for maintaining a healthy body. Aside from organized team sports, does your school have a physical education program? Is it as effective as it could be? Have students keep records of their physical activity for one week to see if they are exercising adequately or if they need to increase it. Students can find out by consulting the calorie chart How Many Calories Am I Burning When I Exercise?, which lists common sports and activities. Just for fun, visit The Guide to Calorie-Burning Activities to see how many calories dragging your feet, swallowing your pride, and climbing the walls can burn.

Use the search box below to perform a Google search within any of the specifc sites or general domains mentioned in this Activities section.

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