We are in the midst of a ravaging epidemic. Obesity among American adults has doubled since 1980,while overweight among adolescents has tripled. In 1999, an estimated 61 percent of U.S. adults were overweight, along with 13 percent of children and adolescents. According to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, studies show that obese and overweight people are more susceptible to illnesses of very kind. An obese individual has a 50 to 100 percent increased risk of early death compared to people of normal weight, and the total direct and indirect costs attributed to overweight and obesity amounted to $117 billion in the year 2000.

Recently, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher issued a report calling on families, schools and employers to work together to help people eat healthier food and get the exercise they need to lose weight. A recent National Institutes of Health study showed a simple loss of 15 lbs would reduce the incidence of diabetes by 58 percent. When I point out to some of my colleagues that lifestyle changes are the key to preventing and reversing diseases such as diabetes, many shrug their shoulders and complain that such changes are difficult to implement. It is easier to write a prescription for a drug.

Although the Surgeon General’s report and recommendations received sharp criticism from the Sugar Association among others, his emphasis on improving diet and exercise habits is on the mark. Affecting lifestyle changes is challenging, which is why convenience is a critical factor. At PurFoods, we are deeply committed to doing our part in providing you with a healthy and convenient diet and great food. Your responsibility is to eat the food.