How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and HealthWritten by Joey Dweck
Marion Nestle Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition and Food Studies, and Public Health, New York University Author, Food Politics: How Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health (2002) Safe Food: Bacteria, Biotechnology and Bioterrorism (2003), both from University of California PressWhen was last time you consumed soda? Most likely, it wasn’t that long ago. You may even drink several cans or bottles each day. In U.S, carbonated soft drinks are a huge business. Every year, they generate more than $50 billion in annual sales. Two companies – Coca-Cola and PepsiCo -- dominate soda market. They are in a constant battle for market share of product – a conflict known as “Cola War.” Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent annually for advertising. Not surprisingly, companies are always looking for new markets. And, increasingly, they are directing their attention to adolescents and children. For decades, schools have allowed soda to be sold in on-site vending machines. So, generating income for schools from sale of soda is not a new policy. However, in early 1990s, pouring-rights contracts emerged. These put a different spin on sale of soda in schools. And, over years, they have increasingly gained in popularity. In return for exclusive sale of one-company’s product, pouring-rights contracts give school districts large lump-sum payments and extra payments and/or gifts over a period of five or 10 years. The contracts provide additional incentives for consumption levels that surpass quotas. So, they tend to encourage consumption of higher amounts of soda, even by youngest students. In one of most extravagant contracts, a 53-school district in Colorado, gave up its Pepsi vending machines and signed an $8 million, 10 year agreement with Coca-Cola that included cash bonuses when sale targets were exceeded and a new car for a senior with high grades and perfect attendance. But, even smaller contracts tend to be generous. The goal is to create brand loyalty among young people – a loyalty that could continue throughout their lives. Without a doubt, administrators in cash-strapped school districts have a litany of reasons to be enticed. But, adherence to contracts may be taken to extremes. For example, a Georgia student was suspended when he wore a shirt with a Pepsi logo to a student government-sponsored “Coke Day” rally.
| | Country Living... Help For Attention Deficit Disorder? Written by Ron Rougeaux
Country Living... Help For Attention Deficit Disorder? Scientists don't understand why Attention Deficit Disorder is increasing so quickly. (News) Scientists don't understand why Attention Deficit Disorder is increasing so quickly. One reason may be that more and more people are living in congested, overcrowded situations. A hundred years ago when most of us lived on farms or in small towns with a lot of rural space around us...ADD ADHD wasn't even recognized by medical community. However, there may be something to constant stimulation of modern life. With its quick pace and technology...like... automobiles, microwaves, cell phones and computers, these devices can over-stimulate and stress out those who suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder. Some scientists actually believe living in crowded cities causes changes to human brain...and ADD ADHD is result of those changes. In any event, scientists DO know that there are more instances of Attention Deficit Disorder among people who live in overcrowded apartment buildings with no access to wide green areas or natural surroundings.
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