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Poverty and obesity: the role of energy density and energy costs

2009-11-07T13:19:00.000-08:00

This morning, I was transfixed as I happened upon a PBS program of the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine featuring Professor Adam Drewnowski who spoke about the corollary of obesity and social and economic inequality.

"Obesity and type 2 diabetes follow a socioeconomic gradient. Highest rates are observed among groups with the lowest levels of education and income and in the most deprived areas. Inequitable access to healthy foods is one mechanism by which socioeconomic factors influence the diet and health of a population. As incomes drop, energy-dense foods that are nutrient poor become the best way to provide daily calories at an affordable cost. By contrast, nutrient-rich foods and high-quality diets not only cost more but are consumed by more affluent groups. This article discusses obesity as an economic phenomenon. Obesity is the toxic consequence of economic insecurity and a failing economic environment."
--Nutr Rev. 2009 May;67 Suppl 1:S36-9. Obesity, diets, and social inequalities. Adam Drewnowski, Center for Public Health Nutrition at the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-3410, USA. adamdrew@u.washington.edu

Dr. Drewnowski made the case of addressing the issues of obesity and its corollary to social and economic inequality on both a local community health basis and a national policy level. He mentioned American Indians/Alaska Natives as having some of the highest obesity rates. Long before Dr. Drewnowski and others began collecting data, many of we in Indian Country have spoken to the poverty diet. It is gratifying to learn of Dr. Drewnowski's research and findings.

This post links to his 2004 report that "Poverty and obesity: the role of energy density and energy costs." The report received international attention and acclaim.

President Obama signs memo on tribal consultation

2009-11-07T12:43:00.000-08:00

President Obama signs memo directing all federal agencies to submit a "detailed" tribal consultation plan in the next 90 days. A progress report will be due in 270. Importantly, he also directs the OMB to submit a report on the implementation of the tribal consultation policies by the agencies. The report is due in one y...ear. This latter point is critical as "implementation" has long been the missing piece in federal Indian policy.

Project Censored Top 25 Unreported Stories of 2009: FWW and Global Water Justice Movement Make the Cut!

2009-10-13T19:34:00.001-07:00

Project Censored Top 25 Unreported Stories of 2009: FWW and Global Water Justice Movement Make the Cut!

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"This is What Democracy Looks Like . . . This is What Resistance Looks Like . . . Power to the People"

2009-05-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

During 11 days in November 2007, people took to the streets in resistance to use of our streets and port as tools of militarism to advance an illegal and immoral war and continued occupation of the sovereign nation of Iraq.

One of the most powerful actions was the courageous Women's Caucus, which blocked Strykers in resistance to the militarization of our port and city streets and in solidarity with the women of Iraq, Palestine, and women around the world who are victimized by war and injustice.

At the end of nearly two weeks of resistance and unbelievable police brutality, the people gathered for a march and rally through the streets of Olympia ending at the Port of Olympia. There was not a riot cop in sight. People traveled from Portland, the Olympic Peninsula, Seattle, Bellingham and beyond to support the resistance and to add their voices to the cry for an end to war and occupation.

Documentarian, Ned McGinley, filmed and edited a powerful video, which can be viewed here:
http://current.com/items/88812811_we-are-the-community.htm

This is what democracy looks like.

Change I "CANNOT" Believe In!

2009-05-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

President Obama said "I'm ASKING YOU TO BELIEVE. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington . . . I'm asking you to believe in yours." He was so convincing. I did believe, both in him and in myself. Of course, the latter I already possessed. And a good thing, too, since I now realize that any belief I had in the man I supported for President would soon be crushed.

This is a dark post, I know. Yet, my despair at losing "hope" over the "change I can believe in," and did, is so over-whelming that I feel compelled to say so.

First, the President's sudden 180 on releasing the torture photos was shocking. But more shocking were the radical claims to new powers for his presidency espoused while speaking to us in front of the Constitution. In his speech he spoke about the Rule of Law while then proclaiming his plans to "develop an appropriate legal regime" for indefinite detention! Our President just told us, in his usual palatable, charming, and inspirational oratory that he intends to break the law and to make new law. He justified preventive incarceration and has a plan! And few noticed 'cause the way in which he told us was just so nice.

I am devastated. Nothing has changed, really, just the faces. We're still heading towards totalitarianism. And the Cheney sideshow that immediately followed the President’s speech claiming extraordinary power was no doubt staged. The hypnotized public is lulled into believing what the President just said was a much sweeter pill to swallow than the crazy sideshow rhetoric that followed. Yet, the President and Cheney are not so far apart. We'll torture and we'll hide the evidence. We'll detain with disregard for the Rule of Law and justify it for security reasons. Nothing has changed. If it has, it is change I "cannot" believe in simply because it is sugar-coated. Despite its delivery by a great orator, it is still a violation of everything I hold dear, ethically, morally, and for due process with respect to the Constitution and the Rule of Law.

More on the Very Strange Case of Stefan Sharkansky

2009-05-22T23:00:00.000-07:00

Stefan Sharkansky is a Vindictive Prick: by David Goldy: http://horsesass.org/?p=3353

Strange Case of Stefan Sharkansky: Waitress Slayer

2009-05-22T21:55:00.000-07:00

Compelling quote and link to news coverage about right-wing blogger Stefan Sharkansky from Blatherwatch:

"Using language he'd never use in his straight-laced conservative blog, Stefan called us "a sick twisted fuck," which hurt our feelings but hey, we're political and hardened to such abuse. The waitress, however, is wholly apolitical; she had no idea who the hell Sharkansky was. She says she gets her news from E! online."

For full story: http://blatherwatch.blogs.com/talk_radio/2007/08/stefan-sharkans.html

"Dems Shun One of Their Own"

2009-05-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

Friends say "enough is enough" and that it's time to begin to set the record straight about my 2006 campaign for the State Senate in the 35th District. Heretofore, the headlines have been led by the much discredited Sound Politics - right-wing blogger. The following is a legitimate story by the Seattle Times. http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20060830&slug=postman30m