Doctor recommends sugary snacks

An article in the April 26 edition of the WSJ, "Out Front in the Fight on Fat" profiles the efforts in Portland, Maine to fight obesity by promoting 5-2-1-0 principles (5 servings of fruits or vegetables, 2 hours or less of screen time, 1 hour of exercise, and zero sugary drinks.)  After spending $4 million, the obesity rate dropped only 1.4%.

I was surprised that the reporter didn't follow up on the doctor's advice in the second paragraph:

It took grit and determination for 17-year-old Sean Speckin to lose 80 pounds last year, after a doctor warned him he had high blood pressure and might have to go on medication. "I was angry," says Sean, who was 5'10" and 260 pounds. "Pretty much all I did was eat junk food" and watch TV, he says. He and his father, with whom he lives most of the time, would often eat burgers or pizza.

Acting on his own, he ditched burgers and fries in favor of chicken, vegetables and fruit. He asked Dr. Rogers, whose son is a good friend, for advice. She suggested granola bars and yogurt instead of cookies, and walking.

A doctor suggested granola bars and yogurt??  The majority of the calories in both comes from sugar.  Images from www.sugarsnacks.com.

From Innovation Bootcamp

From Innovation Bootcamp