Public Health, Obesity and the Free Market:
Using systems thinking to address the root causes of society's problems rather than simply treating the symptoms.

by
Earon S. Davis, J.D., M.P.H., NCTMB



Frederick Zimmerman, Ph.D. is an economics professor at UCLA's School of Public Health. I believe that he is carrying forth research in the true Public Health tradition of seeking truth, no holds barred and the heck with the special interests. (I'm biased, here, because I have Masters of Public Health from UCLA.:-) Public Health emerged historically with a dual focus that combined scientific reductionism with systems thinking and pragmatism. Rather than assuming that science is always the answer, the traditions of Public Health include the wise observation and investigation of health and behavioral phenomenon, exemplified by the John Snow's discovery of the causes of an 1854 cholera epidemic in England.

To quote from a recent UCLA announcement of a webinar with Dr. Zimmerman, " His research studies economic influences on population health, with a particular focus on media use and child health and has caught the attention of the popular press, including NPR, the BBC, Good Morning America, the Today Show, The New York Times, and many other media outlets. The large increase in obesity in the past 30 years has often been explained in rational choice terms, for example, that a decline in food prices has engendered greater food consumption, or that the changing work environment has inhibited physical activity on the job. On closer examination, these explanations do not fit the facts. Dr. Zimmerman will discuss how an unprecedented expansion in the scope, power, and ubiquity of food marketing has vastly altered the culture of food and eating, and it is this cultural change that has led to our current obesity pandemic."

So, perhaps we do not need to blame the victims of obesity for their own plight! Of course, that has been the "American Way," but caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) is not working to keep the public's health from disastrous consequences - just to increase profits for businesses exploiting our genetically pre-determined cravings for fat, sugar and salt - and others who then exploit our genetically pre-determined urges to look healthy and attractive - and media advertisers and ad agencies then rake in profits of their own. Looking at the growth of the processed food industry and its massive advertising (and lobbying) budgets over the past 50 years, the choice between profits and the public's health is a theme that has become emblematic of this nation's abdication of its responsibilities to future generations.

It is one thing to blame adult alcoholics or heroin addicts for their addictions, but quite another thing to blame 5-year olds for their obesity, asthma and diabetes. If one is seriously trying to reverse the pandemic of obesity in the US and most of the rest of the world, one must observe the systems that are feeding it. The fabrication and marketing of processed foods that are virtually toxic and addictive in the amounts of fat, salt and sugar they contain is likely a major factor in our growing obesity.

Do we do something about it? Not if we are loathe to restrict businesses' rights to create and market unhealthy foods that are irresistible! There currently seems to be a right for businesses to have their profit-creating activities presumed to be safe unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Is this the way things are supposed to work?

Hello, my name is Earon Davis. I'm an adjunct professor in the Health and Wellness Program of Kaplan University's School of Health Sciences. My careers have included being an environmental policy analyst and lawyer, an advocate for consumer health, a nonprofit consultant and manager and an officer for a nonprofit involved with international documentary films. Currently, I am also a massage therapist, Reiki Master and Integrative Bodywork Practitioner for a major hospital system in the Chicago suburbs.

Let's get started with something controversial :)

I'd like to explore the question of whether massage is just a "fou-fou" relaxation indulgence or a full Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) modality just as important and powerful as the others. In fact, massage is already part of numerous other CAM modalities, such as Chiropractic, Osteopathic, Chinese Medicine (Tui-Na), and Ayurvedic! But the image of massage lags behind, whether for cultural or political reasons, as does the ability of massage therapists to earn a living wage.

Which of the following factors do you think are most important in explaining the lower status of massage and massage therapist than other CAM practitioners?:

- Massage therapists are not yet licensed in all States, and many States have developed licensing only in the past few years.

- Massage therapist training is less extensive than other CAM practices, with massage school not even requiring a college degree.

- Massage has been attacked for centuries, like other CAM professions and their predecessors, by organized religion and organized medicine.

- Touch is at the core of massage, and has raised discomfort and outright opposition from Protestant and Catholic institutions. Massage seems to have been relegated to sexworkers and seen as not "wholesome" or "respectable."

- In many ways, massage (like touch) is sexualized in our culture. The mass media have long played into the stereotypic "masseuse" as a "bimbo" and basically willing to engage in sexual behavior with their clients. This may be sexist, since around 85% of massage therapists are female. Airline Stewardesses of the 1970's actually had to change the name of their profession and become "flight attendants" to overcome the stereotype of promiscuity.

- Massage, given the lack of clothing, is just too intimate for many people. The act of removing one's clothes to receive relaxation and pain relief from a practitioner is just too suggestive. Today, even doctors rarely touch their patients, and it is typical for a physician examining a patient of the opposite sex to require a staff member of the opposite sex to be present.

- Culturally, Americans are often far too self-conscious and ashamed of their bodies to be comfortable with massage.

- Massage reminds us that we are animals, and we don't like to be reminded to take better care of our bodies. Many of us are touch-deprived and lonely, so massage actually can make us think about things that are dissonant for us. Although massage is probably the oldest healing modality known to humans, we like to think of ourselves as advanced beings somehow no longer needing to be touched and physically nurtured in a non-sexual way.

Of course, there are many factors in the late emergence of massage as a medicine. Recent studies have confirmed significant biochemical benefits for massage, including reduction of stress hormones and improved immune functioning. When these effects are provided by taking a pill, we call it a medicine. When provided by a massage, which is less risky and improves self-esteem and outlook in addition, we tend to dismiss it as somehow less useful.

Well, let's get some discussion going here - whether or not you agree with me. I'm a professor, not a politician :)

As one of my teachers has said, "May all good medicine be yours!"

Earon S. Davis, JD, MPH, NCTMB
Adjunct Professor
School of Health Sciences
Kaplan University

Lately I’ve been finding myself digging out the sweaters, pulling on my warm boots, and bundling up in scarves. Those sunny Fall days are quickly turning cold! Perhaps a little too quickly. Our house primarily uses our wood burning stove for heat, and unfortunately we haven’t gotten our cord of wood delivered yet. I’ll admit I’m a bit stubborn, and I just can’t bring myself to turn on the heat!

Instead I’ve been seeking other ways to warm up. The kids and dogs will only cuddle with me for so long, so I have been drinking a lot of hot tea these days. Herbal teas are a great way to stay warm and healthy in colder weather. And I’ll tell you a secret; they are really easy to make yourself. You can check your local health food store for bulk dried herbs, or purchase herbs online. One great online resource for herbs is www.mountainroseherbs.com. Herbs have a multitude of healing properties, so be sure to research each one you choose to make sure it is right for you. You can create blends to ease colds, anxiety, assist sleep, aid digestion, rejuvenate you, or create ones that simply taste good. The possibilities are endless! So have fun with your research and warm up with some good tea.

I’ve shared my favorite cold season recipe with you below in a short tutorial. Hope it does the trick for your colds this season!


Cold Season Tea

Ingredients*:
-1/2 cup Nettle leaf
-1/2 cup Echinacea root
-1/4 cup Peppermint leaf
-1/4 cup Rosehips
-1/4 cup Slippery Elm Bark
-1/4 cup Mullein Leaf
-1/4 cup Rosemary Leaf
*Measurements are based on dried herbs

To Make:

1. Measure out each herb




2. Mix




3. Store in jars or airtight containers in a cool, dark place



4. Place 1-2 teaspoons in a tea ball and steep in hot water for 10 minutes. Sweeten if desired and enjoy! Yum!


Told you it was easy! :)

In Health,

Kristin Henningsen, M.S., C.H., R.Y.T,

As a yoga instructor I am constantly searching for inspiration, to share with my students and myself. Although I strive to find the deeper truths within ancient yoga texts and hip yoga media (yes it does exist!), I often find that the most powerful inspiration comes from my connections to other people.

My most recent inspiration came from (of all things!) Halloween. While I usually approach this holiday with I admit a bit of disdain for the candy, the commercialism, the marketing to kids, THE CANDY, I was taken aback by the unexpected joy that I was confronted with. Let me clarify.

My kids were bursting out of their alien and white droid seams with joy. Pure, unadulterated, joy. First to dress up, then to play their respective roles, to see their friends all dressed up, and then of course for the candy. While I’m sure sugar played a role in all of this joy, there is a real ability of kids to take delight in something so simple. It’s powerful. It’s like they have this key to access and express joy when it strikes them.

We as adults are often so much more closed and protected. We hide or fail to recognize experiences that could be joyful simply because we have fears. While this has many personal manifestations in our relationships, physical effects often translate to chest tightness, heartburn, even asthma. Part of yoga is learning to access those places of joy and open up to our own experiences.

So tonight I advised my students to be open to experience their joy. As John Friend, founder of the Anusara Yoga movement states, “Look for the good vs. what is wrong” both in class and off the mat. Throughout the class, I noticed my students that usually push to the extreme soften and internalize their practice, and those who are already gentler with themselves hone in on specific postures that they struggle with.

I think we can all challenge ourselves to be more open to joy. Whether you practice yoga or not, each of us can take the time to appreciate ourselves. Simple acknowledgment and gratitude for everything that makes us, well…..us (yes even those parts that we may not be completely satisfied with). We can only truly experience joy for others when we have seen the good in ourselves.

While I’m sure I will struggle with being open to my own joy; one thing is for certain, I have certainly seen the good in Halloween.


Namaste,
Kristin Henningsen, M.S., C.H., R.Y.T.

My family has an unfortunate tradition. As soon as the seasons change, one or all of us comes down with something. We never know if it’s going to be a minor cold, sinus infection, or lay-you-out-on-the-bathroom-floor flu. So while I eagerly anticipated the blessed relief from the smothering heat and humidity of the Southeast in summer (can you tell I’m not native to the area?), I also felt a bit of trepidation with each cooler evening.

Last week our number came up. My hubby and I both came down with a minor flu, luckily not too debilitating, but just bad enough to make daily life a challenge. And while I’m glad that my kids dodged the bullet, there were points when I wished that there was a little less of that 3 and 5 year old energy around the house.

With kids going back to school and cooler weather driving us indoors for more time each day, most people will come down with the cold or flu during the fall and winter seasons. We can work preventatively by eating nutritious foods, getting enough exercise and sleep, but sometimes it’s just not enough.

Our plan of attack is always about the same. Tea until we can’t even look at tea anymore, tinctures until we have maxed our dosage, herbal steams, soups, Vitamin C, you name it. Our nasty flu hung on for about a week, and finally it hit me that I hadn’t made my Elderberry Elixir! This concentrated syrup made from elder berries has worked miracles for my family, and I wasn’t disappointed this time either. Within a couple of days, I was healed and able to deal with all the energy that comes with two little ones, two dogs, two snakes, and a big tank full of fish!

Here’s the Recipe:

Elderberry Elixir

Ingredients:
-4 oz Elderberries (about ½ cup)
-1 Cinnamon Stick
-1 tblspn Ginger
-3-4 sticks of Astragalus
-2 cups Water
- 1 cup Honey

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients (minus the honey) in a small saucepan
2. Bring to low boil. Then, simmer covered until reduced by half (about 20 minutes).
3. Strain through mesh strainer or cheesecloth
4. Add Honey
5. Enjoy!
***Store in glass jars refrigerated for up to 2 weeks

As always, be sure to consult your health care practitioner, and do your own research on any herb or supplement you plan on putting into your body.


I’ve had friends tell me it makes them feel like Mary Poppins giving out meds it’s so delicious! So take a spoonful and stay healthy this season!

~Kristin Henningsen, M.S., C.H., R.Y.T.
Adjunct Professor

I’d like to tackle another popular food topic today: Why eat organically grown food? I’m going to hop right into this one…

Reduce toxic chemical exposure. On average the human body contains at least 700 contaminants. This is a result of breathing contaminated air, drinking contaminated water, and eating contaminated foods. Do we really want to ingest more chemicals? At least 400 different pesticides are routinely used on conventionally grown produce. In general, pesticides are not harmless--many have been linked to cancer.

Increased nutrients. Studies have shown that organically grown produce is higher in anti-oxidants and other nutrients as compared to conventionally grown produce. I think most of us have trouble meeting the USDA guidelines of 5-9 servings of vegetables and fruits a day. Do we really want to rob ourselves of more nutrients by not eating organic?

Organic farming fights global warming: I’d like to share an excerpt about a Rodale Institute research trial I came across:

“The Rodale Institute's groundbreaking Farming Systems Trial, the
world's longest running study of organic farming, has documented that
organic soils actually scrub the atmosphere of global warming gases by capturing
atmospheric carbon dioxide and converting it into soil material. This is the
first study to document that organic farming techniques create robust carbon
"sinks."

"Organic farming is a powerful new tool in the global warming
arsenal," said Anthony Rodale, chairman of the The Rodale Institute. "It puts
agriculture into a lead role in regenerating the environment."

Through a process called carbon sequestration, plants and soils act
as "sinks" for atmospheric carbon dioxide. Carbon "sequestered" in vegetation
and soil is not readily released as carbon dioxide, providing a significant
boost in the efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. While carbon helps
stimulate plant growth, scientists estimate carbon dioxide may be responsible for more than 80 percent of global warming.

Although it's not a "silver bullet," carbon sequestration can become
a powerful component of a multi-pronged approach to managing the issue of
global warming. Since 1981, The Rodale Institute has monitored soil carbon
and nitrogen levels in scientifically controlled test fields using organic as
well as a wide range of other farming methods. In the organic systems, soil
carbon increased 15 to 28 percent.

These results are the extension of findings first published in the
journal Nature in 1999 and have undergone additional peer review.”

http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/globalwarming101003.cfm

There are many more reasons to eat organically grown foods, but I think I’ll stop here for today. In closure, I say good for us—good for the environment—what more could we want? Go organic! :)

If you would like to explore more information on organic food—try the Organic Consumer Association’s website:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/organlink.cfm


Nancy Silva, ND
Faculty, School of Health Sciences