On Monday, The Herald published an informative article, “Obesity rates may be leveling off, but doctors aren’t celebrating.” It stated that studies show the national obesity rate among adults is 36 percent; no surprise. In Washington state, 62 percent were either obese or overweight; huge surprise. Either of these numbers is shameful.
Any literate person knows that obesity is largely responsible for the health care crises we face as a nation, and is a leading cause of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other illnesses and diseases. Weight loss and weight control is a challenge for many, as is getting sufficient exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Given these facts, I cannot understand why The Herald publishes the Forum column in its current state. This recent article has prompted me to write what I have felt for years. Columnist Judyrae Kruse and her “helper-outers” consistently offer recipes that call for enormous amounts of butter, sugar, lard (beef fat), cream, cheeses, and a host of canned and processed foods. For years we have read the column for the laughs that such combination of ingredients generate. We have joked that consuming the quantities of these unhealthy ingredients must be slowly killing those who do so. I read these recipes to my wife and we just shake our heads in disbelief, noting that maybe this column is done as satire.
Now, after reading that 62 percent of adults in this state are obese or overweight, the recipes in this column are not so funny after all. While I have never considered adopting any recipe in this column, no doubt others have, maybe some of the 62 percent. In contrast, most of the AP recipes published in the paper have the nutritional information listed; Judyrae has never published the nutritional values of her recipes.
I believe The Herald should be more responsible for what it is promoting to its subscribers, and disclose the “nutritional” facts as well as the portion of the recommended daily allowance for fats, sodium, and calories. This column could be socially responsible and of age. Instead of promoting such unhealthy recommendations. In the alternative, place the column in the comics section, and attach an appropriate health warning along with the recipe. One Paula Deen promoting Type 2 diabetes medication is one too many.
Rob Dietz
Arligton
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