by Catherine Haug
There’s no denying that fast food and prepared food are an increasingly big part of the daily diet for many people. At the same time, the cost of health care is sky-rocketing, in large part because of the steep rise in obesity and chronic disease such as diabetes and heart disease. Most people acknowledge a strong connection between these trends.
But could there also be a connection to the health and life insurance industry?
Researchers at the Harvard Medical School reported the results of an interesting study in the April 15, 2010 issue of the American Journal of Public Health: Life and Health Insurance Industry Investments in Fast Food (1). The authors state in the paper’s abstract:
“Insurers own $1.88 billion of stock in the 5 leading fast food companies. We argue that insurers ought to be held to a higher standard of corporate responsibility, and we offer potential solutions.”
This week, both CNN and Dr Mercola posted articles about this study. See CNN: Study: Insurance companies hold billions in fast food stock (2) and Mercola.com: If you have health insurance, you’re being betrayed (3).
A Conflict of Interest is Not in your Best Interest
These articles take issue with the fact that health and life insurance companies have a moral conflict of interest because of their investment in the fast food industry. It works like this:
- Insurance companies charge higher rates for people with health problems;
- People with health issues are more likely to purchase health and life insurance;
- Fast foods are known to increase the risk of serious disease such as heart disease and diabetes;
- And these insurance companies own a significant stake of the fast food industry.
CNN writes:
“According to Harvard Medical School researchers, 11 large companies that offer life, disability, or health insurance owned about $1.9 billion in stock in the five largest fast-food companies as of June 2009. (2)
Do you find this disturbing? I do.
Mercola writes:
“Declining health is a DIRECT effect of diet, and by investing in fast food companies they [insurance industry] are promoting ill health and driving up health care costs, whether they intend to or not. …
The annual health care cost of obesity in the US has reached $147 billion, and the medical bills for diabetes are at an estimated $217.5 billion a year! If you are obese, you will spend an average of 42 percent more on health care than someone of normal weight.” (3)
What You Can Do
The obvious recommendation is to avoid fast food and processed food, especially if you have children who are our future. Mercola writes:
“This [problem] is just one of the reasons why I keep reiterating that someone needs to spend some quality time in the kitchen to prepare your meals. … Whether you or your spouse do it or you employ someone else to, someone needs to take the time to cook your food from scratch.Using healthy whole unprocessed foods, is the least expensive health insurance you could ever wish for.” (3)
It is difficult for the modern American family to prepare all their meals from scratch. Most families find both parents in the workplace, with little time left to spend in the kitchen. But if they don’t find a way to do this, their children may not live to old age, or be bankrupted in the attempt.
Here are some suggestions:
- Encourage your children to help with meal preparation.
- Share meals and their preparation with your neighbors.
- Take your child along for grocery shopping and explain why/how you make your food choices.
- Help your school create a productive garden so that children can participate in production of their lunch meal, and learn about how real food is grown and prepared.
- Create a garden at home or join a community garden.
- Take a family outing to visit a local farm that raises livestock.
The main culprits in fast and processed foods
- HFCS (high fructose corn syrup), or its new name: corn sugar
- meat, eggs and dairy from grain-fed animals
- artificial flavor and texture enhancers
- chemical preservatives
- artificial foods like coffee creamers, fat-free half & half or sour cream, margarine
- chemical insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.
- GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) and GE (Genetically Engineered) foods
- heat processed fats and oils
- heat processed dairy
- heat processed breakfast cereals (corn flakes, puffed rice, etc)
- packaging
Next time you go to a fast food restaurant, ask to see the list of ingredients in the food you eat. Chances are they will tell you it’s not available.
Next time you’re tempted to buy a frozen or boxed dinner, read the label. Chances are you’ll find at least one ingredient that is not a whole food. And if it is not a whole food, you don’t want to eat it.
But what’s really scary is that many food additives are not required to be listed on the label. This includes GMO food ingredients. The best way to avoid additives, etc. is to stay away from prepared and fast foods.