Physician Disagrees with Advisory Panel Recommendations for the Food Pyramid
Expert Warns Obesity Could Increase if Recommendations are Adopted.
(PRWEB) Los Angeles, CA September 22, 2004 -- A food pyramid designed without
regard to the evolutionary development of metabolism or psychological factors
surrounding food choices could make even more Americans obese, according to Dr.
Anthony J. Burlay, author of "The Foundation Diet: Your Body Was Designed to
Eat".
The guidelines written by the U.S.D.A., the same department
responsible for promoting agricultural commodity producers, is used to plan
meals for millions of Americans, including those eating school lunches. A
federal advisory panel has made its recommendations, and the final dietary
guidelines and revised food pyramid will be available early next year.
Dr. Burlay, General and Addictions Psychiatrist, worries the obesity
epidemic will actually increase by following the proposals. "Early humans had a
very different 'pyramid'," he says, "which consisted of high protein intake and
fresh vegetation, and infrequent and seasonal fruits and nuts. The proposals
ignore influences on decisions related to food choices - more complex than
following a list of recommended foods. Food choices are the result of a
combination of body signals, cultural influences, habits, events, emotions, and
beliefs."
"People need complete information to make important decisions
about their health and food choices - oversimplification and lists are not
enough." Dr. Burlay believes that there needs to be a different approach to the
public's education to curb America's weight problem. He suggests public
education which focuses on how metabolism works, ignoring influences from
current fads and political loyalties.
MEDIA: Review copies of "The
Foundation Diet: Your Body Was Designed to Eat" are available by contacting
Zen-Fusion Publishing
Anthony J. Burlay M.D. attended University of
Maryland medical school and completed his Psychiatric Residency at the
University of Maryland at Baltimore. He is Board Certified in both General and
Addictions Psychiatry.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/9/prweb160647.htm