the free radical

Surprise, surprise. A couple of studies published in the April edition of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine make a convincing case that children, plus television, equals fat unhealthy kids. Actually that’s not much of a surprise at all, given that advertisers spend billions promoting edible garbage to children. If junk food manufacturers weren’t realizing an obese ROI (return on investment) they wouldn’t spend the money. It’s that simple.This is why it is so galling when shills for the food and advertising industries attempt to refute the results of these types of studies. A case in point is Black Entertainment Television, that purveyor of video-crack, which sold its collective soul for cold hard cash years ago. One study reveals that compared to the WB and Disney networks, BET scored a trifecta by carrying a majority of advertising for fast food, snacks and drinks. Not surprisingly, a BET spokesman attempted to downplay the study.

When BET was in its infancy, there were high hopes that finally, here was a station that would address the unique issues important to blacks. If history teaches us anything, it is that the people in charge at BET were under the mistaken assumption that those ‘important’ issues were limited to misogyny, soft porn and scarfing massive quantities of junk foodÂ… “the better to shake your rump my dear”. Don’t get me startedÂ…

This does not mean that WB and Disney are off the hook. A half hour of either reveals the same kind of predatory trolling for the hearts, minds and health of children. What to do? Attempts to filter advertising messages are hopeless, as an egregious ad will be burned into the retinas and cerebral cortex of Junior long before the ad police can retrieve the remote from beneath the sofa. Also, there’s the fact that a lot of ‘advertising’ takes place during the shows these days, either through overt product placements or by more subtle means where consumer modification messages are subtly woven into the story lines, set design, backdrops, etc.

Best bet? Turn off the TV, get off the couch and take Junior outside and have some fun, then wrap up your day with some delicious home cooking for dinner.

he campaign to get corporate junk food peddlers out of the schools and educate parents is underway, but there is one area, one sacrosanct zone in the life of a child that contributes to their ill health with impunity, yet has gone unchallengedÂ… until now. Brothers and sisters, let’s go to church.

In last week’s episode, the FDA announced that we shouldn’t trouble our pretty little heads over the possibility that there might be cancer-causing benzene in soda. They said no problem, don’t worry, just keep on drinking.This week, they’ve flip-flopped, announcing that benzene has, in fact, been found at levels above the limit considered safe for drinking water. Their response: no problem, don’t worry, just keep on drinking. Actually, we’re not sure if this constitutes a flip-flop or not since, despite the new announcement of benzene found at levels up to four times the safe limit, they’re stalwartly consistent about it being ‘OK’ to keep imbibing your favorite refreshment. This is the FDA after all. You didn’t expect them to take a position contrary to the interests of Big Business did you?

Benzene by the way is a cancer-causing agent associated with leukemia and can form in drinks that contain ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and potassium benzoate. Anybody want a free refill? Perhaps it’s time for a new slogan: “Get More Cancer Than You Paid For With [your brand here].” I’m willing to let the first cola company honcho who calls me within the next twenty minutes, have this baby for a paltry six figures. The FDA, you gotta love’em. Not really.

For a musically entertaining and informative perspective on the perils of soda pop, check out Pop Culture, Soda Nation.

This was the first and the most painful chapter to write in A Life Unburdened. Read this excerpt and find out why.

Later this year, Alli, the over the counter version of Xenical, a weight loss drug, will be coming to a pharmacy near you. But don’t get your hopes up. If we could solve all our problems with little blue pills, we wouldn’t have any problems. Find out why Alli may not be the ‘champ’ the upcoming ad campaign says it is.