Americans' unhealthy eating habits will be the target of the top U.S. physicians' group next week, when it votes on resolutions calling for reducing salt in food and for taxes on sugary soft drinks.
The American Medical Association, or AMA, plans to focus on the contribution of soft drinks to the nation's obesity epidemic as well as the over-consumption of dietary salt when its 544 doctor-delegates convene the group's annual meeting.
One resolution asks the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to place stricter regulations on sodium in processed foods, fast food, and restaurant offerings and it recommends cutting salt content in foods by at least half over the next decade.
A second resolution supports taxes on sugary soft drinks -- likely at the state and local level -- despite industry opposition. It calls for the revenue to go for public health programs to combat obesity, which has been labeled an epidemic by U.S. health authorities.
A soft-drink tax might also curb consumption somewhat, the AMA said, as with levies on alcohol and cigarettes.
At the meeting, the AMA will likely also hone its campaign against non-physicians treating patients without a doctor's supervision -- something that has grated on alternative providers such as nurse practitioners, psychologists, and chiropractors.
"I think at times (physicians) feel threatened that there are other practitioners that can provide safe, quality care and they are not the (only) provider of health care services and would like to maintain that authority," said Rose Gonzalez of the American Nurses Association.
Bonnie - have I died and gone to heaven? The AMA's top target is the American Diet? It can't be. For years and years, all I kept hearing was that diet had nothing to do with my client's health issues!
What's changed? Copius positive data regarding the diet/health connection, confidence in physicians are at an all-time low and it is hurting their bottom line, and the American attitude is pointing towards major change in lifestyle.
Doctors are scared because they have never been trained to look at prevention. They have had little or no training in diet and nutrition. Right now, at least they have to show that they are going with the trend.
What really needs to change in the medical profession is the philosophy. Diet and nutrition must be emphasized from pre-med to med school through continuing ed. We will all be better off!
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