Michael Fumento

The food and beverage lobby calling itself The Center for Consumer Freedom (Unofficial motto: "Eat, drink, and be merry; for tomorrow we get paid!) claims there's new evidence that a study last April by Karen Flegal and others was correct in "putting the number of overweight- and obesity-related deaths at 26,000," although the CDC had previously been using a figure of 365,000. It noted that "some critics questioned [Flegal's] science." Yes, many did including me. It contradicted a slew of studies that came before and has been supported by none since. Now, pray tell, who is the one scientist they actually quote supporting the Flegal study? Why, it's Karen Flegal!

Sorry folks, but reading press releases from lobbyists who line their pockets by encouraging people to pad their bellies has not been demonstrated to lower the risk of overweight and obesity.