Childhood Obesity

Local Matters believes that a well informed citizen can make a difference in Ohio legistlation and other levels of change in our respective localities. Because of this we have launched a "Vote With Your Fork" campaign in hopes to educate fellow Central Ohioans to know what is going on with their food sources and so that they understand what changes need to be made in their best interest.

With the current state of health in America and our obesity epidemic, Ohio has a difficult decision to make.

Studies show (Click here for Princeton study) that while caloric entake may be the same, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) definitely plays a part in obesity compared to sugar. So where does Ohio come in you ask?

Many of us have our food vices, something that we totally love and can't get enough of.  Most times, these vice foods are those that are of the fatty sort: Ice cream, chocolate, potato chips, etc. Now, studies have shown that we are not able to help ourselves and also, it may, over time, take more of these foods to create the same satisfaction.

According to a study by Scripps Research Institute, fatty foods activate the pleasure centers in the brain. But as with everything it has a peak. Some times while eating, we "peak" which makes it so that it will take more of the same food to create the same pleasure. This addictive quality happens to be how cocaine and heroin affect the body as well making fat just as addicting and dangerous.

For more information on this VERY INTERESTING research

As the 2010 Ted Prize winner, Jamie Oliver was given a chance to make one wish that would change the world and to do it in front of an audience that was eager to make his wish come true.  

His wish announced on February 10, 2010 was to teach every child about food in order to confront the health issues that plague our communities - childhood obesity, diabetes, etc. and set a course for a healthy future.