Transcript Document

UNDERSTANDING and MANAGING
SWEETNESS
A International Scientific Conference
Organized by
ILSI-India · Oldways
17 September 2009 · Hotel Taj Mahal · New Delhi, India
THE CONTEXT FOR
UNDERSTANDING
AND
MANAGING SWEETNESS
Dr. K. Dun Gifford
President and Founder, Oldways
Boston, Massachusetts
Understanding and Managing Sweetness
is an education program for health
professionals and consumers.
It responds directly to the need for
new approaches that effectively
address the steady world-wide
increases in overweight and obesity,
and the chronic diseases that follow.
It is a science-based, practical approach:
(1) To consuming a healthful,
balanced diet based on
familiar, delicious foods
and drinks, and
(2) To living a healthy lifestyle.
The Context for
Understanding and Managing Sweetness
1. Rising world-wide rates of overweight and obesity that are
precursors for increased chronic health diseases.
2. Declines in physical activity in homes, workplaces, and
schools -- joined by poor eating and drinking habits,
increasing urbanization, and intense internet usage -- are
contributing causes.
3. Current solutions/programs for these chronic diseases are
proving ineffective to reverse these trends.
4. Searches for “quick fixes” ignore the real obstacles to
reversing over-consumption and under-activity.
Q.: What Is Understanding and Managing Sweetness?
A.: It is a science-based, common-sense approach to
enjoying sweet tastes, foods and drinks wisely.
Q.: How does it work?
A.: It works in three ways:
1. It informs individuals and families about how
to manage their calories of sweet foods and
drinks.
2. It emphasizes the health and energy benefits
of balanced diets and healthy lifestyles
and urge choosing foods and drinks wisely.
3. It includes physical activity as a full partner
with wise eating.
This Oldways “Managing
Sweetness” approach has been
widely recognized by leading
international media.
One example, in the
Financial Times:
“Managing”
is a learned behavior
that is essential for human life.
Human evolution depended on learning
how to develop and manage a reliable food
supply. This required :
• Creating and maintaining shelter
• Farming grains, vegetables and fruits
• Raising food animals
• Catching fish and shellfish
• Cooking foods from plants and animals
• Storing foods.
“Sweetness” is a sense, or sensation.
Sweetness signals safe
and nutritious food.
“Bitterness” is also a sense, but
warns of foods or drinks that may be
dangerous, or even poisonous.
Sweetness
is
an essential mammalian sensation,
because it directs infants, at birth,
to safe mother’s milk.
It continues as a guide to safe foods
and fluids throughout life.
In summary:
It is important to remember that eating, drinking
and exercising are behaviors.
“Managing” these behaviors wisely is a learned
behavior.
Because of the staying power of food habits,
causing changes in these behaviors generally
requires use and application of sophisticated
behavior change techniques.
Thank you very much.
Dr. K. Dun Gifford
President and Founder, Oldways
Boston, Massachusetts
Understanding and Managing Sweetness