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TV Skeptic: 'Weight of the Nation' is light on balance about obesity

2012-05-16T04:08:11+02:00

To me, there is an 800-pound gorilla looming in the background of "The Weight of the Nation," the four-part documentary that began on Monday and concludes Tuesday on HBO. It's a menacing presence that may be hard to spot among so many 300-, 400- and 500-pound Americans on screen, but I know it's there because not so long ago I was obese.

The unseen presence, I believe, is the role that insulin plays in storing body fat. In my case, tackling that beast led to dramatic weight loss and greatly improved health and fitness.

I started learning about the relationship between insulin and fat nearly three years ago when a loved one was diagnosed with a tumor on the pituitary gland that could cause Cushing syndrome, which is characterized by a rapid progression to obesity. When our family first got this diagnosis I frantically researched the condition and learned that this tumor can start a series of responses in the body’s endocrine system resulting in high levels of insulin, which causes excess fat storage.

Whenever insulin levels in the blood rise, the body stores fat. In most people insulin rises after a meal, and rises higher after meals with a high carbohydrate content, especially simple carbs like sugar, pasta or white flour.

There is debate among scientists, researchers, physicians, nutritionists and other diet experts over just what causes obesity. One side argues it's a simple matter of energy balance: "calories in vs. calories out." The claim is that the first law of thermodynamics requires that any calories that enter the system must either be metabolized, expelled or stored, and the obesity epidemic is the result of excess calories and too little exercise.

The other side — proponents of low-carb diets — argues that carbohydrates in the diet cause the blood sugar to rise, leading to fat storage. People eat more and exercise less because they are storing excess fat, not the other way around. The carb/glucose/insulin side says that if you drastically reduce dietary carb intake, then blood sugar and insulin levels stay low and the body will metabolize fat for fuel — including stored fat — leading to weight loss.

About a year after we got tumor diagnosis (we were very fortunate an observant doctor caught the subtle signs of the tumor, a prolactinoma, early) I was told by my own doctor at a checkup that my blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides were good, but moving in the wrong direction. My health would soon be at risk, he said.

Armed with my new understanding of the role of blood sugar and insulin in fat storage I researched a number of diets and chose the Atkins plan, as it was the one that cut carbs the most and kept insulin levels down.

As a skeptic, and an advocate of science-based medicine and evidence-based diet, I felt like I was taking a leap of faith. Although there are numerous studies showing the effectiveness of Atkins compared with other diets, there is an enormous backlash against low-carb diets in the medical and nutritional communities.

"The Weight of the Nation" doesn't just take the "calories in/calories out" side of the debate, it proceeds as if there is no debate at all.

It does well enough in documenting the breadth and scope of the obesity epidemic. And, as an experienced carb-counter, I saw that nearly every bite of the food they blamed for obesity was high-carb: the very foods that cause insulin levels to rise and lead to increased fat storage.

Want to cut your carbon footprint? Here’s how

2012-05-15T04:27:26+02:00

If you’re driving your SUV to the farmer’s market to buy local asparagus — and thinking you’re making a difference for the planet — not so fast. You’re focused on a detail and ignoring the gas-hogging elephant in the room.

Likewise, if you’re badgering your kids to turn out the lights and the bulbs are still incandescent, you could make more progress — and probably add harmony to your household — if you replaced those old energy-sucking bulbs with efficient ones.

As the authors of a new book point out, you’d have to leave the old bulbs off three out of four days to get energy savings comparable to that of CFL or LED bulbs.

The book is Cooler Smarter: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Living, by the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Experts at the science-based nonprofit spent two years calculating the direct and indirect carbon emissions from 500 categories of consumer activity.

“We tracked everything from clothes and cars to health care and day care,” said Brenda Ekwurzel, a UCS climate scientist and coauthor of the book.

They found a lot of low-hanging fruit, which may be good news because UCS wants all of us to reduce our emissions 20 percent over the next year.

And they found that many of the steps they recommend don’t just reduce a person’s carbon footprint. “They can also improve the quality of your life, save you money and time, and even improve your health,” the authors say.

Along the way, they sorted out a barrage of green advice and selected actions that deliver the biggest savings. So it’s a guide to making a difference, instead of worrying about whether to use a paper towel or the electric hand dryer in a public bathroom.

The way some people fret about the details, you’d think we had all the big stuff licked. Far from it. An American’s lifestyle, on average, results in 21 tons of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere every year, about four times the global average.

So perhaps we could consider the 20 percent reduction UCS is advocating a down payment on what many scientists say we need — an 80 percent reduction in emissions by the middle of the century. Or consider it a matter of doing your part because the government isn’t doing enough.

Praise for the book is mounting. “Whatever your view may be about climate-change projections, there are no good arguments that favor wasting energy and launching the world’s climate into an uncertain future,” said Neal Lane, a former White House science adviser in President Bill Clinton’s administration.

Recognizing that not everyone is in the same situation, the book offers more of a menu than a blueprint.

But some things clearly stand out. For most Americans, what matters most is how you drive, the energy you use at home, and what you eat, in that order.

Consumer Electronics Stores in the US Industry Market Research Report Now Available from IBISWorld

2012-05-14T04:25:01+02:00

Consumer electronics and appliances are staples in the lives of modern consumers. From DVD players to refrigerators, the American household is awash with electronics that perform a plethora of tasks, says industry analyst Justin Waterman. Prior to the recession, the Consumer Electronics Stores industry benefited from increasing household wealth and falling product prices.

However, the collapse of the US housing market, the subprime mortgage crises and the subsequent recession dealt a blow to the industry near the end of 2008. Unemployment reached near-historic levels and household wealth declined. As such, consumer confidence fell to an abysmal level, decreasing demand significantly in 2009. The demise of former major player Circuit City illustrates how reduced demand has impacted industry. In light of these conditions, IBISWorld estimates that revenue will fall at an average annual rate of 2.6% to $80.9 billion over the five years to 2012.

In addition to falling sales, rising competition with retailers outside of the Consumer Electronics Stores industry has initiated price battles among companies over the five-year period. In order to drive consumer traffic, many consumer electronics stores have been forced to lower their price markups on merchandise, Waterman says. As a result, industry profitability has declined.

With falling margins, many underperforming firms have exited; IBISWorld estimates that the number of enterprises has declined 1.9% per year on average over the past five years to roughly 39,354 businesses. Current major companies include Best Buy Co. and RadioShack Corp. Because of Circuit Citys exit, these companies earned a greater share of the industry and overall market share concentration has been slightly diluted.

Through 2017, the projected economic recovery that will underpin renewed consumer spending is expected to spur the industry's comeback. While spending is not expected to immediately reach prerecession fervor levels, renewed confidence in the economy is expected to drive retail sales. In fact, the industry has already shown signs of recovery; revenue is estimated to bounce back in 2012 as spending conditions improve.

Demand for electronics accessories and peripherals is projected to rebound even quicker because these items are relatively inexpensive and can enhance existing technology. Demand for advanced products, including Blu-ray players, light-emitting diode (LED) TVs, 3-D TVs and smartphones, will also likely drive growth. For more information, visit IBISWorlds Consumer Electronics Stores in the US industry report page.

City of Superior, Neb., reduces energy costs by nearly 70 percent with move to GE LED street lighting

2012-05-11T04:14:57+02:00

The solution--a citywide streetlight replacement project, moving from high-pressure sodium lights to GE's energy-efficient LED streetlights, ultimately reducing the city's electricity costs by more than $20,000 annually.

The high-pressure sodium lights had lit Superior's city streets and parks for many years, but the city wanted to reduce electricity costs while maintaining or improving light quality. Superior received 13 bids and accompanying light samples from the top four candidates. The city performed side-by-side testing of each light sample for two weeks before measuring light output and energy usage, balanced with pricing. The GE Evolve(TM) LED Medium Roadway fixture emerged as the clear winner. Superior had applied for and received an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant to cover part of the cost of the lighting upgrade. The grant program is a federal initiative to help fund energy efficiency and conservation programs across the country.

In 2009, Superior spent $30,260 on electricity for streetlights. The city expects the more than 600 LED fixtures installed will reduce electricity costs to approximately $9,300 annually, with the project paying for itself in just seven years. In addition to energy savings, the city will realize reduced maintenance costs, with the GE LED system expected to provide 11 years of service, based on a 50,000-hour life and 12 hours of operation per day.

Larry Brittenham, utility manager for Superior, acknowledges the monetary payback is important, but says the real payback is in reducing the city's carbon footprint.

"We are saving 156 tons of CO 2 per year from just the electrical generation of our streetlights, which doesn't include the reduced impact from the transportation and manufacturing of parts, or installation every few years with our old lighting. Just imagine what larger cities could save in greenhouse gasses with GE's LED systems," says Brittenham. "For the combination of light output and cost, no other LED manufacturers came close to the GE lights."

GE Evolve LED Roadway fixtures improve visibility on Superior's roads with better horizontal and vertical lighting uniformity, reduced glare and light pollution, and less light trespass. As part of a major initiative for the state of Nebraska to move to green technology, Superior and five other Nebraska cities are retrofitting various mercury vapor and high-pressure sodium streetlights with GE LED systems.

"We're seeing a rapid adoption of LED systems for roadways. In fact, 29 states have already installed or are evaluating GE's Evolve(TM) LED fixture as a replacement for less-efficient lighting sources. This replacement project will improve visibility for Nebraska drivers, which can create a brighter environment. It will also reduce maintenance costs and lower energy consumption," says Tim Miller, GE global product manager, outdoor lighting fixture platforms.

Future of Old Town Fort Collins holiday lights still uncertain

2012-05-10T04:24:22+02:00

The city’s beloved Old Town holiday lights may stay dark this winter because no one is sure who will pay to install and illuminate them.

The three groups that have historically footed the approximately $75,000 annual bill haven’t yet figured out where they’re going to get the money this year, and city officials say they may have to scale back or keep the lights dark.

“I think everybody loves them, and we just have to have the conversation,” said Marty Heffernan, the city’s director of community services. “It’s been a three-way partnership, and things have been tough with our other partners.”

The Downtown Business Association and the Downtown Development Authority have typically contributed to the lights in Old Town, but both organizations are reassessing their financial commitment in light of their own budget problems.

Fort Collins has budgeted $30,000 for the lights this year and is currently interviewing possible contractors to install and maintain the lights, should the entire funding come through.

“We don’t know where the DDA and the DBA are at, and what they can contribute this year,” Heffernan said.

The DDA’s board has decided the lights should be a lower priority than in the past, and the DBA’s finances are still struggling after a bad fundraising year in 2010.

Heffernan said it’s possible the city may be able to contribute more than $30,000, but said that’s not a given. He said bids coming in from contractors will help determine the costs for this year. The city has asked for bids on about 182 trees in the core Old Town area and for an expanded area with another 159 trees.

Some Coloradoan readers say the city should consider seeking corporate sponsors or asking for volunteers to put up the lights.

“We needed some more information before we work the whole thing out,” Heffernan said. “We could always scale back, ask for additional money. We’ll just talk that all through.”

Of Light Bulbs and Liberty -- and Lunacy, Too

2012-05-09T04:25:54+02:00

The Federal government has been regulating electrical products almost since electricity was invented. And, for decades, it has set energy efficiency standards for a variety of products -- from cars to air conditioners to refrigerators.

All of this is good for consumers. Collectively we save billions of dollars every year because the federal government has pushed GM to make cars that go further on a tank of gas and Carrier to make AC units that cool our homes for less money. As much as laissez-faire theorists tout the ability of markets to solve all problems, too many of us in the real world are too lazy to utilize "perfect information" when choosing consumer products. We don't stand at Home Depot with a calculator figuring out which washing machine is going to save us the most money over a five-year period. And even when we do the math, we often opt to pay a little less now then pay a lot less over an extended period.

In other words, we make dumb choices. I certainly do as a consumer. That's why many of us appreciate it when someone -- like, say, the government -- narrows down our options so we make better choices that will save us a bunch of money.

Regulating for efficiency has alway been controversial, but there were always plenty of Republicans who got that it made sense. George W. Bush may have disliked regulation, like other conservatives, but he didn't have a problem signing bipartisan legislation in 2007 that called for phasing in new higher efficiency standards for lightbulbs. After all, companies like GE were already at work on better lightbulbs and it was estimated that speeding up their adaptation could mean big savings in a country with four billion light sockets -- more than $12 billion a year.

Well, that was then. As the Republican Party has moved further and further to the right, all sorts of formerly mundane government functions are now being depicted as sinister plots against the common man.

Conservative groups and tea party favorites in the House, including GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, have accused the government of a heavy-handed attempt to ban incandescent bulbs and limit consumer freedom.

“This wasn’t a light bulb manufacturer to me; this was an issue of the fundamental freedom of the American people and one more area where the federal government was encroaching in a place where it didn’t belong,” said Texas Rep. Michael Burgess, who has backed multiple efforts to block the standards.

This campaign, like so many others from the right, pivoted on a distortion of the facts, with the lightbulb liberty crowd saying that the Feds were going to ban the beloved incandescent lightbulb, forcing all of us to live under the socialistic glare of fluorescent lighting. In fact, the law mandates no such thing. Incandescent bulbs are fine, as long as they meet the new standards -- and plenty of such bulbs already do, which you can learn by walking into any department store.

EnvironmentalLights Receives Houzz's 2012 'Best Of Remodeling' Award

2012-05-08T04:07:10+02:00

EnvironmentalLights, an online retailer for high-quality, energy-efficient LED lighting, has been awarded "Best Of Remodeling" 2012 by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design. The LED lighting company was chosen by the more than 1.2 million registered members of the Houzz community.

The Houzz "Best Of Remodeling" award for 2012 is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction award winners are based on homeowner members who rated their experience working with remodeling professionals in 12 categories ranging from architects, and interior designers to contractors and other residential remodeling professionals. Design award winners' work was the most popular among the 1.2 million members, also known as "Houzzers," who saved more than 16.5 million professional images to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site and iPad/iPhone app.

EnvironmentalLights won the Customer Satisfaction category for their "Best of Remodeling" Award. Primarily serve lighting designers, architects, electrical contractors and other professionals, EnvironmentalLights scours the globe for best-in-class LED lighting products and distributes them from their headquarters in San Diego and satellite warehouses throughout the United States.

"We put our efforts into not only the best products, but the best team," said Greg Thorson, president and CEO of EnvironmentalLights. "Our sales engineers provide expert advice in the selection and design of lighting systems, and work hand-in-hand with their customers until the installation is complete."

EnvironmentalLights offers a broad spectrum of under cabinet lighting, rope and strip lighting, light bulbs, landscape lights and other LED lighting solutions for commercial and residential applications. You can purchase their products at EnvironmentalLights and follow them on Houzz.

"With 3.5 million monthly unique users and 80 million monthly page views, Houzz has rapidly become the largest community of active remodelers, providing homeowners and design enthusiasts with first-hand advice from Houzzers who have been through the renovating and decorating process," said Liza Hausman, vice president of marketing for Houzz. "This is a real stamp of approval for EnvironmentalLights from the Houzz community and we're thrilled to welcome them to this elite group of 'Best Of' winners."

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like EnvironmentalLights, but also those whose work visually aligns with their own design goals. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and evaluating their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.