Family Physicians Group Announces a New Partner: Coke?

AAFP

It was only a matter of time before the AAFP jumped in bed with big business with big pockets. It's been fine in the pharmaceutical industry for a couple of decades so why not a professional organization representing physicians supposedly acting as fiduciaries' for their patients' health. I think most family physicians missed this anouncement. What a slippery slope the AAFP is inching down. I'll be looking for the diet Coke ads in my next AAFP Journal.

dw of CA @ Oct 23, 2009 10:12:15 AM

We're hooked on sweetness

Let's see if the company maintains their funding if AAFP comes right out and says stop drinking cola and "sports drinks" and only drink fruit juice in moderation. It's already been sad to see dieticians who perpetuate the view that HFCS is no different than sugar: I love it when one writes "Being a consultant does not change the facts about this ingredient." Or acts as a spokesperson for well-known food and beverage comapnies that makes and promotes unhealthy choices.

Let's hope AAFP can provide informed advice. And a final thought someone should tell their President-elect Lori Heim that it is not just the energy in nondiet colas that's a problem - it is also the sweetness in diet sodas that causes metabolic disruption and overeating. And helps habituate us to sweet foods, and mislead into thinking that for example low-fat (but very sweet) dairy prodcuts are healthy. I wonder if the AAFP sponsor will consider making some healthy drinks other than purified tap water with added minerals? And no, fruit juice isn't a particularly healthy choice if you drink more than a few ounces of it.

Dr Mike @ Oct 20, 2009 18:41:21 PM

Overhyped

This is way over-hyped. Pharmaceutical support, which now seems acceptable, is much more a conflict of interest than Coke.

Ron Leiker of OH @ Oct 09, 2009 11:31:22 AM

Corn Syrup = Sugar, regarding obesity.

Make no mistake in reading Robyn's comment that corn syrup is OK. She is saying that it is equal to sugar regarding obesity. Meaning: Still not a good thing.

John Graham of NY @ Oct 07, 2009 22:58:18 PM

Corn Syrup, Responding to Robyn Flipse, MS, RD

Robyn, your comment and your findings in effect say that corn syrup is equal to sugar in it's effects towards causing obesity.

Okay, assuming that MAY be true, then the next step is this:

We need to now seriously question the place of sugar in the human diet.

(Common table sugar processed from sugar cane AND sugar beet AND High Fructose Corn Syrup)

These sugars are an ADDED ingredient in MOST foods.

Why does peanut butter need sugar???

Why does ketchup need sugar???

Why does fruit juice need sugar???

...and many, many more!

Why do LOTS of food items have unnecessary added sugar?

What is WRONG with these companies who pour sugar into ALMOST EVERYTHING !

WHAT ARE THEY THINKING ?!

Now if Coca-Cola will bring the sugar question up LOUD AND CLEAR, then maybe this partnership with American Academy of Family Physicians will be making a very primary step.

Coca-Cola and American Academy of Family Physicians would still need to be seriously critiqued every step of the way.

John Graham of NY @ Oct 07, 2009 22:45:15 PM

Truth About High Fructose Corn Syrup

Ok, so it might not be linked to obesity....what about the liver damage it's been linked to? There are more than several studies available that confirm that.

Brad Gross of IL @ Oct 07, 2009 18:49:23 PM

a marriage made in hell

making a deal with the biggest purveyor of fat people is no joke. The alliance might need the money in these troubled times, but the hypocrisy does not go unnoticed.

abel Rodriguez of FL @ Oct 07, 2009 15:32:42 PM

Questionable

AAFP leadership should be questioned on this. It seems like they lack the skills necessary to broker a beneficial alliance to benefit both AAFP member and health care consumers. AAFP leadership has made many questionable decisions in the past few years and it's time for a new direction.

J Smith of IL @ Oct 06, 2009 23:38:41 PM