WASHINGTON - Congressman Adam H. Putnam (FL-12) today called for an overhaul of federal nutrition programs at a House Government Reform hearing on “The Supersizing of America: The Federal Government's Role in Combating Obesity and Promoting Healthy Living.”

“Current federal nutrition guidelines need to be revised and enhanced so that they are consistent with current dietary and nutrition science for some of the neediest Americans, including pregnant and nursing mothers, infants and students,” said Putnam. “The current WIC (Women, Infant and Children) program has not been changed in its 30 years of existence. Unbelievably, mothers in the WIC program are prohibited from purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables! This outdated system does a disservice to those who need help most.”

“Today we face a continuing challenge in improving the quality of the American diet. As we see an alarming increase in obesity, coronary heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes, it is imperative that federal nutrition programs provide the fundamental tools to promote lasting health through sound nutritional choices,” said Putnam.

“It is important, though, to put this issue in perspective before we launch into the depths of a growing health problem: How many millions of global citizens outside the United States might watch this hearing with awe and wonder? How many millions of young, malnourished, nursing and pregnant mothers or their children might risk their lives to share in woes such as this? Especially, at a time when 250 million Africans subsist on less than $1 a day. Let us give thanks to God almighty that we are accursed with such good fortune,” said Putnam.

Putnam has introduced bipartisan legislation with wide support from the nutritional community called the Healthy America Act, which would expand and enhance policies that recognize and directly encourage the consumption of nutritionally rich fruits, vegetables and juices as critical to promoting health and preventing an array of chronic diseases.”
 
The U.S. Surgeon General reports that fruit, juice and vegetable consumption are a central part of this commitment to improve health and provide protective effects from most cancers, heart disease and obesity. Unfortunately, most children and adults do not meet the recommended guidelines of five servings a day of fruit and vegetables, with only 15 percent of elementary students and 25 percent of adults consuming the recommended requirement.
 
“It is also important to reemphasize that citrus fruits and juices are full of vitamins and minerals essential to maintaining a healthy diet. The American Cancer Society, March of Dimes and American Heart Association have recognized the important role a balanced diet including citrus fruit and juices may play in helping to reduce the risk of many forms of cancers, birth defects of the brain and spine and heart disease,” said Putnam.

“A growing body of evidence suggests that certain foods containing vitamin C, fiber, folate and other vitamins and minerals may be especially beneficial to maintaining personal wellness.  An eight-ounce glass of orange juice supplies 100 percent or more of the Daily Value for vitamin C, a valuable antioxidant, believed to counteract the harmful molecules may contribute to the onset of several major diseases,” said Putnam.

”Hundreds of studies have been conducted on the nutrients found in citrus fruit, including orange juice, and the role these nutrients play in reducing the risk of such diseases as cancer and heart disease, when part of a low fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables,” Putnam concluded.  “Orange juice and other citrus products, which contain essential vitamins and minerals, are an important part of a healthy diet for all men, women and children, and should play an important part in any federal nutritional program.”

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