Obesity Epidemic: Sugar Exec Paid Researchers in 60s to Downplay Risks

by Josh Guckert

Historical documents reported Monday by JAMA Internal Medicine suggest that in the 1960s, a sugar executive paid off Harvard researchers to downplay links to heart disease. One of those researchers eventually became the head of nutrition at the Department of Agriculture. In that role, he was able to influence current dietary guidelines, including the promotion of a low-fat, high-sugar diet. Many now believe such a diet has led to the current obesity epidemic.

The authors of the article continued on to say, “These findings, our analysis, and current Sugar Association criticisms of evidence linking sucrose to cardiovascular disease suggest the industry may have a long history of influencing federal policy.” The Sugar Association acknowledged that it “should have exercised greater transparency in all of its research activities.”

For libertarians, this demonstrates a perfect example as to why government should not be involved in such critical research. By opening the door for state involvement, individuals may be corrupted by outside influence. Such cronyism is only possible if government engulfs itself in a particular area. Conversely, a private company has accountability to consumers, and can be punished by the market accordingly.

Though Harvard may represent more of a market actor in this instance, the more important designation is when the government became involved in dietary policy. This is particularly noteworthy when such policies are also promoted throughout government-run schools, hospitals and other facilities, all of which are pervasive throughout American culture. Some even modest attempts at decentralization could blunt attempts to persuade government policy, as demonstrated in this instance.