Irony...thy name is Americans and their fixation on fat. Two-thirds of Americans are determined to be obese today...yet weight-loss manias have continued to hound Americans for the past 100+ years.
The most recent mania has been the low-carb craze, spawned by Dr. Robert C. Atkins. Last week, Atkins Nutritionals filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection...and declared $301 million in assets and $325 million in liabilities. For the year, Atkins reported a $341 million loss...a stunning decline for a company that changed the face of the American food industry.
"Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution," was first published in 1972, where weight-loss guru claimed that his diet prompted "ketosis," a metabolic state in which fat is burned more efficiently. Since then, his books have sold 20 million copies in more than 20 languages. Additionally, up to 17% of the US population admit to having tried a low-carb diet at some point. When Atkins was at it's peak, fast-food chain Carl's Jr. pushed their lettuce-wrapped Low Carb Six Dollar Burger, Kraft pitched low-carb Oreos, and Frito-Lay jumped on the bandwagon with low-carb Doritos, Tostitos, and Cheetos.
The reversal-of-fortune of Atkins Nutritionals and low-carb diets has been precipitous. Some of this may be related to the apparent hypocrisy of Dr. Atkins' own physical condition. He died in April of 2003, following a nasty fall on the icy sidewalks of Manhattan. Subsequent to his death, a coroner's report revealed that he suffered from: obesity (258 lbs. at the time of his death), hypertension, and heart disease.
A Select History of Dieting in America. Dr. Atkins was hardly the first weight-loss guru in this country. He follows a long line of dietary proponents.
- In the 1830's, the Rev. Sylvester Graham, nicknamed "Dr. Sawdust", rails against gluttony, which he says leads to lust, constipation, and indigestion. His answer is a spartan diet of coarse, yeast-free brown bread (including the Graham cracker), vegetables and water.
- In the 1860's, London undertaker William Banting publishes "Letter on Corpulence," which becomes a bestseller by espousing a low-carbohydrate diet that consists of lean meat, dry toast, soft-boiled eggs and vegetables.
- Also in the 1860's, Dr. James Salisbury promotes a diet of hot water and minced meat patties (Salisbury steaks).
- 1876, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, of the Battle Creek Sanatorium, begins his crusade for vegetarianism, pure foods, slow chewing, calorie counting, colon cleansing, and individualized diets. He invents granola and toasted flakes.
- In 1898, Horace Fletcher begins the slow-chewing movement. After he is denied life insurance because of his weight, Fletcher drops 40 lbs. through a strategy of chewing each mouthful to liquid before swallowing it. His diet is accompanied by the 'Slow Chew Anthem,'..."I choose to chew because I wish to do/The sort of thing that nature had in view."
- 1960's. Mead Johnson introduces Metrecal.
- 1961. Weight Watchers is formed.
- 1960's. Alcohol-friendly, low-carb regimens are touted with the publication of "The Drinking Man's Diet", and "Martinis and Whipped Cream."
- 1978. Herman Tarnower publishes the high-protein Scarsdale diet, of only 700 calories daily. He is killed by his lover in 1980.
- 1992. Atkins publishes a new book that promotes his low-carb, high-fat, high-protein approach, "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution."
Although I haven't built a very good case for it today, I find distinct similarities between the manias around dieting and food...and the manias and fads that continue to crop up in the investing world. At some point in the future, I would like to discuss this topic in greater depth.
Enough for today...though. Ciao!
You can’t change who you are. You can only change what you know and how you apply this knowledge
Posted by: Onitsuka Tiger | February 01, 2012 at 08:56 PM