Honors Senior Theses/Projects

Date of Award

5-1-2010

Exit Requirement

Undergraduate Honors Thesis/Project

Department

Honors Program

Faculty Advisor

Tom Kelly

Honors Program Director

Gavin Keulks

Language

eng

Abstract

Over the past 30 years, the amount of high fructose corn syrup consumed in the United States has increased. During the same period the diabetes and obesity epidemic ha s emerged and risen to an all -time high. These epidemics are taking large tolls on the individual and on society. The compelling data showing the same upward trend of high fructose corn syrup, type 2 diabetes and obesity can hardly be ignored as many researchers try to uncover the link. Many have stated that the increase in high fructose corn syrup, especially that from soda pop, has lead to the obesity epidemic and from there led to the diabetes epidemic. However, high fructose corn syrup could be directly leading to the diabetes epidemic or the two diseases could be so intertwined that the sweet syrup is causing both to occur. A large extent of research has been done in the area, but no strong evidence has been uncovered to show how the three are related. Much more research, especially on humans in the long -term, is needed to help find more answers. In the mean time, governmental bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the presidential body need to make stronger effort s to reduce the amount of Americans diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or obesity.

Download

Included in

Nutrition Commons

Share

COinS