First lady Michelle Obama has launched what she hopes will be her legacy, her "Let's move" campaign aimed at reducing childhood obesity. But as I read about her campaign, I happened to hear a Lars Larson interview of a scientist who has reported on the effects of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in lab rats. It appears that, for unknown reasons, HFCS has a strange effect on neuro-chemistry such that rats eat more than they otherwise would, which of course results in fat rats. Discussion from the scientist, Derek Lowe, is here..

Many people are aware that both Coke and Pepsi use sugar for product made and sold in Mexico, but HCFS in the U.S. But few realize why this is--it's not happenstance, it's politics. In his excellent book from 2006, The Big Ripoff: How Big Business and Big Government Steal Your Money author Timothy Carney details how U.S. sugar growers have created an elaborate web of subsidies, quotas, and regulations that make sugar prices in the U.S. much higher than in most of the rest of the world. Incidentally this has prompted U.S. candy makers to move plants out of the U.S., to both Canada and Mexico, causing the loss of jobs.

The 'first family of sugar' the Fanjuls of Florida, have led the way in generously donating to political campaigns. Alfonso 'Alfie' Fanjul is a loyal Democrat, while brother Jose 'Pepe' handles the Republican end.

Carney relates an interesting tidbit from the Starr report that shows just how much power the Fanjuls wield:

In two infamous episodes in the president's "inappropriate relationship" with Monica Lewinsky, the couple "inappropriately related" while Clinton spoke on the phone to members of Congress. Once, however, President Clinton asked the intern to leave the Oval Office so that he could take a call. The caller was no mere U.S. Representative. It was Alfonso Fanjul, the Florida sugar farmer, who prompted President Clinton to send Monica away. Such is the clout of the Fanjuls.(p. 59).

And Carney goes on to explain the HFCS connection:

corn growers like this deal, too. The artificially high price of sugar has created the market for high fructose corn syrup, which American food and drink makers use where the rest of the world uses sugar. Corn growers also get subsidies, tariff protection, and special tax breaks. (p.62).

Could this be part of the explanation as to why U.S. obesity rates are so high? Judging from the report of scientist Derek Lowe, it is too soon to say for sure, but it looks very much possible that yes, big government gave us big bellies.