As the nation celebrates the liberation of Burger King from the chains of trans-fat and the Senate awaits the food industry's ideas for self-imposed restrictions on advertising to our nation's youth, we learn that the soldiers fighting in Iraq are putting on pounds like a dairy-belt freshmen. Apparently, along with democracy, we've exported our taste for fast foods to Baghdad's green zone. Soldiers there can dine on the finest American-style fried chicken, burgers, pastries, cheese steaks, and sodas. The Army & Air Force Exchange Service there operates outlets for Burger King (NYSE: BKC) , Pizza Hut and KFC (Yum Brands, NYSE: YUM).
According to a Los Angeles Times report, military doctors report some soldiers return to the States with a serious cholesterol problem and the "Baghdad 15" due to the ready supply of trans-fat rich foods. In response to the problem, they have created a diet program called "Operation Weight Loss" for the soldiers.
Those interested in better understanding this issue might check out a new web game, Fatworld! As described in Wired Magazine, the game allows participants to play the role of restaurant magnates, enjoying along with their customers "food allergies, diabetes, heart disease, and death".
I'll wait for the Wii version, where I can race my wife to see who can scoop up the most dip with virtual tortilla chips.
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