http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/01/opinion/the-lethal-american-diet.html 2016-09-30 20:53:36 The Lethal American Diet An obstetrician writes that he spends a lot of time educating patients on diet during pregnancy. === To the Editor: Re “ It has been well documented that the average American diet today has an overabundance of sugar, simple carbohydrates and processed foods, resulting in significant increases in heart disease, diabetes and obesity. In addition to causing these and various other medical problems in our population as it ages, this type of diet can have a profound and deleterious effect on a patient during pregnancy. The increase in maternal mortality in our country over the last 15 years is a direct result of the cumulative effect this sugar-laden, processed food diet has had on our population. Changing this culture will be difficult and will take time. Besides educating patients about the importance of physical activity and healthful dietary choices, our children need to be educated, too. Decreasing their exposure to sugary drinks and processed foods at home and at school will be paramount in helping reverse this disturbing trend. MARK L. DE FAZIO Brooklyn