TO THE EDITOR: The ingestion of fructose in the form of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) via soft drinks and prepackaged foods has risen dramatically in the United States. There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of obesity (in both children and adults) and diabetes. From 1977 to 2007, the amount of HFCS consumed per capita annually increased from 9.6 lbs to  56.3 lbs.1 The presence of HFCS in the American food supply is ubiquitous, with fructose representing more than 40% of sweeteners added to prepared foods and beverages, such as non-diet soft drinks.2 Type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), affects 23.6 million people in the United States, or 8% of the population. The prevalence of NIDDM increased 13.5% from 2005 to 2007.3,4 Patients with schizophrenia and other chronic psychiatric disorders are at particularly high risk for developing NIDDM…