It’s undeniable: Americans are fat, and they keep on getting fatter. But why is America’s waistline ballooning up–and what’s to blame?
Until recently, experts theorized that less access to healthier foods, such as vegetables and fruits, was to blame. But now new research published in the journal CA Cancer shows that simply isn’t the case. According to their research, Americans are actually eating a more varied diet, including more fruits and vegetables–but unfortunately, their caloric intake is going up as well.
It also appears Americans are spending less on food, leading researchers to believe cheaper food is causing us to indulge more–not a good combination.
“If you look at the data over time, you actually see a slight increase in exercise,” says Roland Sturm, a senior economist at the RAND Corporation, who co-authored the study. “And Americans have more access to fruits and vegetables. It’s not Southern hospitality that is driving this trend, nor is it income or education. Really nothing protects us from this challenge of obesity.”
According to his data, Americans have been consuming 20 percent more calories than the 1970s, not simply more sugar or processed foods–something that anti-sugar proponents continue to deny. Obviously, eating more calories means you’ll gain more weight; just a 20 percent increase for a 2,000 calorie diet could mean consuming 2,800 extra calories a week.
In addition, Americans aren’t necessarily spending more on their bad eating habits either. According to the data, people in 1930 spent about a fourth of their income on food. Yet now in the 21st century, we only spend around a tenth of our income–something indicating that we’re able to buy more food while spending less money.
This could make it easy to overindulge, say researchers.
“What this article reinforces is that we need to continue our research to find what combination of strategies will be most effective long term in helping all of us live healthier lives,” says Colleen Doyle, director of nutrition and physical activity for the American Cancer Society.
As for a solution for the problem, researchers also note that the availability of fruits and vegetables have increased by up to 27 percent since 40 years ago, so availability isn’t an issue. Instead, researchers say that the issue is making healthier foods more appealing. After all, when you’re rushing through your day and need a quick meal, you don’t reach for a healthy broccoli stir fry–you’re more likely to reach for fries and a burger instead.
Researchers suggest changing our eating behaviors when under pressure may be a better solution.
“When people come over to visit, you offer them a Coke or freshly baked cookies,” says Sturm. “That is the social norm. But maybe in the future we will look at that behavior like we do about public smoking.”
Readers: What are some ways you fit in healthy foods during busy workdays?
Source:
Report: Cheap Food Makes Us Fat? Study Shows We’re Spending Less But Eating More – KTVZ.com
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