Processed Food is Killing the World
I read a lot of news articles and scan a ton of websites every day. I have been reading a lot about obesity and its effect throughout the world. America is leading the way, but our actions are now filtering into other countries changing the way people eat. Too bad it is not changing lives in a good way.
Here is a chunk from this Canadian column that I found interesting:
The numbers paint a disturbing picture. The United Nations says there are now more overweight people in the world than starving people. Cardiovascular disease – commonly caused by obesity – kills 17 million people every year. Type II diabetes fatalities are expected to grow by 50 per cent in the next decade.
Obesity is not new, but what’s surprising is that it now plagues the developing world, too. Obesity is on a dramatic rise in poor states, as impoverished locals are increasingly introduced to mass-produced imported food that’s often cheaper than their local fare.
“It’s a huge problem,” says Erin Blanding, a development expert and head of Life in Action, a Toronto-based health and lifestyle program. “Eating unhealthy food is what you do when you are poor.”
Processed food is becoming a staple in the diets of many developing countries, much of it coming from Western factories. Visit a local market in places like Ecuador or Malawi and you’re just as likely to see imported sugary cereals and juices as local produce. Outside, Big Macs are taking the place of traditionally prepared plantains and sweet potato biscuits.
Food high in fat and low in nutrients is cheaply made and easily shipped, which undercuts local prices. But shoppers who cannot afford anything else buy it.
Even rural farmers with access to their own healthy livestock or produce commonly trade what they can for larger quantities of processed food, just to ensure their families have enough to eat.
With this cycle, Blanding explains, “We aren’t giving people the choice to create better and healthier lives for themselves.”
Obesity once was a symbol of Western abundance and indulgence. Today, just as many people are overweight because they are filling their stomachs with whatever they can afford – and what they can afford is making them obese.
8 comments
Yeah, that is definitely true. I live in Chile and they now have a childhood obesity rate that’s higher than in the U.S.
10 years ago it wasn’t like this. There were very few McDonald’s and Pizza Huts, now they’re everywhere. Not good.
It’s shocking that in China they’re opening a new KFC every single day! And unfortunately, the resources to manufacture these foods could have been used to feed the hungry, i.e. most of the grain grown in the world is for feeding livestock instead of people.
love love love this! because it is so very true. I never realized how much processed food was hurting me and my weight loss efforts until I stopped it. not only was my body able to detox from it and I dont crave all that stuff, but I feel better and my weight is coming off steadily. thanks for posting this!
I KNOW!!! It really upsets me, I find it so frustrating…
Oh… I could rant for ages! I think one of the problem is that the new generation (mine!) doesnt know how to cook! I have an overweight friend who thinks she eats healthy… she and her boyfriend live on pre-packaged food and easy to assmble food (ie a jar of ‘just add meat’ sauce) and seriously thinks they have a healthy diet!!
I think we have a huge problem in the western world…. EDUCATION is a good place to start (teach kids and adults how to cook healthy food from scratch, learn about nutrition and what packaged/fast food can do to you).
I also think fresh food and the BASIC essentials should be subsidised by the government so they are affordable. And you know what… I reckon they should tax junk food/fast food to pay for REAL food!!! Maybe the more crap and chemicals they put in the food, the higher thier tax should be!
Ok… better end my rant - thanks for spreading the word about GOOD FOOD!
oops… I just realised I am not the new generation any more! He he he… I am sure you guys know what I mean.
My nanna cooked, my mum cooked… I go out for dinner or cook easy food and avoid the kitchen at all costs!!! My cooking skills are non existient!
oh.. and I forgot my origional comment in the process of ranting!!!
I have noticed a HUGE difference in the size of the people here in Thailnad this time round compared to when I was living her in 1999.
Last time I felt HUGE (fat)… now I sort of blend into the crowd, I often see overweight people and I even occasionaly see very obese people.
Its happening everywhere - its really scary!
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well done, guy
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