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You are here: Home / Archives for obesity

obesity

We’re Still Eating The Wrong Things

August 23, 2019 By EarthWise 1 Comment

A new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has found that despite efforts to increase public awareness of health issues related to diet, the amount of processed meat consumed by Americans has remained unchanged in the past 18 years.  Furthermore, our intake of fish and shellfish has not increased.  One quarter of US adults are still eating more unprocessed read meat than the recommended level, and less than 15% meet the current guidelines for fish and shellfish consumption.

About the only positive note is that Americans are eating less beef and more chicken than they did 18 years ago and, in fact, for the first time, the consumption of poultry exceeds that of unprocessed red meat.

Accumulating evidence has linked excessive consumption of processed meat to increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers.  The study’s authors speculate that public awareness of these linkages is not widespread enough to affect change and, in any case, factors other than health – social, cultural, and economic – have greater influence over Americans’ food choices.  The top five consumed processed meats are luncheon meat, sausage, hot dogs, ham, and bacon.

The low consumption of fish and shellfish among U.S. adults could be due to high retail prices, lack of awareness of the health benefits, and concerns about mercury contamination in certain types of fish.

Future research is needed to identify barriers to reducing processed meat consumption and increased seafood consumption.  Policies such as nutrition quality standards, excise taxes, health warning labels, and other interventions need to be explored.

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Americans still eat too much processed meat and too little fish

Photo, posted January 28, 2014, courtesy of Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

Dietary Diversity And Health

September 26, 2018 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/EW-09-26-18-Dietary-Diversity-and-Health.mp3

For decades, we have heard from public health sources that we should eat a variety of foods.  Dietary diversity is touted as important for health.  However, there has never really been a consensus about what so-called dietary diversity actually  is, how it is measured, or how it necessarily is healthy.

[Read more…] about Dietary Diversity And Health

Air Pollution And Diabetes

August 9, 2018 By EarthWise 3 Comments

https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/EW-08-09-18-Air-Pollution-and-Diabetes.mp3

Air pollution is deadly.  Studies have found that fine particulate matter, such as airborne pieces of dust, dirt, smoke, soot, and other microscopic particles can enter our lungs and bloodstream, contributing to major health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and kidney disease.

[Read more…] about Air Pollution And Diabetes

We Need More Free-Range Kids  

September 4, 2015 By EarthWise

children outdoors

https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/EW-09-04-15-Free-Range-Kids.mp3

Once-upon-a-time, kids were expected to amuse themselves outdoors. Today, fears of shady neighbors and bodily harm have led to a nation of parents who appear content to keep their kids inside, playing computer games, surfing the web, texting, and watching TV.

[Read more…] about We Need More Free-Range Kids  

Obesity And Food Energy Supply

August 13, 2015 By EarthWise

grocery store shelf

https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/EW-08-13-15-Obesity-and-Food-Energy-Supply.mp3

Obesity is a global health problem and is on the rise in many countries.  There are many factors involved in the increasing prevalence of obesity such as increased urbanization, car dependence and sedentary occupations.   Of course, the prime culprit is generally thought to be that we eat too much.

[Read more…] about Obesity And Food Energy Supply

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