Few dietary trends have been or are as prominent, prevalent, and
influential as the movement towards dining out in general and fast food
in particular. Dating back as far as the 1940s with the birth of
McDonald's the fast food trend continues unabated today, despite a
modern wave of so-called "health initiatives." In spite of a slew of new
diets, new exercise regimens, and even new lawsuits, statistics
consistently show that the United States population - along with the
populations of many developed countries - is getting fatter by the year.
Causes of the Obesity Crisis
Why is fast food so harmful? The obvious and traditional answer is because of sheer caloric excess. A recent, 15-year study showed that young people between the ages of 18 and 30 who ate at least 2 fast food meals a week were, on average, 10 pounds fatter than those who did not. It's also no secret that fast foods are soaked in oil and fat, saturated with sodium and sugars, and designed with convenience and taste, rather than nutritional value, in mind. However, can this be the only reason?
With the recent trend towards (or at least, lip service towards) healthy lifestyles with managed calorie intakes, frequent exercise, and even target nutrition, one would think that the "obesity epidemic" would be feeling the effects. Statistics, however, show otherwise. While some blame (perhaps rightly) these disappointing numbers not on fat, sugars, or calories, but on the layers of artificial additives on virtually all fast food items, others researchers have begun to look at the fast food trend as part of a larger, social change. In their eyes, modern American culture makes it all but inevitable that diets will fail, people will relapse into unhealthy habits, and the obesity rate will continue to increase.
A Different Point of View
American people today live in an environment where low cost and convenient access often take precedence over nutrition. Television and radio airwaves are replete with advertisements, and billboards are covered with fast food propaganda, but the core of the issue is the public mentality. People are much more likely to dine out than ever before. A disintegrating nuclear family tradition means less gatherings around the dinner table, at least at home. A misunderstanding of what low-carb, low-fat, or low-sodium actually means leads to people rationalizing their unhealthy diets. A steady trend towards larger portion sizes has subtly influenced people to eat more without ever realizing the difference.
And fast food companies may only be partially to blame. Though it is true that fast food restaurants are a prime source for unhealthy food, in another sense these companies are only responding to the economic demands of the American public, according to Rudolph Leibel, an obesity expert from Columbia University. If the public attitude truly changes (that is, in a way more profound than simply hiding behind sham diets, rationalized food choices, fancy catchphrases, or a salad every few days), Leibel argues, the fast food menu will change along with it.
The question, then, is - how does one go about changing one's viewpoint and lifestyle? One way is by circumventing the vicious cycle of relapse and rationalization. Instead of choosing "healthy options" off the local McDonald's menu, eating true home-cooked meals is a much better and sustainable solution. Remember - the key is not how well a diet works in the short run, it's how long you can keep it up in the long run.
Causes of the Obesity Crisis
Why is fast food so harmful? The obvious and traditional answer is because of sheer caloric excess. A recent, 15-year study showed that young people between the ages of 18 and 30 who ate at least 2 fast food meals a week were, on average, 10 pounds fatter than those who did not. It's also no secret that fast foods are soaked in oil and fat, saturated with sodium and sugars, and designed with convenience and taste, rather than nutritional value, in mind. However, can this be the only reason?
With the recent trend towards (or at least, lip service towards) healthy lifestyles with managed calorie intakes, frequent exercise, and even target nutrition, one would think that the "obesity epidemic" would be feeling the effects. Statistics, however, show otherwise. While some blame (perhaps rightly) these disappointing numbers not on fat, sugars, or calories, but on the layers of artificial additives on virtually all fast food items, others researchers have begun to look at the fast food trend as part of a larger, social change. In their eyes, modern American culture makes it all but inevitable that diets will fail, people will relapse into unhealthy habits, and the obesity rate will continue to increase.
A Different Point of View
American people today live in an environment where low cost and convenient access often take precedence over nutrition. Television and radio airwaves are replete with advertisements, and billboards are covered with fast food propaganda, but the core of the issue is the public mentality. People are much more likely to dine out than ever before. A disintegrating nuclear family tradition means less gatherings around the dinner table, at least at home. A misunderstanding of what low-carb, low-fat, or low-sodium actually means leads to people rationalizing their unhealthy diets. A steady trend towards larger portion sizes has subtly influenced people to eat more without ever realizing the difference.
And fast food companies may only be partially to blame. Though it is true that fast food restaurants are a prime source for unhealthy food, in another sense these companies are only responding to the economic demands of the American public, according to Rudolph Leibel, an obesity expert from Columbia University. If the public attitude truly changes (that is, in a way more profound than simply hiding behind sham diets, rationalized food choices, fancy catchphrases, or a salad every few days), Leibel argues, the fast food menu will change along with it.
The question, then, is - how does one go about changing one's viewpoint and lifestyle? One way is by circumventing the vicious cycle of relapse and rationalization. Instead of choosing "healthy options" off the local McDonald's menu, eating true home-cooked meals is a much better and sustainable solution. Remember - the key is not how well a diet works in the short run, it's how long you can keep it up in the long run.
No comments:
Post a Comment