Obesity and the Need for Cultural Dietary Changes

Obesity is an interesting and complex issue in the United States, and a growing issue at an international level. We understand the negative complications of obesity among all ages, but my larger concern is with children and young adults. There will be a large cultural impact due to the high prevalence of sick and disabled people linked to obesity. Children will by dying before their elderly parents, obese adults will be unable to be active with their children, and the habits that these children/young adults have now will most likely translate to continued unhealthy lifestyles with future generations. (2)

We can simply see this effect today in various cultural regions. Those in the Southern area of the United States rely heavily on meats, butter, and high-fat “comfort-foods”. Not surprisingly, these areas have some of the highest rates of obesity. The diet and lifestyles of the South are translated to newer generations and the problem persists. Another example of a culture facing high obesity rates are Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. They consistently use baked beans (made with lard) and buttered tortillas with every meal. Traditionally, Mexicans avoided using high-fat additives. These additives have only made an appearance in Mexican/Mexican-American diets in the last few decades, presumably due to increasingly easy access and relative low cost. (2)(3)

One very common theme with obesity and general unhealthy diets is the increased amounts of meat eaten on a regular basis. As we all understand, the United States consumes an unsustainably high level of meat every year. The disastrous environmental effects from industrial meat farms continues to grow. Beyond the fact that these farms are inhumane (animals do feel pain, sense fear, and know misery), they essentially fill their animals with chemicals and steroids. I understand that people cannot and will not just switch to a vegetarian or vegan diet in order to protect the environment. However, it is absolutely reasonable to promote one day a week to being vegetarian. 

But what if someone really becomes a vegetarian? Does it make that much of a difference? What are the impacts of the meat industry? This inspired me to research how beneficial giving up meat really is. By going vegetarian, we can help prevent global warming, rainforest destruction, and pollution, while saving water and other precious resources. In fact, raising animals for food produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all of the cars, planes, and other forms of transportation combined. By switching to a diet free of meat, dairy, and eggs, you will be saving 50% more carbon emissions than driving a Prius. Raising animals for food (including land used for grazing and growing feed crops) now uses 30% of the Earth’s land mass. In the United States, 70% of the grain grown is fed to farmed animals. Nearly 80% of land deforested in the Amazon is now used as cattle pasture. To produce one pound of animal protein vs. one pound of soy protein, it takes about 12 times as much land, 13 times as much fossil fuel, and 15 times as much water. Imagine if this land was used to grow food for human consumption instead, or even replace the lost trees that would help decelerate global warming. (1)

Of course even with the most expensive and aggressive health campaigns, changing people’s diets is an almost unimaginable goal. Campaigns can help educate individuals, but how can we address the desire of people who want to eat what they like? I would propose that political and social leaders need take a stronger stance and pass legislation limiting advertisement and regulating where high-calorie foods are sold. For example, it is extremely common for businesses and schools alike to have vending machines filled with unhealthy snacks and drinks. Legislation can easily dictate that these unhealthy options cannot be sold on school campuses or in government buildings. There is the argument that individuals should have the freedom to choose, however, they can still obtain these options outside of school or work. It would simply make choosing healthier foods/drinks an easier option. 

(1) Eshel, Martin (2006) Diet, Energy, and Global Warming. The Journal of Earth Interactions. 10(9). 2-17

(2) Flegal et al. (2010) Prevalence and Trends in Obesity Among US Adults, 1999-2008. The Journal of the American Medical Association. 330(3). 235-241

(3) WHO (2000) Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. World Health Organization Publication. 1-10