Do you consider yourself an expert in the field of nutrition and diet? Try again. It's impossible to dispute with the data indicating a steady increase in obesity rates among American adults over the past four decades.
A shocking 32% of American adults were overweight in 2007, up from 15% in 1970. Many Americans certainly lost sight of healthy eating and nutrition during this nearly 40-year span.
So, now that we can see that there is an issue, the question is how to start addressing it. Don't flawed dietary and nutritional beliefs help explain the current disaster? It's a yes to your inquiry.
Is the advent of cutting-edge technology to blame for our demise?
An ideological shift in how Americans view food and eating—also known as diet and nutrition—has been a primary factor in our nation's weight growth.
Looking back at the 1970s through the lens of history might shed some light on what went down then.
Once WWII ended, the United States was still saddled with a massive industrial capacity that served no practical use any more because the country no longer needed to produce bullets or aeroplanes. Furthermore, due to the difficulties encountered on the battlefield, World War II inspired scientists to develop cutting-edge new technologies. A lot of the military's industrial and scientific prowess went into the civilian sector after the war. Hence, a great deal of previously unimaginable merchandise entered the hands of ordinary Americans. Fast food was one such product, and talk of healthy eating habits and balanced nutrition all but disappeared.
Understanding the "Fat" Truth About Fast Food
Although the term "fast food" is most commonly associated with drive-through eateries, it can also refer to pre-prepared foods like those found in the freezer section of your local supermarket.
Unfortunately, diet and nutrition were not regarded that vital so that these meals could be sold to consumers at prices that make them desirable, and remain fresh for months after they were prepared.
The increase in obesity rates in the United States coincides with the widespread acceptance of these ready-to-eat meals. Americans' ballooning waistlines were an early indicator of the success of marketers' campaigns touting ready-made products as the panacea to the time-consuming task of preparing meals.
Inverting the Numbers...
An obvious follow-up question is how to stop this downward spiral. It's actually not as hard to figure out as you may imagine. Think about your diet and what you're putting in your body. Also, while you're at it, try spending a little extra time in the kitchen. Instead of grabbing something from the freezer, why not try making dinner from scratch with some fresh ingredients?
Making the switch is simple; all it takes is a shift of perspective regarding how diet and nutrition have been vitamins men to you.
BistroMD is a national leader in the delivery of healthy, tasty meals to your house, and Amanda Paul is the company's writer and content manager.