THE WESTERN/AMERICAN DIET – HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT?

HUNGRY PLANET  Peter Menzel (2005)  How many people in the family?  Food types:  Fresh? Processed? Preserved? Variety?  What types of technologies were used to produce these foods?

NORTH CAROLINA

CALIFORNIA

LUXEMBURG

MEXICO: THE CASALES FAMILY OF CUERNAVACA

INDIA: THE PATKARS OF UJJAIN

BHUTAN: THE NAMGAY FAMILY OF SHINGKHEY VILLAGE

EGYPT: THE AHMED FAMILY OF CAIRO

THE MODERN WESTERN DIET  Meat-centered: meat is main course of every meal  processed foods!  Refined grains and sugars  Over-cooked vegetables  Many convenience foods or “fast food”  High fat, salt and sugar contents  Lacking in whole vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains

WHOLE VS. PROCESSED FOODS – A SPECTRUM Potato example Your example

MAJOR HEALTH EFFECTS OF THE MODERN WESTERN DIET  Hypertension- high-blood pressure, can be worsened by over-intake of salt  Heart Disease- gradual malfunctioning of heart due to accumulation of cholesterol from animal and vegetable fats in arteries  Leading cause of death in U.S. and U.K.

MAJOR HEALTH EFFECTS OF THE MODERN WESTERN DIET  Diabetes- high blood sugar, malfunctioning of pancreas. Can lead to blindness, loss of feet/limbs.  Obesity- excess body that may have an adverse effect on health, reduced life expectancy and/or increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers

BMI = WEIGHT/HEIGHT 2

WHY?  In 2011, African American women were 80% more likely to be obese than Non-Hispanic White women.  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders are 30% times more likely to be obese than the overall Asian American population.  In Mexican American children, between the ages 6 and 17, were 60% more likely to be overweight then non- Hispanic White Children.  American Indian/Alaskan Natives are 60 percent more likely to be obese than Non-Hispanic whites.

WHY?????? WHY IS THE UNHEALTHY STUFF SO MUCH CHEAPER???

WHAT IS THIS FAMILY’S DILEMMA?  Can they avoid fast food?  Why is processed food so cheap?  What are their options?

FOOD DESERT: AREA WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD.  In these areas, people may get their food from:  Gas stations  Convenience stores  Fast food outlets

MEXICO: THE CASALES FAMILY OF CUERNAVACA

MEXICO – WORLD’S HIGHEST OBESITY RATE  32.8% Mexico/ 31.8% US  9.2% of Mexican children have diabetes  Coke – 43 gal/person/year – highest rate in the world  2012 – Taxed junk food and soda by 8% (1peso on 1L Coke)  Money used for health programs and to improve drinking water fountains in schools

FOOD FORWARD!