Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
HEALTHIER CHOICES
The diet of a typical American is often weighted toward unhealthy choices . We get more than the recommended daily limits on calories derived from added sugars , refined grains and solid fats . These diets also exceed recommended levels of sodium and saturated fat . Often times , the problem is simply the result of dietary choices . We don ’ t eat enough fresh vegetables , fruits and whole grains . As a result , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the nationwide obesity rate has doubled since 1990 .
SMALLER PORTIONS
Average daily intake keeps rising , by hundreds of calories , even as we produce a surplus of available food for consumption . Often times , the extra calories are derived from very familiar places : fast-food restaurants . These franchises have more than doubled since the 1970s . The problem is made worse by an over-reliance on processed and packaged foods , coupled with sugary drinks . They ’ re more often consumed by those from so-called “ food
deserts ,” where millions of Americans — including their vulnerable children – live too far away to regularly shop at a supermarket .
FOCUS POINTS
Sodium intake continues to be a huge issue in America , with many adults consuming more than 1,000 milligrams a day above the federal guidelines . Total fat intake has also skyrocketed , doubling since 1980 . Blame often goes to soda , dairy and grain desserts , pizza and fried foods , but there aren ’ t always convenient choices to eat healthier . That ’ s led to a focus on correcting food deserts , and in addressing the growing number of families who suffer from food insecurity .
In the meantime , West Virginia ( 38.1 %), Mississippi ( 37.3 %), and Oklahoma ( 36.5 %) had the highest obesity rates , while the least obese places were led by Colorado ( 22.6 %) the District of Columbia ( 23 %) and Hawaii ( 23.8 %), according to the CDC . Even though Coloradoans fare best , those numbers are still up 7.6 % since 1990 . hm
Spring 2023 • Health Matters 9