more nutritious, are becoming a thing of Another food environment factor: how obesity crisis is beginning to mount. The
the past,” claims Dunn. portion size affects consumption. results of a September 2008 Nielsen
Research shows that people eat more survey in 52 countries conclude that
And, sadly, nutritious meals prepared at when given larger portions, and portion there is a global trend in working to
home are expensive – often more sizes in restaurants and in packaged improve health through better diet and
expensive than junk or convenience foods have grown from moderate to exercise. But, the trend takes different
foods. “Overweight and obesity are more monstrous. That 20- ounce cola you grab forms in different regions. If you’re older
prevalent in the poor,” says Dunn. “The from the vending machine at work? It is than 40 and you live in Japan, for
reason may be in the fact that foods that the same product that used to be sold in example, your waistline is checked at
are cheap to manufacture are typically 6.5 ounce bottles. And a “small” fry at work each year. If the measurement
high in calories. Fruits and vegetables McDonald’s today is what this fast food exceeds the national standard of 33.5
are becoming quite expensive, pushing restaurant used to call “large” in years inches for men (the average waist size
shoppers towards cheaper, but more past. for men in the U.S. is 39) or 35.4 inches
obesity-generating foods,” he adds. for women (average U.S. woman’s waist
With all the calories we take in these is 36.5) – you’re required by law to lose
Fast foods as well as snack foods are days, we expend relatively little energy. weight. If this doesn’t happen within three
also more heavily promoted than healthy Instead of burning calories hunting for months, you’re sent for aggressive
foods like fruits and vegetables – food as our predecessors did (or even dietary counseling.
especially to children. According to the just gardening), we grab something while
Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, out or simply take out a box and pop it Sounds ludicrous? Perhaps, but because
food and beverage industries spent $15 into the microwave. Television, the Japanese government has attached
billion marketing products to children in computers, video games and other financial penalties for those companies
2004; at least a third of those advertising sedentary activities have taken the place whose employees fail to meet national
dollars were spent on food advertising, of much of our outdoor recreation; cars weight standards, there’s a greater
particularly for sugared breakfast cereals, have replaced bicycles and feet for motivation to comply. Too, nobody wants
fast foods, soft drinks, snacks and candy. transportation, and we often choose to be singled out as the cause of an
What is more, the use of celebrity and elevators over stairs. And in many areas, exorbitant company fine.
cartoon characters, free gifts and toys it’s not safe for children to play outdoors
and movie tie-ins to market these – even if they wanted to. As for other countries, there are a variety
products, all add to the overall appeal of fat-fighting strategies being employed
and fuels children’s “pester power” – or
the ability to influence parental
Global Concern
– with varying degrees of success.
Sweden has eliminated all advertising
purchases.
The good news is that concern about the
directed toward children less than 12
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