Thread by @B_Holmer

Why we got fat - a nice vox article with charts, to help us see that there is no ONE explanation for the epidemics of diabetes/obesity

vox.com/2016/8/31/1236…

#1 - We eat out - a lot (TOO MUCH)

2015 - Americans spent more money eating away from home than they did on groceries. People typically consume 20-40% more calories in restaurants vs. at home

#2 - MORE CALORIES (energy, if you prefer)

Avg. restaurant meal is 4x the size of a typical 1950's meal.

Americans caloric intake in 1970 = 2109 vs. 2568 in 2010

#3 - Soft drink consumption is UP (sugary beverages, in general)

Americans remain the world leaders in per capita sales of soft drinks

Even while soda category is shrinking - juice/sports/energy drink sales are growing

#5 - Healthy food costs more

Economic/social factors make eating enough fruits/vegetables/high quality meat products HARD

Sugar, vegetable oils, refined grains = more "bang for the buck" than fruits/vegetables but are NOT nutrient dense

#5 - The vegetables we DO eat = potatoes and tomatoes

I.e. French fries and ketchup??

2013- potatoes and tomatoes made up 1/2 of the legumes/vegetables available in the US

#6 - Breakfast = DESSERT

1977 - average adult ate 228 cals from sugar vs. 300 in 2010

Added sugar consumption has increased 20% from 1977 in the US (esp. among children)

#7 - #BigFood advertising

Increased marketing of unhealthy food/drink to children corresponds w/ obesity epidemic

60% of advertising in 2014 was dedicated to sweet/savory snacks

Side note. Why tf do we spend so much advertising $$$ on yogurt??

What to do about it??

- Taxation of junk food such as soda?
- Warning labels on food with added sugar?
- Available/affordable "healthy" food options to all Americans, subsidies to poorer areas for fruits/vegetables/high quality foods

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