Surprising stats: Americans are less healthy than we were 20 years ago

From the Community…

• 
  Posted by Katie B Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:37am PDT

  Why is this so surprising? We have known this for at least 10 years... I was 7 in 1988 and I don't think I ever remember my mom cooking hamburger helper until well into the 90's... I don't think it's even a case of health food vs junk food so much as how much are we trying to rush our meal times... now, I am not a dietician or a medical professional but in my observation it seems like we are more worried about the time that is "wasted" on cooking and eating a well balanced meal than the nutrition itself... We are more likely to buy meals that are "fast" and "convenient" because they are just that plus "cheap" than we are to spend a few extra dollars on the same but natural ingredients and spend a few more minutes putting it together... :/

  One can look at societal trends and (again in my non-scientific observation) see a loose correlation with obesity trends...

  What amazes me is while other states where seeing raises in their obesity rates Colorado was the ONLY state in the last four years to stay in a lower catagory.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by opiniononly Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:30am PDT

  This is not a surprise. We eat unhealthy foods, don't exercise, don't make time to relax, recharge and play. We allow too much stress in our lives, have significantly raised the levels of obesity at all ages, still drink, drug and don't get enough sleep.

  The only surprising part of this article is that the author thinks the information is a surprise.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Rebekah Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:40am PDT

  It's pretty simple, really. Unhealthy food is cheaper, easier to fix, and more readily available. And,unfortately, full of sugars and salt, both natural mood boosters that make unhealthy food make us feel good, if only in the short-term. And as our bodies get used to the unhealthy food, it becomes harder and harder to readjust to healthy food.

  Of course, there's also the social element to it. The recession shouldn't really have surprised anyone, as it's been decades in coming. There was a time when a single person working at an entry-level job that didn't require any particular degree (say a clerk at a grocery store), could support not only himself, but his family too. These days the same man probably works two jobs, and his wife works too, and they still have problems making ends meet. And which of them has time to cook a large, intricate meal when they could drive by Micky D's or pop something in the microwave? They're exhausted not only physically, but emotionally, which is much more draining. Health ends up taking a backseat to expedience.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Leah Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:23am PDT

  I'm not sure that unhealthy food is always cheaper, I think people believe that it is. I just glanced at my Kroger sale paper to get an idea of prices this week. The unhealthy snacks: Nestle cookie dough 13oz package- $2.49, Sun Chips 10-12oz bag $2.79

  Healthy snacks: Peaches- $1.29 a pound, Organic Cameo apples $1 a pound, Grapes $1.99 a pound.

  Even though these are ready to eat snacks (fruits, carrots etc) people are usually willing to pay more for convenience and they are paying with the health along with the pocket book.

  If you want to save money buying a chicken and baking it is better than stopping at KFC, despite what their commercial from last year wanted you to believe.

  People don't take time to cook and eat healthy, to exercise, to find something better to do than sit on the porch and drink beer. And when it comes to kids, playing outside or riding bicycles is a lot cheaper than a Wii or Xbox and each $50 game.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Rebekah Fri Jun 12, 2009 1:27pm PDT

  Wow, those are really low prices for fruit--its much more expensive around here! In fact, over the past couple of years, the cost of fresh fruit and veggies has skyrocketed in my area. I buy fruit every week, but it certainly hurts my pocket book.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Lizbeth Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:01am PDT

  I think it could be an inflated sense of entitlement stemming from deep anger, resentment and frustration at the disapearing upward mobility that was once a believable reality in this country. The masses are feeling hopeless, forgotten, preyed upon and spit out by our society and they are looking to the fastest, cheapest, easiest ways to feel good(none of which is a new concept); thus they are buying Taco Bell, Wal-Mart, basement boob-jobs and McMansions, all on borrowed money, that they then, cannot find ways to pay back.

  Having worked with populations of people diagnosed with Depression and other 'conditions', I understand that when people feel hopeless or hurt, they are more likely to feel entitled and for some reason, they feel entitled to quick fixes (thus, hurting themselves more-like reaching for a knife instead of a band-aid) and find no real hope in investing in themselves in positive ways.

  Quantity always seems to outweigh quality; 5,000 screaming babies instead of one, well cared for child, 4,000 empty square feet instead of 1,200 square, furnished, feet. The same goes with food too.

  There seems to be an overall, instatiable need for MORE. This bottomless pit, collective, empty, soul that just keeps wanting.

  Here's why; until we learn how to properly nourish ourselves from the inside out (with intangiables like love and acceptance and forgivness)no amount of anything is going to fill that seemingly endless, void. I promise you that all the cupcakes and Diet Coke in the world cannot heal it.

  So, I guess you could say that I think the food and weight problem in this country is a mind/body crisis. Instead of dealing with our problems and finding pro-active solutions, both for our bodies and our communities, we are simply consuming new kinds of 'drugs' in ever increasing quatities; Prozac, chicken wings, boxed wine, televsion, mocha lattes, Klonapine, Burger King and a side of gastric bypass.

  I don't think there's anything new in the human condition, I just think we have some new, equally poor, choices available to us and social acceptability guidelines have changed accordingly.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Cranberry Lips Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:49pm PDT

  Not to mention that the fruits and veggies we eat today are 20% less nutritious than they were 50 years ago. That's what we get for wanting bright red apples and crispy lettuce.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Debbie Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:11pm PDT

  I agree, Cranberry, everything's not as authentic as it was decades ago..sadly.

  <a href="http://inmodernliving.com/">In Modern Living</a>

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by raja Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:18am PDT

  nature is good artificial is bad

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Habanero♥™ Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:10am PDT

  Even if we forget about how food is processed these days as opposed to 30 years ago, our modes of transportation have quadrupled.

  You can't go into a grocery store and not see children being pushed around in those cute little car grocery carts.

  The Walmart that I HAVE to buy certain things in have huge women in their 40's waiting for the motorized carts to shop with.

  I was raised in a family of 8 with 1 car. My mother shopped with all of us. We lived 1/4 mile from the grocery store and we all walked with her except the newborn.

  I see 3 and 4 year old kids still being pushed around by parents at carnivals and parades. Most of these kids are overweight and everyone of them is eating something.

  In this day when all kids have a plethora of sports and dance to choose from WHY are they so fat? Why do parents bring food,or a 5-6 year old, to an hour long soccer game? Can they not go without food for 1 hour?

  I beg everyone to see the movie, FOOD, INC. If it is not out yet in your theaters, it will be next week.

  PLEASE SEE IT !!!!!!!!!!

  Report Abuse