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/HEIGHT2
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 2009- 2010 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 IS THE UNHEALTHY STUFF SO MUCH CHEAPER???
WHY??????
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!