Americans have a serious problem with obesity, setting the stage for an increased risk of chronic disease. According to the Weight-Control Information Network, 68 percent of Americans are obese or overweight. Men are more likely to have a weight problem than women, with 72.3 percent overweight versus 64.1 percent in women. The Western diet and a lack of regular exercise combine to create a potentially deadly scenario.
Caloric Intake
One of the major factors in obesity is caloric intake. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an adult woman should consume between 2,000 and 2,400 calories daily, depending upon age and activity level. A man should get 2,400 to 2,800 calories. Yet, the average American's caloric intake was 2,700 calories in the year 2000, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA. For sedentary senior women, that represents 35 percent more than the recommended caloric intake.
Dietary Imbalance
The Western diet includes an imbalance of macronutrients, which are nutrients the body requires in greater quantities. The recommended daily allowance for protein is 46 grams for an adult woman, recommends the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meat consumption, for example, increased over 40 percent in 2000 compared to figures from the 1950s, topping 195 pounds per person per year. The average meat consumption for over 30 percent of the world's population is less than 22 pounds per year, explains the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Considerations
Part of the problem with the Western diet leading to obesity is simply a lack of awareness. A 2010 Harris Interactive survey found that 30 percent of overweight individuals don't think they have a weight problem. Moreover, Americans underestimate calorie and fat consumption. A 2006 study in the "American Journal of Public Health" found that respondents underestimated calorie counts and saturated fat levels by one-half.
Effects
The overall effect of the Western diet is an increased risk of chronic diseases. The Obesity Society warns that being overweight increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and medical complications, leading to premature mortality. Once you gain weight, it can be difficult to shed those extra pounds. A 2010 study in the "International Journal of Obesity" found that only one in six Americans was successfully able to maintain long-term weight loss of at least one year.
Potential
More sobering is the prevalence of obesity among children and the potential for more health implications from the Western diet. Over 19 percent of children aged 6 to 11 years of age were obese in 2008, according to a 2010 study published in the "Journal of American Medical Association." A contributing factor is fast food consumption. A 2003 study in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" concluded that children's consumption of fast food increased almost 300 percent between 1977 and 1996. The Western diet may lead these children to a lifetime of obesity.
References
- Harris Interactive: Overweight? Obese? Or Normal Weight? Americans Have Hard Time Gauging Their Weight
- "American Journal of Public Health"; Attacking the Obesity Epidemic: The Potential Health Benefits of Providing Nutrition Information in Restaurants; S Burton et al; September 2006
- "International Journal of Obesity"; Long-Term Weight Loss Maintenance in the United States; J. Kraschnewski et al; May 2010
- "Journal of American Medical Association"; Prevalence of High Body Mass Index in US Children and Adolescents, 2007-2008; C. Ogden et al; January 2010
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Changes in Childhood Food Consumption Patterns: A Cause for Concern in Light of Increasing Body Weights; MP. St. Onge et al; December 2003
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