Whether you're reading an article or watching a news segment on health and nutrition, references are frequently made to the "typical western diet." More often than not, the reference is derogatory, maligning the diets of the western world as unhealthy and obesity-producing. With the global economy and global society pervading western culture, we could hope that a more healthful diet might evolve in the west. But evidence is pointing in the opposite direction, with the western diet having a significant impact on global nutrition.
The Western Diet
The western diet can be summed up in three words: fast processed food. When we talk of the western diet we are really talking about the dietary practices of the United States. The U.S. culture and capitalist economy have driven the evolution of food processing to its current state. The food industry strives to sate our appetite for quick and tasty foods so we can get on with our busy lives of money earning, child transporting and shopping.
Western Nutrition and Disease
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the U.S. tops the charts for global obesity, with BMI scores over 30 double that of Canadians and triple that of Scandinavians. A commentary published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" estimates the number of obesity-related deaths in the U.S. to be close to a quarter-million per year, with more than 64 million Americans afflicted with heart disease. While we can and do try to blame our condition on stress hormones, chemical imbalance or genetics, the bottom line is we in the west are fat and sick because we eat too many calories and get too little exercise.
The Evolution of Processed Food
Thankfully, Americans don't have to shoulder all the blame for the global infestation of processed foods. Food processing began millennia ago with the advent of agriculture, animal husbandry and the ensuant discoveries of fermentation of alcohol and the refining of sugar and oil. Consequently, most global cultures practice some form of food processing. American ingenuity, however, has taken it to a new level with chemical preservatives, hydrogenation of oils and synthetic taste and color enhancers.
Positive Nutrition Trends
While the current state of the western diet seems dismal, sub-cultural trends show some promise. Movements are afoot to improve school lunch programs. Vegetarianism is alive and well, and the demand for and availability of organic unprocessed foods is growing. Even the fast food chains are doing their small part by offering apple slices in their kids' meals and making token gestures of offering a few healthy menu items for adults. Meanwhile, other cultures are embracing western nutrition as fast food chains go global. A 2007 study of 1500 Chinese women found those who consumed a western diet of meat, processed grains and sugar to be at double the risk for breast cancer as their vegetable and soy-eating counterparts.
Implementing Change
One of the great things about western culture is the opportunity and freedom to make choices. Improvements in shipping and packaging enable us to enjoy a year-round abundance of fresh produce from all over the world. Cooking shows abound with tips on the preparation of quick and healthy meals. If we want to preserve the health of our nation and our children, it's up to each of us to make our own western diet healthful and nutritious.
References
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, February, 2005: Origins and Evolution of the Western Diet: Health Implications
- OECD: Health Statistics: Obesity (Most Recent) by Country
- Cordain, Loren, PhD: The Nutritional Characteristics of a Contemporary Diet Based Upon Paleolithic Food Groups
- BBC News: Western Diet Risk to Asian Women
- Coronary Health Improvement Project: How the Western Diet has Changed in Nutrition and Calories
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