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A Harvard study published in this
month's issue of
New England Journal of Medicine
followed 120,877 U.S. women and men
who were free of chronic diseases
and not obese at baseline, with
follow-up periods from 1986 to 2006,
1991 to 2003, and 1986 to 2006. The
relationships between changes in
lifestyle factors and weight change
were evaluated at 4-year intervals.
Within each 4-year period,
participants gained an average of
3.35 lb. On the basis of increased
daily servings of individual dietary
components, 4-year weight change was
most strongly associated with the
intake of potato chips (1.69 lb),
potatoes (1.28 lb), sugar-sweetened
beverages (1.00 lb), unprocessed red
meats (0.95 lb), and processed meats
(0.93 lb) and was inversely
associated with the intake of
vegetables (−0.22 lb), whole grains
(−0.37 lb), fruits (−0.49 lb), nuts
(−0.57 lb), and yogurt (−0.82 lb).
Other lifestyle factors were
also independently associated with
weight change, including physical
activity (−1.76 lb); alcohol use
(0.41 lb per drink per day), smoking
(new quitters, 5.17 lb; former
smokers, 0.14 lb), sleep (more
weight gain with less than 6 or more
than 8 hours of sleep), and
television watching (0.31 lb per
hour per day).
Like a broken
record, this study once again
explains how specific dietary and
lifestyle choices are associated
with long-term weight gain, with a
substantial effect and implications
for strategies to prevent obesity.
Yet, a recent survey of 16,422
people in 17 countries conducted by
Oxfam International has revealed
popular food trends across the
globe, including opinions on
favorite foods, food-related
concerns, and changing diets. And of
course, the world's tastes are
trending towards further
exacerbating the obesity epidemic.
Pizza ranked as the most
favorite food in the United States;
it was chosen by 15.2 percent of the
respondents. Pasta, meat, and rice
are the world's top three food
choices.
Bonnie - while these
statistics can be overwhelming and
depressing, we must continue our
efforts in what we can control: 1)
influence dietary trends by how we
use our dollars (by choosing real,
healthy, and sustainable food); 2)
never give up trying to assist
family, friends, and coworkers in
making the best lifestyle choices.
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This
week's topics:
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