Barry Popkin, one of the world’s experts on obesity and the “nutriiton transition”, and a Professor of Nutrition at the University of NC Chapel Hill, has just come out with a book called ‘The World is Fat’. I have yet to read the book but I have read many of his publications and articles. Popkin is known for bringing to light some scary realities about how obese we as a society have become – with 1.3 billion at least overweight – and the impact of obesity on our health and economic systems. Yikes. The Population Reference Bureau interviewed him here and there are some good slides that accompany his views.
Popkin describes the nutrition transition as follows:
“Large shifts have occurred in dietary and physical activity and inactivity patterns. These changes are reflected in nutritional outcomes, such as changes in average stature and body composition. Modern societies seem to be converging on a pattern of diet high in saturated fat, sugar, and refined foods and low in fiber – often termed the “Western diet.” Many see this dietary pattern to be associated with high levels of chronic and degenerative diseases and with reduced disability-free time.”
What are we going to do as a society to tackle this ever increasing prevalence of obesity? Ban softdrinks? Tax food? Whatever we do, we are in for the long haul in paying for huge medical bills of the many who will suffer from the repercussions of obesity – heart disease, diabetes, stroke and all the rest.
