Lecture 4: Food Culture and Obesity

Question 1

How has the American diet changed since the 1970s?

Answer 1

• More calories, more refined grains, more added sugars, and more added fats
• Reasons behind these trends are largely economic
• Energy-dense foods are rich in starch, sugar, or fat are the cheapest option for consumers
• Highest rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes are found among groups with the highest poverty rates and least education

Question 2

How has obesity evolved over the years?

Answer 2

• Obesity has increased in the U.S. in the past 30 years
• Approx. 60 million adults are now obese
• More than 50% of adults are overweight
• Obesity in children has more than doubled in the last 20 years

Question 3

Obesity

Answer 3

• Having a high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass
• BMI = 30 or higher

Question 4

Body Mass Index

Answer 4

-Measure of an adult’s weight in relation to his/her height
= (weight in lbs x 703) / (height in inches)^2
-Categories: underweight, desirable weight, overweight, obese

Question 5

Why are we getting fat?

Answer 5

• Genetic element to weight gain
• Portion size
• Sedentary/Intense life style
• Food quality

Question 6

Portion distortion

Answer 6

• Size selection has increased (small –> medium)

- Manufacturing is geared toward larger portions (car seats, muffin pans, cup holders)

Question 7

Basal metabolic rate

Answer 7

The average daily amount of energy needed by a body when it’s at rest