--Marian Nestle from Food Politics
 |
| Hydroponic farmer Alex Gomez talks with kids and a Rotary Club volunteer attending a Growing Healthy Kids' workshop. |
Obesity is
the elephant in the room. We act as if it's not there. We don’t talk about it. We tiptoe without
saying a word. The prevalence of obesity
among adults in the U.S. was 42.4% in 2017-2018. The prevalence of obesity in children ages 2-19 was 18.5% in 2015-2016, or almost 1 in 5 kids. Obesity rates, especially
severe obesity, are still on the rise. Obesity-related
conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of
cancer.
Every time I
get into my car to drive to grocery stores to get the foods I need and want for my
family and for my healthy cooking classes, I know how fortunate I am. I
have a car and can go where I want. I am aware of the foods that promote health, not disease. Many
people live in neighborhoods that are food deserts and lack transportation of
their own to travel to full-service grocery stores. So their only choice is buying ultra-processed
foods, often at inflated prices, from the neighborhood store, foods that promote disease, not health.
Buying and
eating highly processed foods contributes to poor health outcomes. Processed foods often contain little or no
dietary fiber, a key element in achieving satiety, preventing overeating, and regulating
blood sugars. Check the ingredient list
on any "food" that comes in a box or package.
If there are more than 5 ingredients, consider selecting something else
with less ingredients. Minimally
processed foods do not contain dozens of ingredients.
As the
weather warms and farmers begin harvesting their crops, this is a great time to
start planning how locally grown vegetables, together with fruits,
legumes (beans and lentils), and whole grains can be central to what you eat. A
plant-based way of eating is proven to get to you a healthy weight as well as to control and reverse diabetes for most people.
Think of what you can do to redecorate when the elephant is out of the
room!
With love,
Nancy
Heinrich, MPH
Founder and
Wellness Architect
Growing
Healthy Kids, Inc.
