Study title and authors:
US adolescent food intake trends from 1965 to 1996.
Cavadini C, Siega-Riz AM, Popkin BM.
Nestle Research Center, Nestec Ltd, Lausanne, Switzerland.
This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10868993
Chilhood obesity tripled from the 1960's to the 1990's. See figure 1 below.
FIGURE 1. Prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents, by age group --- United States, 1963--2008
The figure above shows the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents, by age group, in the United States during 1963-2008. In the United States, childhood obesity affects approximately 12.5 million children and teens (17% of that population). Changes in obesity prevalence from the 1960s show a rapid increase in the 1980s and 1990s, when obesity prevalence among children and teens tripled from nearly 5% to approximately 15%.
The aim of the study was to examine the changing trends in adolescent
(11-18 year olds) food consumption in the United States.
The study found from 1965 to 1996 in adolescents:
(a) Actual total amount of food consumption DECREASED.(b) Fat consumption decreased by 7%.
(c) Saturated fat consumption decreased by 3%.
(d) Carbohydrate consumption increased by 8%.
(e) Grain product consumption rose by 642% in boys.
(f) Grain product consumption rose by 512% in girls.
(g) Soft drinks consumption rose by 164% in boys.
(h) Soft drinks consumption rose by 116% in girls.
To recap: In a 30 year period obesity rates tripled in adolescents.
Actual amounts of food consumption decreased, fat and saturated fat consumption
decreased, carbohydrate consumption increased and grain consumption massively
increased.
What is the official dietary guideline advice from the from
the United States Department of Agriculture?
.........that our diets should emphasize grains and be low in saturated
fat!!!
Can anyone join the dots?
