In class we discussed metabolism and how it involves energy production, energy release, and growth (2). We also discussed metabolic rates and the average caloric consumption for average males and females. We also talked about if you consume too many calories, you run the risk of gaining weight and if you continually consume more calories than you burn, you can gain so much weight that you are overweight. I came upon this paper discussing obesity.
Many studies are being conducted to determine the main causes of obesity, but there are few studies that look at regions in the United States. According to the 2005 dietary guidelines, this paper contrasted fruit/vegetable consumption, physical activity, and foods that our bodies cannot digest, termed discretionary calories in Los Angeles County and Souther Louisiana (1).
They "conducted a cross-sectional survery in 228 urban census tracts in Los Angeles County (LAC) and Souther Louisiana (SL) and estimated calories in the past 24 hours from fruit, vegetables, cookies, candy, salty snacks, sweetened soda, and alcohol among 2,767 people" (1). Ther results of the paper calculated the average intake of those calories to be 438 in LAC and 617 calories in SL (1). According to this paper, the average discretionary calories should not exceed 267 and the mean consumption for fruit and vegetables fell 10% short in LAC and 20% in SL (1).
In class we discussed chemorecptors found on the tongue and how they are responsible for taste (3). From this article, it appears that some of the population finds that these foods are more favorful and better tasting. Since taste is often associated with smell, it appears that the smell of vegetables is correlated to their taste and maybe people find the smell and taste less desirable than snack foods (3). This same topic was discussed last night on 20/20 and they interview chemists and manufactures that are responsible for making such food addicting. The chemists and manufactures said that they try to create a product that heightens your sense of smell and taste and they try to make it so you keep craving it and you keep purchasing it.
However, fruits and vegetables are essential to our diet. Vitamin absorption occurs in the small intestine and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are carried by micelles (4). Vitamin A is in fruits and vegetables such as mangos and broccoli. Vitamin D is found in mushrooms and vitamin E is found in cranberries and parsnips. Vitamin K is also found in blueberries, plums, adn okra.
"In contrast, campaigns, addressing obesity have encouraged people to consume more fruit, vegetables, and low-fat foods in lieu of recommending abstinence from any specific food " (1). Even though Americans have increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables, they have also increased their consumption of foods high in carbohydrates. As we learned in physiology, these carbohydrates are broken down into a more usable form called glucose, but if we consume excess carbohydrates, they are stored as glycogen and fatty acids.
Obesity is an issue that will continue to exist. Emphasis should be placed on making fruits and vegetables addictive versus snack foods and daily intake of calories should be lower or not exceed daily output.
References:
1. Cohen, Deborah A.; Sturm, Roland; Scott, Molly; Farley, Thomas A.; Bluthenthal, Ricky. Not Enough Fruit and Vegetables, or Too Many Cookies, Candies, Salty Snacks, and Soft Drinks? Public Health Rep. Jan-Feb 2010; 125: 1-8
2. Metabolism Lecture
3. Sensory Transduction Lecture
4. Digestive System: Organization and Function/ Nutrient Digestion and Absorption
It is interesting that smell can lead to addictive qualities of snack food. Although it is no surprise that snack foods are a culprit when it comes to obesity, could it be possible that there are some other factors that truly influence this? An article from Obesity Research suggests that worldwide trends show us that there are factors that can lead to obesity that are determined at a young age. It has been found that if a child is born underweight or experiences childhood growth stunting they are then at higher risk for becoming obese (James et al. 2001). Another study also suggests similar data that fetal factors as well as growth factors during the first year of life can lead to childhood and then adult obesity (Deckelbaum and Williams 2001). Even though the studies do not conclude the reason why these low birth rates quorate with individuals being more at risk, it is possible that the famine experience at a young age can lead to neurological change making foods higher in carbohydrates and fats more appetizing. It has also been concluded that those stricken by poverty around the world, even in the developing countries, makes an individual more at risk for obesity (James et al. 2001). Even with the modern research surrounding Obesity there still seems to be many factors at play that will determine whether an individual is at risk but one thing is for sure, physiologically making snack foods more attractive, addictive, and appetizing then natural foods is a step in the wrong direction for the fight against obesity.
ReplyDeleteRichard J. Deckelbaum and Christine L. Williams (2001). Childhood Obesity: The Health Issue. Obesity Research. 9, s239–S243; doi: 10.1038/oby.2001.125
Philip T. James, Rachel Leach, Eleni Kalamara, and Maryam Shayeghi (2001). The Worldwide Obesity Epidemic. Obesity Research. 9, s228–S233; doi: 10.1038/oby.2001.123