Standard American Diet

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[edit] Obesity and the American Diet

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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Western pattern diet . (Discuss)

The American obesity problem has been growing exponentially in the last thirty years. One of the largest reasons for its increase is the increase in driving. In a phenomenon known as urban flight large populations of Americans have moved to the suburbs. The layout of suburban America is much more conducive to driving. “Land-use mix had the strongest association with obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2), with each quartile increase being associated with a 12.2% reduction in the likelihood of obesity across gender and ethnicity. Each additional hour spent in a car per day was associated with a 6% increase in the likelihood of obesity. Conversely, each additional kilometer walked per day was associated with a 4.8% reduction in the likelihood of obesity.” (Frank, 2004)

Another reason that Americans are more prone to use cars is that the layout of cities and suburbs are not conducive to bike riding. Other cities in developed countries have made great efforts to make bike riding a safe way of traveling throughout the city. As a result only 6% of urban travel is done by biking in America whereas over 20 and 45% of urban travel is done by bike elsewhere. Americans have long been known to have longer work weeks than their European counterparts.^{[dubious – discuss]} The average American’s work week is ten hours longer than an average European’s.^{[citation needed]} This hard working lifestyle often leads to rushed meals, and it is these rushed meals that force Americans to eat quick and unhealthy foods.^{[dubious – discuss]}

Lastly, Americans do not put the same kind of emphasis on meals as do many other countries. In countries such as Italy and Spain the importance of the meal is very significant. They use more fresh ingredients, which are healthier, and also take a longer time enjoying the meal. When one eats slower it is proven that they need to eat less than someone who is eating very quickly to feel full.^{[citation needed]}

In conclusion, it is not just fast food that is making Americans overweight, it is the factors that encourage Americans to eat fast food that is causing this obesity epidemic.

[edit] See also

Western pattern diet

[edit] References

Ferro-Luzzi, A., & Branca, F. (1995). Mediterranean diet, Italian-style: Prototype of a healthy diet. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 61(6 Suppl), 1338S-1345S.
Fieldhouse, P. (1995). Food and nutrition:: customs and culture Nelson Thornes.
Frank, L. D., Andresen, M. A., & Schmid, T. L. (2004). Obesity relationships with community design, physical activity, and time spent in cars. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 27(2), 87-96.
Mokdad, A. H., Serdula, M. K., Dietz, W. H., Bowman, B. A., Marks, J. S., & Koplan, J. P. (1999). The spread of the obesity epidemic in the United States, 1991-1998.
Pucher, J., & Dijkstra, L. Making walking and cycling safer: Lessons from Europe.
Robinson, J. P., Godbey, G., & Jacobson, A. J. (1999). Time for life:: The surprising ways Americans use their time. Penn State Press.