The Science Behind Junk Food Addiction and the Global Obesity Crisis

th1t9d8i

Do you know why junk food is so addictive? Are you craving sweets yet? If you've ever wondered why junk food can be so addictive, you're not alone. In the modern world, our food environment is filled with tempting sugary, salty, and fatty treats that seem almost impossible to resist. But have you ever stopped to think about the consequences of indulging in these highly processed foods?

Today, around 42% of adults in the US are obese, and the rate of obesity is on the rise among children, too, with one in five kids considered obese by doctors. But this isn't just an American problem; it's a global issue. Since 1975, obesity rates have tripled worldwide, presenting a significant challenge to public health systems everywhere.

Science Behind Junk Food Addiction

On the Chicago Booth Review Podcast, renowned nutrition and food studies experts like Marion Nestle delve into the science of nutrition and food politics. They shed light on why these unhealthy foods are so addictive and discuss the dire health implications they bring. Junk foods, or "ultra-processed" foods, are designed to be irresistibly delicious, making it hard for people to stop eating them.


 Get The Latest By Email

Weekly Magazine Daily Inspiration

Additionally, the calorie density of these foods plays a role in their addictive properties. Ultra-processed foods are highly caloric, and humans are naturally drawn to high-calorie products, leading to overeating without realizing it. As portion sizes increase and food marketing becomes more aggressive, people find it challenging to control their consumption, contributing to the obesity epidemic.

Politics and The Food Industry

Marion Nestle, a prominent critic of the food industry, points out that corporations prioritize profit over public health. Food companies invest massive amounts of money into advertising and marketing, pushing people to eat more of their products, even if it means sacrificing their health. The results of studies funded by these companies often favor the funders' interests, highlighting the need for independent research and unbiased information.

Furthermore, government policies and agricultural subsidies influence the foods produced and promoted. In the US, for instance, much corn goes into animal feed or fuel, not for human consumption. This skewed system contributes to an unhealthy food environment, making it more challenging for people to make healthier choices.

Solutions for a Healthier Future

While some propose pharmacological solutions, like drugs to assist with weight loss, Nestle emphasizes the need for systemic changes. Repealing the Supreme Court's decision on Citizens United, which allows corporations to fund election campaigns without disclosure, and changing the way Wall Street evaluates corporations based solely on profits, could pave the way for better public health policies.

At the same time, nutrition experts encourage individuals to focus on simple guidelines—eat real food, maintain reasonable body weight, and consume plenty of plant-based foods. By following this advice, we can promote healthier lifestyles and contribute to the fight against the global obesity crisis.

Junk food addiction and the rising obesity rates are complex issues that require a multifaceted approach to address effectively. By understanding the science behind the addictive properties of unhealthy foods and recognizing the role of food politics in shaping our food environment, we can take steps towards a healthier future. Whether through government policies or individual choices, a concerted effort is needed to create a world where health and well-being precede corporate profits.

About the Author

Robert Jennings is co-publisher and webmaster of InnerSelf Publications, which includes InnerSelf.com, PolyConundrum.com, ArticleIndex.com, MightyNatural.com and more. The aforementioned are dedicated to sharing information that allows people to make educated choices in their personal life and for the well-being of the planet.

books_food

AVAILABLE LANGUAGES

English Afrikaans Arabic Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Danish Dutch Filipino Finnish French German Greek Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Malay Norwegian Persian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Spanish Swahili Swedish Thai Turkish Ukrainian Urdu Vietnamese

follow InnerSelf on

facebook icontwitter iconyoutube iconinstagram iconpintrest iconrss icon

 Get The Latest By Email

Weekly Magazine Daily Inspiration

Wednesday, 05 May 2021 08:15

While our immune system and antibiotics both do a great job of helping us fight life-threatening infections, the emergence of antibiotic resistance is quickly making it more difficult to cure...

Sunday, 02 May 2021 08:18

When you think about soil, you probably think of rolling fields of countryside. But what about urban soil? With city dwellers expected to account for 68% of the world’s population by 2050, this oft...

Wednesday, 19 May 2021 08:07

For many people, the thing they’ve missed most during the pandemic is being able to hug loved ones. Indeed, it wasn’t until we lost our ability to hug friends and family did many realise just how...

Monday, 24 May 2021 08:28

There are many valid theories to explain the global appeal of cats, including our obsession with watching videos of them online. In terms of cats’ pure entertainment value, however, our...

Tuesday, 25 July 2023 17:28

Certain foods or dietary patterns are linked with better control of your asthma. Others may make it worse. Depending on what you’ve eaten, you can see the effects in hours.

Thursday, 06 May 2021 00:51

Have you ever walked into an empty room and immediately sensed that the atmosphere was laced with tension? You may have had no idea what occurred there prior to your arrival, yet you somehow knew...

New Attitudes - New Possibilities

InnerSelf.comClimateImpactNews.com | InnerPower.net
MightyNatural.com | WholisticPolitics.com | InnerSelf Market
Copyright ©1985 - 2021 InnerSelf Publications. All Rights Reserved.