Post

The paradox of increased hunger and greater obesity

The paradox of increased hunger and higher obesity rates was one of the topics being discussed Tuesday at the the Iowa Hunger Summit, a prelude to the World Food Prize-Borlaug Dialogue Symposium in Des Moines.

 Ellen Gustafson of the 30 Project—an organization working to change the global food system—says it’s because low income people are having a hard time finding the nutritious foods they need to make themselves healthy. 

“And I don’t think that we should fall back on the rhetoric of personal responsibility when it comes to the obesity problem in our country,” Gustafson says, “because at the end of the day, if it’s difficult to just get that healthy option, we can’t and we’re not going to get that healthy option.

“We’re hard-wired  to want the salt, the fat and the sugar—and if that is the easier option that’s right in front of us, that’s what we’re going to eat.”

Gustafson ties the rise in obesity to the consolidation in agriculture and the nation’s food system that has taken place over the past 30 years.  The 30 Project believes the moves toward high-refined, processed food, high fructose corn syrup and fast food are the main culprits.

AUDIO: Ellen Gustafson’s presentation (9:55 MP3)

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published.


 

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe for our newsletter today and receive relevant news straight to your inbox!