The American Diet: Have Our Eating Habits Finally Changed?

Pizzas, burgers, soda, and hot dogs. All these food items are ubiquitous in the American diet. Unfortunately, none of these is healthy and can even beef up the risks for developing deadly diseases like stroke and cancer. But with hundreds of programs meddling in the contents of a typical American’s plate, is the country finally eating right?

Image source: hollylegare.com

New reports indicate a sustained decline of calorie intake for the last few years. Soda consumption posted the greatest drop record of more than 25 percent for the average American. The awareness for the effects of unhealthy food consumption began in the late 1990s, thanks to the explosion of scientific research that found the American diet culpable of the obesity epidemic and other malnutrition-related diseases. 

The consumption of high-calorie foods peaked in the early 2000s. Calorie reduction means lower incidences of obesity, which is one of the leading causes (and its associated conditions) of death in the country.

Figures, however, vary from various study groups, which take into account age, gender, and income class. The improvement is most pronounced in the middle to high-income population and among young adults and middle-age citizens. Male and female groups have little disparity between them.

Images source: dosomething.org

While the bad eating habits of the country are somewhat being reined, still more than a third of American adults are still considered obese and many others overweight. The statistics can be discouraging, although we are finally seeded on a positive nutrition position (in general) for a brighter and healthier future.

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