Author Interviews, Nutrition, Weight Research / 15.01.2020
Obesity Epidemic Linked to Ultra-Processed Foods
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Leigh Frame, PhD, MHS
Director for the Integrative Medicine Program
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
George Washington University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: As food consumed in the U.S. becomes more and more processed, obesity may become more prevalent. Through reviewing overall trends in food, we concluded that detailed recommendations to improve diet quality and overall nutrition are needed for consumers, who are prioritizing food that is cheaper and more convenient, but also highly processed.
When comparing the U.S. diet to the diet of those who live in "blue zones" - areas with populations living to age 100 without chronic disease - the differences are stark. Many of the food trends we reviewed are tied directly to a fast-paced U.S. lifestyle that contributes to the obesity epidemic we are now facing. (more…)