“Five burgers cost less than a salad”… It is the head of the nutrition department at New York University who asserts it. And this is undoubtedly one reason for the wave of obesity that the country has been undergoing for years.
While obesity continues to rise in the United States and one could therefore assume the battle against the food industry lost, this doctor remains quite optimistic. Across the country, movements are being created to reduce the consumption of junk food, as too fast food is called there. Calls against abusive advertising on TV, interactions between industry and schools and to provide better information to the public … Moreover, many schools have stopped serving fast food, and have removed confectionery or soda machines. But industrial marketing is not the only cause of obesity.
Manufacturers want to do business and sell more food. This is normal, and people love sweets, desserts, savory appetizers … It is more up to governments to intervene when advertising exceeds the limits. In the United States, for example, American aid favors the production of corn rather than tomatoes. This is the reason why five burgers cost less than a salad. To protect the population against overeating, the laws exist but they are not enforced.
Beware of false advertising
For this American nutritionist, if doctors want to have a real impact on the environment of patients, or people at risk, they should have impeccable ethics. She cites as an example packets of crisps or very sweet cereals, bearing the label of associations of prestigious medical professors. In exchange for significant financial support, they authorize manufacturers to affix their label on the packaging of products. , without necessarily checking the ingredients. These labels have a huge impact on consumer confidence! institutions should therefore start by selecting the funds that support them.
Take the example of northern countries
Fortunately, Europe is behind the United States in terms of obesity, although the gap is slowly narrowing. She already has this great opportunity to be able to take a step back from the American example, but it is imperative that she use this opportunity to make decisions. As for example in the Scandinavian countries. There, targeted marketing for children is very regulated, the canteens offer balanced meals. And as a reward, they are much less obese than in the United States.
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