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Junk Food Accounts For 30 Percent Of The American Diet

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A new study that examines the eating habits of Americans finds junk food accounts for 30 percent of the food consumed. Sugary snacks and sodas top the list, which probably accounts for the growing obesity epidemic.

A new study that examines the eating habits of Americans finds junk food accounts for 30 percent of the food consumed. Sugary snacks and sodas top the list, which probably accounts for the growing obesity epidemic.The study is published in the June issue of the Journal of Food Chemistry and Analysis and was conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.The researchers identified three food groups that contribute to nutrient-poor foods eaten by Americans. Sweets and desserts, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages make up almost 25 percent of all calories consumed by Americans. Salty snacks and fruit-flavored drinks account for five percent. “What is really alarming is the major contribution of ’empty calories’ in the American diet,” said the author of the study, Gladys Block. “We know people are eating a lot of junk food, but to have almost one-third of Americans’ calories coming from those categories is a shocker. It’s no wonder there’s an obesity epidemic in this country.” Block analyzed data from 4,760 who took part from 1999 to 2000 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants were asked questions regarding the foods they ate in the 24 hour period just prior to taking the survey. Block also included NHANES III data collected between 1988 and 1994 as a comparison.Block was able to break down the food data from the surveys into 144 total food items and further broke down these foods into 23 food groups.Brock found that Soft drinks and pastries led the list of top 10 foods contributing the most calories to the American diet. Sodas contributed to a staggering 7.1 percent of the total calories in the U.S. population. Hamburgers, pizza and potato chips completed the top five food items consumed by americans.Brock found no major changes in the two major studies she collected data from. Brock noted that bread type food consumption was lower in the most recent survey with soda pop consumption up 1.1 percent to 7.1 in the 1999-2000 survey.”It’s important to emphasize that sweets, desserts, snacks and alcohol are contributing calories without providing vitamins and minerals,” said Block. “In contrast, such healthy foods as vegetables and fruit make up only 10 percent of the caloric intake in the U.S. diet. A large proportion of Americans are undernourished in terms of vitamins and minerals. You can actually be obese and still be undernourished with regard to important nutrients. We shouldn’t be telling people to eat less, we should be telling people to eat differently.” (Source: New York Times Health, June 2004)


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Posted On: 3 June, 2004
Modified On: 4 December, 2013

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