As recently as the 1990s, larger body types had positive associations in many cultures. As the mass media has spread images of ultra-slim bodies, however — and as obesity has been spotlighted as a public health issue in many countries — heavier bodies have become stigmatized across the world, even as rates of obesity are rising.
Between 1966 and 2003, the consumption of high-fructose corn syrup and glucose syrup through beverages increased more than 11-fold in the United States. Because soft drinks now account for almost 50% of the added sugars present in U.S. diets, understand the broad range of physiological impacts that these beverages have on their consumers is essential.
The United States has one of the highest obesity rates in the world, and the primary causes — unhealthy diets and a lack of exercise — are well known. However, the social, economic, psychological and policy factors underlying the problem are less clear.
Though fad diets and new “miracle” techniques for weight loss are regularly touted in American popular culture, health professionals have consistently maintained that eating moderate portions and exercising regularly is the only sure way to ensure a trim waistline and good health. However, exactly what kinds of foods and lifestyles produce the best outcomes remains the subject of debate.
Scientific studies have suggested that two chemicals used in food packaging, Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), can disrupt human endocrine systems and cause birth defects, autism and hyperactivity. While the adverse effects of BPA have been studied, the contribution of dietary exposure to total intake has not been fully investigated.
With obesity on the rise across America, particularly among lower-income individuals, it has been suggested that part of the problem may be lack of access to healthy foods. Many low-income housing areas are inundated with fast food restaurants and often lack a regular supermarket that offers fresh fruits and vegetables. The term “food deserts” is increasingly used to characterize such areas, but it is not clear if this oversimplifies the problem of obesity for certain communities.
A 2009 study by the Harvard Medical School and the Cambridge Health Alliance, “Health Insurance and Mortality in U.S. Adults,” looks at the relationship between having health insurance and death rates. The study used data from the CDC’s third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The survey was conducted between 1988 and 1994 and involved more than 33,000 people.
The fact that smoking has direct negative effects on health is well documented. Smoking could also adversely impact the health of others in a family through substitution effects within a household’s expenditures.
