The
connections between diet and health cannot be overstated.
Simply having the per-serving food facts on recipes
will not change eating behaviors. Still, this useful and important
tool sheds light on the nutritional make-up of recipes. With accurate
nutrition facts, consumers can make informed decisions about the
foods they choose to cook, serve and eat.
Overweight and Obesity
According to the Office of the Surgeon
General, "the primary concern of overweight and obesity is
one of health and not appearance." The spreading obesity epidemic
in the United States is a major public health hazard.
•
The number of American adults who meet the definition of overweight
or obese has reached a staggering 61 percent.
• 108 million Americans, ages 20 and older, are considered
overweight. (2002
Heart and Stroke Update, AHA)
• Obesity contributes to higher cost increases for health
care services and medications than do either smoking or drinking.
Being obese is like being 20 years older than what you really
are. (Rand
Study)
• Almost 14 million U.S. children—24 percent of the
population from 2 to 17—are obese, more than double the number
in 1970. And, 1 in 10 are considered clinically obese.
Cardiovascular
disease
According to the American Heart Association, "good nutrition
is important for preventing heart disease and stroke. Healthy food
habits help maintain normal blood pressure, desirable blood cholesterol
levels and a healthy body weight. They may also aid blood clotting,
oxidation, maintaining a normal heart rhythm and other effects.
A poor diet, on the other hand, contributes to high blood pressure,
high blood cholesterol and excess body weight."
• Close
to 62 million Americans have one or more types of cardiovascular
disease, that’s one in five males and females have some form
of cardiovascular disease.
• More than half are women.
• Only a third are over age 65.
• Heart disease is the number one cause of death in USA.
• 50 million Americans have high blood pressure: one in five
Americans, one in four adults. (2002
Heart and Stroke Update, AHA)
Diabetes
There’s an estimated 17 million Americans living with
Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, a jump of more than a million in two
years. An estimated 90% to 95% of diabetics have Type 2 Diabetes.
Diet and exercise can help keep diabetes under control.
• Diabetes
is on the rise in all age groups. "What was once a disease
of our grandparents is now a disease of young adults and teenagers.
And it’s pretty much due to the life we all live."
• Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. At least,
20 million Americans are affected by kidney and urologic disease,
with at least a million more at risk. • Although medical experts predict that more than
75 percent of people with diabetes will experience heart disease,
research has also shown that it can be prevented.(Make
the Link! American Diabetes Association)
• HHS' Diabetes Prevention Program, a major clinical trial,
found that diet and exercise resulting in a 5% to 7 % weight loss
lowered the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes by 58 percent. Participants
lost weight by cutting fat and calories in their diet and by exercising
(most chose walking) at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, "About one-third
of the cancer deaths that occur in the US each year are due to nutrition
and physical activity factors, including obesity. For the majority
of Americans who do not use tobacco, dietary choices and physical
activity are the most important modifiable determinants of cancer
risk." (Cancer
Facts and Figures 2002, ACS)
• Dietary
factors rank just as high as tobacco use among established causes
of cancer.
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