Nature v. Nurture...environmental backlash
Yesterday in class I heard something similar to as follows:
"If our genes are the gun, the environment is pulling the trigger." Or something to that effect. After reading and hearing that statement I did some thinking about it as related to diet.
With so many people overweight and obese, you have to see the reality of the statement. Genetically, we are nearly identical to our ancestors who were hunters and gatherers thousands of years ago. At that time, we were lean, muscular, and had to move A LOT.
We still maintain the same genetic code as back then, however, our environment has drastically changed. Granted, at that time, our ancestors only lived 30-40 years at best, and so couldn't die of the same diseases people die of today, however, the point is, the environment we live in now is killing us, it is the trigger to our gun.
It is far too easy to buy outrageous portions of food. Honestly, who needs 64 ounces of soda at a movie theater? Who needs to go to Starbucks and be able to purchase a $4.00 Frappaccino which provides you with the same number of calories as a steak dinner?
If our genetics are still the same then it is clear that we should be able to once again maintain lean, muscular, healthy bodies, we just have to be able to adapt to our environment, or rather, fight against the harm it inflicts on us.
This gets back to my soapbox. It is time that we demand changes, it is time we demand that healthy food be readily available, easy to prepare, and inexpensive to purchase, much like the "fast-foods" people buy on a regular basis. I become quite frustrated when I walk down the street and see a young child who is already inflicted with a heavy burden of obesity. It is the duty of her parents, and it is the duty of our nation to take this problem seriously. If companies can push for wellness initiatives, ones which incentivize healthy living in order to improve the health, well-being, and overall cost-effectiveness of their employees, we should push for a nation-wide program which offers the same benefits.
I realize this goes against the notion of "every man for himself," and we cause our own problem, but, our genetic code cannot stand for our killing environment any longer.
I get angry when I read in the newspaper, "question about whether or not juice drinking among children can lead to weight gain." When these "juices" are high-fructose corn syrup, and nearly 1 in 4 children is obese, how much more proof is needed?
Quit pulling the trigger, respect yourself, your health, and your genes.
"If our genes are the gun, the environment is pulling the trigger." Or something to that effect. After reading and hearing that statement I did some thinking about it as related to diet.
With so many people overweight and obese, you have to see the reality of the statement. Genetically, we are nearly identical to our ancestors who were hunters and gatherers thousands of years ago. At that time, we were lean, muscular, and had to move A LOT.
We still maintain the same genetic code as back then, however, our environment has drastically changed. Granted, at that time, our ancestors only lived 30-40 years at best, and so couldn't die of the same diseases people die of today, however, the point is, the environment we live in now is killing us, it is the trigger to our gun.
It is far too easy to buy outrageous portions of food. Honestly, who needs 64 ounces of soda at a movie theater? Who needs to go to Starbucks and be able to purchase a $4.00 Frappaccino which provides you with the same number of calories as a steak dinner?
If our genetics are still the same then it is clear that we should be able to once again maintain lean, muscular, healthy bodies, we just have to be able to adapt to our environment, or rather, fight against the harm it inflicts on us.
This gets back to my soapbox. It is time that we demand changes, it is time we demand that healthy food be readily available, easy to prepare, and inexpensive to purchase, much like the "fast-foods" people buy on a regular basis. I become quite frustrated when I walk down the street and see a young child who is already inflicted with a heavy burden of obesity. It is the duty of her parents, and it is the duty of our nation to take this problem seriously. If companies can push for wellness initiatives, ones which incentivize healthy living in order to improve the health, well-being, and overall cost-effectiveness of their employees, we should push for a nation-wide program which offers the same benefits.
I realize this goes against the notion of "every man for himself," and we cause our own problem, but, our genetic code cannot stand for our killing environment any longer.
I get angry when I read in the newspaper, "question about whether or not juice drinking among children can lead to weight gain." When these "juices" are high-fructose corn syrup, and nearly 1 in 4 children is obese, how much more proof is needed?
Quit pulling the trigger, respect yourself, your health, and your genes.
posted by Dana M. Ellis, MPH, R.D. @ 3:02 PM
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