14 DAY TRIAL // Increasing rates of Greek population give up their healthy, rich in vitamins and micronutrients diet known as the Mediterranean diet and take up the typical Western diet overloaded with trans fats and other harmful chemicals which can only lead to higher-than-normal body mass, obesity and related conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
A recent study carried out by a team of scientists at the University of Athens found that more than 40% of fifth-graders, both boys and girls, investigated in the trial, had BMIs between 25 and 30 (categorized as overweight) and higher than 30 (categorized as obese.) More exactly, of the 312 fifth-grade pupils included in the study, 29.4% boys were found to be overweight and 11.8% to be obese. Also, 39% of girls were found to be overweight and 7.5% obese.
Moreover, experts found that risks of obesity-related conditions, including thickened arteries, heart disease, diabetes etc. raised in direct proportion with children's BMIs. "Furthermore, body mass index and blood pressure were positively related to frequency of fast food meals ... but negatively to leisure time physical activity," researchers pointed out.
Previous surveys also showed that Greece is one of the countries with the highest rates of childhood obesity across Europe, as 30% of Greek children are overweight or obese. Adult obesity rates are also considerably elevated, nearing the top of Europe's list. The main factor which triggers such high rates of obesity and related disorders is closely linked to the unhealthy diet more and more Greece dwellers opt out for.
Instead of consuming large amounts of natural foods such as vegetables, cereals, fish, olive oil which are specific for the Mediterranean diet, Greeks enjoy eating junk, 'dead' food, populating their menus with hamburgers, French fries, pastry etc. Moreover, Greeks have replaced traditional red wine consumption with sugary beverages, fizzy and energy drinks. Also, a continually decreasing number of individuals exercise on a regular basis, preferring a car ride to walking.
Maria Hassapidou, secretary general of the Hellenic Medical Association for Obesity cautioned: "Things have changed in Greece. People have gone toward a Westernized diet." Referring to physical activity, she also stated: "People work less, so they need less."