14 DAY TRIAL // These times of economic crisis we are all experiencing could also have some beneficial consequences in the long run, if we act now. This is especially true for those who want to lose some weight. Rather than clipping more and more coupons out of magazines, or searching for discount aisles in superstores, you could simply buy less food, or buy cheaper, healthier products. This would ensure you benefit from a slim silhouette, and also that you lose the amount of weight you need. In addition to all these advantages, you could also clean your organism of the toxins you accumulated until now, thus doubling the benefits. A new study proposes a radical solution to the weight problem, and more.
Statisticians and other scientists have known for a long time that countries where food is largely available, and also extremely cheap, tend to exhibit massive number of diabetes and obesity cases. This is especially true right now for the United States, where one third of the population is obese, and two thirds are overweight. The trend manifests itself in children as well, with a large proportion of teens being much heavier than healthy. But talking about these issues in a tightly-controlled country like America is now is taboo. Many consider cheap food a constitutional right.
Unfortunately for their own health, they also exercise it. Experts at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, led by scientist Barry Popkin, have come across accusations of being unconstitutional and other such things many times, as they called for new taxes to be placed on unhealthy food and drinks, LiveScience reports. Their demands are not driven by a quest for profit, but by the findings made during the 20-year-long Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, which followed more than 5,000 participants.
The researchers noticed a clear correlation between the amount of cheap and unhealthy food available and the number of obesity and diabetes cases. They show statistically that, for each 1 percent rise in prices on these items, people consume 1 percent less calories from them. This means that making unhealthy foods and drinks more expensive could actually make a difference in curbing the obesity epidemic, as well as the growing incidence of medical conditions associated with it. These include heart diseases and diabetes, a higher risk of stroke, and a more inactive lifestyle.
People need to realize, the experts say, that the typical American diet is already much more expensive than a healthy one is. Eating dinner and lunch at home is a lot cheaper and healthier than going to a fast-food restaurant, as is packing your own meal for work. Buying generic foods from supermarkets, rather than those promoted by large corporations – under the lure of coupons and whatnot – might also prove more beneficial in the long-run, the experts add.