The Twenty-Fat Century

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Parents usually complain of the corruption of today's society, how values and morals have gone down the drain, and the annoying sight of their children pounding away on their miniature gadgets. Immediately dismissed without any forethought, kids think of their parent's grievances as something just inherently programmed into their character. But maybe the older generation is on to something. Modern-day society is drastically different from life thirty or forty years ago. With the advent of various technological innovations have come changes in thought, behavior, and even dietary patterns. Perhaps the hoary-headed have detected what so many of us have missed. The obesity epidemic is negligibly showing signs of relenting. Recent reports warn if the present trend continues, more than 50% of Americans will be obese by 2030. A poor diet and a lack of exercise are proven causes of the obesity issue, but most individuals have failed to pinpoint the conventions of modern life as a cause. How much activity is garnered at work, our inclination toward fast-food and copious amounts of meat, as well as contemporary parenting practices can be considered prime factors of the obesity epidemic. Instead of merely focusing on diet and exercise, let us expand our field of view to examine the how modern life and its niceties may be affecting our waistlines.
Unless you are from Texas, Nebraska, Kansas or some other state commonly associated with agriculture, chances are you do not know a farmer. In the 1960s, farming was the zeitgeist of America. A vast majority of folks operated farms or participated in some other type of manual labor tantamount to the exertion farming mandated. People were in good shape, ate whole foods, and rarely, if ever, remaine...

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...e, J., & Fraser, G. (2013). Nutrient Profiles of Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Dietary Patterns. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 113(12), 1610-1619.
Schlosser, E. (2012, March 12). Still a Fast-Food Nation: Eric Schlosser Reflects on 10 Years Later. The Daily Beast. Retrieved April 29, 2014, from http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/12/still-a-fast-food-nation-eric-schlosser-reflects-on-10-years-later.html
Television Watching and "Sit Time". (n.d.). Obesity Prevention Source. Retrieved April 28, 2014, fromhttp://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/television-and-sedentary-behavior-and-obesity/
K. (2012, August 10). Do You Eat Too Much Protein? [Infographic]. Door to Door Organics Michigan RSS. Retrieved May 12, 2014, from https://blog.doortodoororganics.com/michigan/2012/08/do-you-eat-too-much-protein-infographic/

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