plentiful and cheap. World sugar consumption in 1999 and 2000 is forecast at a record 130.1 million
‘°m~ a1″f°5‘ 4″ 3b°”5 the P”°‘l°“5 .‘ear’s level. Growth trends in sugar consumption were interrupted
in themid-19905 financial crisis hit man} developing countries. Among major producers are South
American and Asian countries. namely Bradl. lndia, and Thailand, whereas leading importers are
Russia, Indonesia, the United States. and Japan. World refined-sugar prices averaged less than 10
cents per pound during the first 9 mo of 1999. Sugar, a remarkably cheap source of calories, can thus
provide more than 18 000 calories per dollar spent.
‘°m~ a1″f°5‘ 4″ 3b°”5 the P”°‘l°“5 .‘ear’s level. Growth trends in sugar consumption were interrupted
in themid-19905 financial crisis hit man} developing countries. Among major producers are South
American and Asian countries. namely Bradl. lndia, and Thailand, whereas leading importers are
Russia, Indonesia, the United States. and Japan. World refined-sugar prices averaged less than 10
cents per pound during the first 9 mo of 1999. Sugar, a remarkably cheap source of calories, can thus
provide more than 18 000 calories per dollar spent.
Global dietary trends are toward increased consumption of sugars and fats. There may be physiologic
reasons for this. As omnivores, humans have an innate tendency to consume a varied diet.” The more
vaneddiets tend to be higher in naturally occurring sugars, animal protein, and animal fat. For
evpluuonary‘ reasons, hsumans are also drawn to foods that provide the maximum amount of energy per
unit weight or volume. The more energy dense foods generally contain more added sugar and fat.
l3nergy dense foods tend to be more palatable and vice vcrsa. One achievement of the global food
industry has been to provide an abundance of good-tasting energy-dense foods at a remarkably low
cost. Vegetable fats and cane & corn sugars have become cheap commodities in response to global
consumer demand.
reasons for this. As omnivores, humans have an innate tendency to consume a varied diet.” The more
vaneddiets tend to be higher in naturally occurring sugars, animal protein, and animal fat. For
evpluuonary‘ reasons, hsumans are also drawn to foods that provide the maximum amount of energy per
unit weight or volume. The more energy dense foods generally contain more added sugar and fat.
l3nergy dense foods tend to be more palatable and vice vcrsa. One achievement of the global food
industry has been to provide an abundance of good-tasting energy-dense foods at a remarkably low
cost. Vegetable fats and cane & corn sugars have become cheap commodities in response to global
consumer demand.
(Page: 487) Although malnutrition and food insecurity still persist, notably in sub-Saharan Africa,
for the first time in human history many societies have ready access to affordable food.‘ Even in poor
societies, problems of chronic xxtxdettxuktikioxx new cmxistwith govt ixxcg taxes oi ckixkdlsood obesxxy and
for the first time in human history many societies have ready access to affordable food.‘ Even in poor
societies, problems of chronic xxtxdettxuktikioxx new cmxistwith govt ixxcg taxes oi ckixkdlsood obesxxy and
adult-onset diabetes.7 Whereas increased fat and sugar constunption were previously tied to higher
incomes, that is no longer the case, at least on the national level. in some cases, global dietary trends
are complicated by urbanization and increased reliance on packaged, processed, and distributed
foods.‘
incomes, that is no longer the case, at least on the national level. in some cases, global dietary trends
are complicated by urbanization and increased reliance on packaged, processed, and distributed
foods.‘
The undesirable side efiects of the nutrition transition have alarmed public-health professionals.“ So
far, the response has been decidedly mixed. Some regard the global nutrition transition as a deplorable
byproduct of economic growth. Westemization of traditional eating habits, as represented by fast
Foods, soft drinks, and increased meat consumption, has been singled out for special blame.
Traditional ethnic foods, hot and freshly made, are said to he no match forjunk foods and soft drinks
of little nutritional value. Global food industry has been held responsible for the homogenization of
the global diet and the reputed decline of vibrant ethnic cuisines and unique food habits.’ In 1990, the
World Health Organization Study Group noted that the leading food companies could develop
nutritious foods, if they so wished, but persisted instead in advertising foods rich in fat, sugar, and salt
to maintain their profitability.8
far, the response has been decidedly mixed. Some regard the global nutrition transition as a deplorable
byproduct of economic growth. Westemization of traditional eating habits, as represented by fast
Foods, soft drinks, and increased meat consumption, has been singled out for special blame.
Traditional ethnic foods, hot and freshly made, are said to he no match forjunk foods and soft drinks
of little nutritional value. Global food industry has been held responsible for the homogenization of
the global diet and the reputed decline of vibrant ethnic cuisines and unique food habits.’ In 1990, the
World Health Organization Study Group noted that the leading food companies could develop
nutritious foods, if they so wished, but persisted instead in advertising foods rich in fat, sugar, and salt
to maintain their profitability.8
One extreme reaction has been to resist economic development in the name of protecting public
health. F carful that diets of developing nations are heading in the wrong direction, some nutrition
advocates have pointed to the benefits of plant-based diets, and others focused on the virtues of
poverty and strenuous manual labor. “Fortunately,” wrote one nutrition expert, “fast foods and sofi
drinks are beyond the reach of the poor, who for this reason will be spared.” Others have argued that
developing nations such as China should be deprived of meat products, given that public health would
be better served by a consumption of a plant-bascd diet. It is indeed a paradox of plenty that some of
the more vocal advocates of diets of poverty reside in the US.
health. F carful that diets of developing nations are heading in the wrong direction, some nutrition
advocates have pointed to the benefits of plant-based diets, and others focused on the virtues of
poverty and strenuous manual labor. “Fortunately,” wrote one nutrition expert, “fast foods and sofi
drinks are beyond the reach of the poor, who for this reason will be spared.” Others have argued that
developing nations such as China should be deprived of meat products, given that public health would
be better served by a consumption of a plant-bascd diet. It is indeed a paradox of plenty that some of
the more vocal advocates of diets of poverty reside in the US.
The undesirable effects of the nutrition transition are very real. However, standard descriptions of
global dietary trends tend to overstate the impact ofBig Macs.” In reality, early stages of the nutrition
transition are characterized by sharply increased use of cheap vegetable oils, notably soybean, palm,
rapeseed, and sunflower. These are rapidly integrated into local diets. The nutrition transition in China
has been driven by sharply increased imports of soybean oil and refined sugar and not by imports of
beef, sofi drinks, and processed Western foods.’ Only the later stages of the nutrition transition in
wealthy countries such as Japan are typified by a sharp rise in meat and milk consumption, increased
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global dietary trends tend to overstate the impact ofBig Macs.” In reality, early stages of the nutrition
transition are characterized by sharply increased use of cheap vegetable oils, notably soybean, palm,
rapeseed, and sunflower. These are rapidly integrated into local diets. The nutrition transition in China
has been driven by sharply increased imports of soybean oil and refined sugar and not by imports of
beef, sofi drinks, and processed Western foods.’ Only the later stages of the nutrition transition in
wealthy countries such as Japan are typified by a sharp rise in meat and milk consumption, increased
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC CLICK HERE
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