Hugo’s blog

While obesity is progressing worldwide – in France for example, we talk about obesity epidemic –, it seems that the US is still sadly ahead of everybody. The Department of Health and Human Services has a scary animated map showing the evolution of obesity in the US showing this.

I received by mail an advertisment booklet a few days ago called Living Well. Feeling Great. Helping you make healthier choices:

However, the booklet doesn’t focus on fruits and vegetables. The first page of contents shows diet sodas and lists participating items such as M&M 100 Calorie and Twix Caramel Bar:

The second page talks about low calorie / low fat snacking and ice cream:

The rest of the booklet goes on to talk about skin care, low calorie canned dinner and deserts, one salad suggestion (with light dressing, of course), etc.

Essentially, eating healthy in the US means eating crap, but in fat free and low calorie form. This is particularly interesting in light of a recent study conducted Duke University showing that sweet taste and calorie consumption considered independently by the brain. Here’s a 60-second summary from Scientific American:

It looks like we’re on a slippery slope!