So how did the U.S. end up in this obesity predicament?
 Dr. Khurram Qadir |
Dr. Khurram Qadir, an assistant professor of internal medicine who has developed a multidisciplinary program at the UI to address the obesity problem in Iowa, points to an increasingly sedentary culture of consumption. And human genes, which were great at keeping the body functioning in the 1500s during times of famine, have become a liability in this time of Biggie Fries.
Dr. Edward Mason, UI professor emeritus of surgery, explains: “Humans evolved in an environment that required eating and storing energy when food was available. We have thrifty genes and the ability to store energy as fat in great excess of our current needs. Obesity has been an occasional problem for humans since antiquity. But, we have become a consuming, self-destructive society.”
In addition, technology has swept people away from active lifestyles and, the fact is, the unhealthiest foods are the cheapest. Fresh fruits and vegetables cost far more than value meals at McDonalds. A person’s physical genetics as well as psychological factors—such as depression or stress—also influence eating habits.
Qadir points out two specific developments in the 1980s that caused obesity rates to skyrocket: the development of high fructose corn syrup—an inexpensive means of making long-lasting sugary foods and selling them at affordable prices—and the creation of “super-sized” meals at fast food chains. Since then, there’s been a steady spike in the collective Body Mass Index.
“ Yes, we are responsible for the way we eat,” says Qadir, “but I also believe we are victims of a toxic ‘obesogenic’ environment. [Obesity] is the No. 1 health problem of our time in this country. The prospects are dismal if we don’t do whatever we can to fight this epidemic.”
For his part, Mason believes humans need to replace their goal of pleasure with one of learning how to live a worthwhile life. Otherwise, he says, we risk facing extinction. “We need more effort on prevention. This means raising children with proper training on how to live a healthy life.”
