Eating Habits
Cutting your risk of heart disease and stroke is simpler than you think. They sometimes do things we Americans find weird (like wearing tiny Speedos to the beach), but when it comes to healthy eating, Europeans — specifically those from Spain, France, Italy and Greece — could teach us a thing or two.
This year I’ve been doing some traveling, mostly in Europe. This brought me to some interesting realizations about some cultural differences in eating between Europeans and Americans.
Studies undertaken in developed countries have shown social class differences in health and life expectancy. Furthermore, there are socioeconomic disparities in mortality and morbidity from several diseases such as osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, digestive diseases, diabetes, obesity, and some cancers .
Collecting epidemiological dietary data represents an indirect although fundamental tool in nutritional surveillance of population. The link between unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle and chronic-degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and cancer is increasingly well documented.
In an effort to reduce premature morbidity and mortality, public health officials and health care providers have stressed the critical importance of adherence to a healthy lifestyle that includes exercising regularly, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, avoiding or quitting smoking, and consuming alcohol in moderation.
Consumption of a healthy diet is a priority for reducing chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and several cancers. This is especially crucial for socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, who have less healthy diets and higher disease risk than higher socioeconomic groups. Many factors, including the availability and cultural acceptability of healthy foods, pose obstacles to the promotion of healthy diets.
Why is is important to know where our food comes from? how does it help you and the rest of your community? if you don't know or have not cared to know until now, please...
PLANTO PROMOTE HEALTHY ATTITUDES 2005-2010 IN TERMS OF DIET AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN THE FRENCH COMMUNITY IN BELGIUM.
From a publicationof the European Union
It is estimated that over 200 million adults are overweight or obese in the EU — over half the adult
population.
