There is a small window for those enjoying snacks, because it’s not junk food, it’s you to be blamed for obesity even though the industry is harshly critiqued.
- Researchers studied a number of 5,000 adults in the U.S.
- They found that junk food is not related to weight gain for 95% of the population
- Placing focus on eliminating junk food from their diet will not result in efficient weight loss
It’s rather obvious that engorging on cheeseburgers, fries, Coke, and having a brownie for dessert everyday will not be the greatest help for weight loss. However, a new study found that junk food is not the root of all evil. In fact, on the list of contributors, it might not even crack the top three main reasons why obesity is such as widely spread condition.
Researchers from Cornell University analyzed sample data from around 5,000 American adults, regarding their BMI and diets. This was pointedly focused around their consumption of junk food within the last 24 hours before the survey. For the purpose of the study, ‘junk food’ was defined as soda, candy, and fast food. Some of which are the culprits of midnight snacking.
According to their findings, there was absolutely no connection between the amount of fast food they ate and their BMI for 95% of the population. This means that the amount of junk food was not the main dietary sacrifice to make when attempting to lose weight. According to co-author of the study David Just, placing the blame on just one thing is highly inefficient, and ultimately useless.
By health campaigns demonizing junk food as the main cause of obesity, they’re erroneously leading patients into a wrong type of diet. Even though cutting out one single type of food group would be easier, it’s not even close to being efficient. Those looking to trim down weight and their dieticians should look at the bigger picture.
Just states that they require to watch the “overall diet, and physical activity”. By targeting junk food as the factor to eliminate, the tunnel-vision like perspective will wound up causing more harm.
Within their study, researchers found that those of normal weight actually ate more junk food than people with a high BMI. Of course, since the study was aimed at weight loss, it certainly did not mean that they were healthier. However, they were thinner, in spite of consuming larger amounts of fast food, soda and candy.
It’s the whole nutrition that should be under the watch. It’s not enough to mark junk food as the villain, while the others are considered only its dangerous minions. Targeting one aspect to curb obesity has not been deemed as the proper solution. It’s about physical activity, a balanced diet, and, most important, sheer strength of will.
Image source: doctorsays.com.ng
American Beverage Association says
A this research, and the remarks of this study’s authors make clear, attention to “overall diet, and physical activity” is key when it comes to combating obesity. Vilifying specific products is ineffective and distracts from the bigger health picture. Through the Balance Calories Initiative, among other efforts, our industry is doing its part to promote a better balance of calories in and calories expended via activity. Efforts rooted in education will continue to propel this message forward and change behaviors in a meaningful way; shortsighted and restrictive mandates will not.