Many European governments feel that they have the responsibility of educating their citizens about health. Health programs are expensive and an unhealthy population can wreak havoc with the governments’ budgets. The governments engage in educational campaigns on medical care, health, nutrition, etc. Periodically one or two of these areas emerge in the forefront of the media - in newspapers, television, and evening programs. Currently, the government here is addressing the issues of nutrition and health. Based on the findings of the Ministry of Health, today’s citizens, like most populations of the affluent societies, are indulging themselves and becoming obese in the process. Although this society is very pro-American, it has chosen to present this particular article to bring home a message to the Europeans. Healthy eating, good nutrition, good medical care and responsibility for ones own welfare is important for all age groups.

Thought provokers:

Big Food* - The American food industry provides each American with about 3,800 calories per day. This is 30 percent more than the average male needs and 50 percent more than the average female needs.

Calories -

In 1978 the average American processed 1,826 calories per day. Today he/she processes 2,002 calories per day. That is only 176 calories per day more, you might think, but 176 x 7 equals 1,232 calories more per week. Do not forget, we are as active any more either.

Portions -

The same large portion of French fries contains three times as many calories today than it did in 1960.

Prices -

Prices of foods have dropped by .2 percent each year since WW II.

Advertising -

Big food spends $33 billion per year on advertising.

As much as $ 750 million is spent by the Big Food corporations to subsidize institutions in the U.S. for setting up their food dispensers. Most of these dispensers offer a vast selection of colorful calories. Too often young people fill up with empty calories; a generous contribution to America’s 60 percent overweight population.

Many of the Big Food producers pay institutions a flat yearly fee, a commission, plus subsidize various projects within these institutions. Unfortunately, many of these institutions are schools, where students should be guided to healthy food and good nutrition. According to research, American schools have agreements with the Big Food producers which earns them in the neighborhood of $750 million per year for selling snacks and drinks. The average person in America drinks more soft drinks now than he/she did 25 years ago, that is about 200 quarts (liters) per year. Twenty years ago, teenagers drank twice as much milk as soft drinks. Today these figures are reversed. Thirty percent of students are overweight, 77 percent are not in healthy condition, and 98 percent consume food which lack nutrition.

Many institutions are beginning to realize that they should not go for just the money; they should be more interested in the welfare of the population. Consequently, many food dispensers are being sent back to the Big Food producers. A lunch which consists of coca cola, a donut, a chocolate bar and potato chips (crisps) give a quick injection of energy, but unless that energy is used, the sugar is stored as fat and the consumer is soon hungry again.

Unfortunately, this trend is not just current in American. It is a common trend in most affluent, western countries.

*Big Food - Food producers such as Coca Cola, Pepsi, Mars, etc.

Berlingske Tidende, Sunday, 19 January, 2003.