Obesity epidemic in BA

[sergio]

It's not necessary to make comparisons. Obesity is a growing problem in Argentina. That's the point.

 

[Pierre Smith]

This is different from the US where everywhere you look there's a way to get 1000 calories in a matter of minutes. Recent trip across the country we didn't eat because there was no food along the route that didn't require sitting down somewhere. All the snacks at the gas stations were limited to some plain crackers and whatnot. Next time we'll know to pack our own foods.

In Argentina, the problem isn't people sitting around a table drinking wine and eating ñoquis and steak, it's all about the junk food, cheap sweets, and sugary drinks that are just eaten and eaten by some, at the same time that the more informed and well-off classes are going the exact opposite direction, and eating more vegetables than ever. It's a situation where maybe 30 years ago, everyone ate the same thing but, with shifts in poverty and education, the people with the most means have moved one direction (vegetables, a more diverse palate, the most interesting version of Argentine cuisine, including traditionally raised beef and the rest) and those with fewer means are consuming more of the sort of things that more advantaged people avoid - including candies, soda, etc. I've seen it. And it's not a great Argentina-only phenomenon, it exists in Brasil and Mexico as well.

Chile's had some good results with restrictions, but that's a much higher trust country (https://archive.is/3gewj).

 

[dilmah]

there are multiple flavors of coke available without sugar (diet and zero coke).
I don't see a problem in soda consumption.

 

[sts7049]

soda is bad for your health period. sugar free or not.

 

[sergio]

In Argentina, the problem isn't people sitting around a table drinking wine and eating ñoquis and steak, it's all about the junk food, cheap sweets, and sugary drinks that are just eaten and eaten by some, at the same time that the more informed and well-off classes are going the exact opposite direction, and eating more vegetables than ever. It's a situation where maybe 30 years ago, everyone ate the same thing but, with shifts in poverty and education, the people with the most means have moved one direction (vegetables, a more diverse palate, the most interesting version of Argentine cuisine, including traditionally raised beef and the rest) and those with fewer means are consuming more of the sort of things that more advantaged people avoid - including candies, soda, etc. I've seen it. And it's not a great Argentina-only phenomenon, it exists in Brasil and Mexico as well.

Chile's had some good results with restrictions, but that's a much higher trust country (https://archive.is/3gewj).

Correct. A couple of years ago the Wall Street Journal published a long story on how junk food had invaded the Brazilian diet resulting in widespread obesity, diabetes, etc. Nestle was cited as a major cause as they sell inexpensive junk food commonly bought in Brazil. I think in Argentina another factor is the breakdown of family life. Fewer families seem to be sitting down to a shared meal at which fresh food has been prepared. Then there is the ubiquitous giant Coke bottle placed on the table.

 

[jblaze5779]

In Argentina, the problem isn't people sitting around a table drinking wine and eating ñoquis and steak, it's all about the junk food, cheap sweets, and sugary drinks that are just eaten and eaten by some, at the same time that the more informed and well-off classes are going the exact opposite direction, and eating more vegetables than ever. It's a situation where maybe 30 years ago, everyone ate the same thing but, with shifts in poverty and education, the people with the most means have moved one direction (vegetables, a more diverse palate, the most interesting version of Argentine cuisine, including traditionally raised beef and the rest) and those with fewer means are consuming more of the sort of things that more advantaged people avoid - including candies, soda, etc. I've seen it. And it's not a great Argentina-only phenomenon, it exists in Brasil and Mexico as well.

Chile's had some good results with restrictions, but that's a much higher trust country (https://archive.is/3gewj).

I was more commenting on in the states it's a snap to bang out a 1k cal "snack" (especially on roadtrips) whereas snacks here kinda suck (they aren't conducive to killing the whole box at one time) and a meal is a time commitment that takes up a large portion of active hours.. Figured there was far less calories per "consumption" minute in the day.

 

[cbbsas]

soda is bad for your health period. sugar free or not.

agreed, and at the very least (ignoring all the other hypotheses of why diet drinks are bad for you), sugar free versions undoubtedly adapt your taste buds to crave sweeter tastes as an ongoing habit, which can't yield positive results

 

[dilmah]

soda is bad for your health period

how is it bad? what is the mechanism of adverse influence? where is research on this?

sounds just as baseless claim as the claim of MSG being unhealthy.
MSG occurs naturally in many foods.

 

[jantango]

how is it bad? what is the mechanism of adverse influence? where is research on this?

sounds just as baseless claim as the claim of MSG being unhealthy.
MSG occurs naturally in many foods.

Do a search on YouTube for the dangers of drinking Coca Cola and watch one of the many videos on the subject.

Did you bother to read the link on MSG? It tells you everything.

 

[UK Man]

I take the view once you're an adult you should eat and drink whatever you want. Normal everyday life has risk attached to it.