To show how the average American (including children and teens) are getting dumber, let’s look at today’s average American diet.
USDA.gov reported that in 1950-59, the average consumption of fats and oils was 44.6 pounds per capita. In 2000, it was 75.6 pounds. That was almost a 70% increase in bad fat and oil consumption.
However, total fruit consumption only improved 12% while total vegetable consumption improved 26%. Meanwhile 75% of Americans are now fat and a third obese.
The USDA also reported that consumers eat too much refined grain; too little whole grain. Per capita use of refined flour and cereal products increased by 75%. According to the survey only 7% of Americans ate the recommended three or more servings of whole-grain foods a day.
In addition, America’s sweet tooth increased 39% between 1950-59 – 2000 as the use of corn sweeteners octupled (eight times). In 1950, high fructose corn syrup consumption (the most unhealthy sweetner choice) was zero. By 2000, high fructose corn syrup consumption was 63.8 pounds per capita (mostly in sodas such as Coke).
The USDA says Americans have become conspicuous consumers of sugar and sweet-tasting foods and beverages. As for the U.S. Beef and Cattle Industry, in 2011 it was worth 79 billion dollars. The US beef, milk and dairy producers are the largest in the world. There are about one million people that work in this industry. In addition, around 3.5 million work in the fast food industry and Americans spend more than $110 billion for fast food, while the impact of the sugar industry on the US economy adds up to over 142,000 jobs and nearly $20 billion in economic activity in the US alone.
Next, how does a bad diet impact the average child’s ability to learn?
Continued on June 7, 2012 in The Good and Bad of America’s Continuing Cultural Revolution – Part 4 or return to Part 2
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Lloyd Lofthouse is the award-winning author of The Concubine Saga.
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