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The impact of the processed food to the overall health of the people is a very hotly debated topic these days. The growing occurrence of cancer and other life threatening conditions is forcing many healthcare professionals and media outlets to investigate the link between the processed foods and health issues, particularly obesity. Many health care professionals put the entire blame on the competitive and profit-driven food industry. There are many others who believe that the changing habits and sedentary lifestyles of the people are the real culprits. In order for us to examine this issue, we need to first understand whether all of the processed food is unhealthy to consume. Being processed does not mean unhealthy by default. As consumers, we need to be aware of the degree of processing involved to prepare various food items. For instance, canned vegetables are minimally processed with a small amount of salt or citric acid, as a preservative, and are considered perfectly safe to consume (Freuman). Similarly, plain yogurt is considered moderately processed, with milk cultures, and is a perfectly healthy source of essential probiotics. The consumers should be mostly concerned about the significantly processed foods, such as cereal bars, processed meats, and sandwich cookies. The product labels for such junk food items are filled with various harmful preservatives and food colors as ingredients.
The rise in obesity is a multifaceted problem. Some threads of this problem are connected to the food companies, but others are directly linked to the unhealthy habits of the people. Under an economic environment of stiff competition, the researchers at the food companies have not only modified the food ingredients to modify the taste, but also perfected the labeling and packing of the food items to increase appeal among the masses, particularly the younger generation. The charming marketing strategies create an irresistible appeal for the children, who are enticed to consume a high calorie diet. An alarming 17% of the children in the United States are considered obese, with nearly 5% of them labeled as extremely obese. Besides the role played by the food industry, several other factors, such as sedentary lifestyles of people, unhealthy eating habits, and eating multiple meals, are playing a major role in the obesity crisis (Powell). With a growing level of urbanization, it is perfectly normal for us to expect some level of food processing before the final products reach us. However, it is entirely up to the consumers to develop healthy eating habits and lifestyles.
Works Cited
Freuman, Tamara Duker. Is All Processed Food Unhealthy?. USA Today, 14 May. 2013. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.
Powell, Alvin. The Whys of Rising Obesity. Harvard Gazette, 13 Sep. 2013. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.
