Fattest State in America Could be Dumbest State Too?
How Grain-Fed Live Stock Could Be Destroying the American Diet
A new study has revealed that obesity rates in America continue to rise despite efforts to combat the issue. The numbers could reveal more than just an issue of health and may also contribute to a lack of intelligence across the country.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released figures on Monday, which show that obesity rates have increased all across America. Over two thirds of states have reported an obesity rate of over 25 percent when 20 years ago, no state had an obesity rate of over 15 percent.
Within the past four years, the number of states that reported obesity rates over 30 percent increased to 12, which is 11 percent more than before. Mississippi reported the highest numbers of obesity, with over 34 percent of study participants who were classified as overweight.
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While a number of reports have suggested that the links of increased obesity are due to the increased intake of fast food, sodas, and the lack of exercise, other far less known factors may also be playing a role. With a large focus on consumer awareness, bad diet choices may be doing more than making America the fastest country- they could be making America the dumbest country as well.
A number of books about the French diet and theories over why the French stay thinner have surfaced on the market and continue to perplex Americans, some of who are doing everything in their power to limit their portion controls and make healthier decisions. It is commonly stated that the French eat whatever they like, which often includes large amounts of wine and very rich foods. While theories of portion control flood the market, perhaps the question that should be asked is not what the French eat, but what their food supply is eating.
The answer could be more omega-3's.
Scientific studies have revealed that meat from grass-fed animals (cage free chickens for example, or free range cows) is not only lower in fat and calories but also higher in omega-3's. An increased amount of omega-3 can has been proven to be more satisfying, resulting in people eating smaller portions. Grain-fed animals, however, tend to have far more Omega-6 fats and not enough omega-3.
"Grain-fed beef can have ratios that exceed 20:1," Mercola, a health website reported in regards to Omega-6 fatty acids, "whereby grass-fed beef is down around 3:1."
Omega-3 fatty acids also promote heart and brain health. Studies show countries that are laden with diets that include higher amounts of Omega-3's have statistically scored better on IQ assessment tests. America on the other hand ranked poorly in comparison to other countries in both IQ scores and the level of Omega-3's within a typical person's diet.
"American children fare increasingly poorly academically compared with kids in the rest of the world," according to a report in the August issue of Psychology Today.
