High-calorie, low-fiber diets can promote hormonal
imbalances that lead children to overeat, one
researcher warns.
Current food-manufacturing practices create a
"toxic environment" that dooms children
to being overweight, said Dr. Robert Lustig, professor
of clinical pediatrics at the University of California,
San Francisco, Children's Hospital.
He conducted a large-scale review of obesity
research. His findings were published in the August
issue of the journal Nature Clinical Practice
Endocrinology & Metabolism.
"Our current Western food environment has
become highly 'insulinogenic,' as demonstrated
by its increased energy density, high fat content,
high glycemic index, increased fructose composition,
decreased fiber, and decreased dairy content,"
Lustig noted.
"In particular, fructose (too much) and
fiber (not enough) appear to be cornerstones of
the obesity epidemic through their effects on
insulin," Lustig said.
He noted that obesity is now the most commonly-diagnosed
childhood ailment in the United States. Diseases
previously only seen in adults, such as type 2
diabetes, are now becoming widespread in children.
Children who are obese are often ridiculed and
socially isolated, which puts them at risk for
depression and other mental health problems, Lustig
said.
He urged societal action to correct the problem,
noting that children can't be blamed for being
overweight or expected to take personal responsibility
for poor dietary habits when they're surrounded
by unhealthy foods.
