A trip to the beach in the 1970s was a wonderful opportunity to display a lean and athletic body. Everyone of every age was able to enjoy the sun, the waves, and the beach while maintaining a level of fitness that appeared to be effortless. It is now the present day, and the situation has undergone a significant transformation. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people who are overweight or obese, which stands in stark contrast to the slim figures that were associated with the past. This change compels us to investigate the part that the food sector played in the tremendous transition that has taken place.
The decade of the 1970s: a distinct era of eating
of comparison to what we see today, the normal diet of the 1970s was quite different from what we see today. On a regular basis, meals were prepared at home, and the foundation of family dinners consisted of freshly prepared items. Although they were available, processed goods were not widely available. A smaller number of fast food franchises existed, and going out to eat was regarded as a special occasion rather than a common occurrence. Sugary snacks were less common in households, and portion sizes were reduced to a more manageable height.
People’s lives in the 1970s were also significantly impacted by the ways in which they engaged in physical activity. Without the availability of digital entertainment, people of all ages, including children and adults, spent more time outside engaging in activities that required physical exertion. It was typical for people to engage in activities such as walking, riding, and playing sports.
Increasing Influence of Processed Foods
Beginning in the latter half of the 20th century, the landscape started to shift as a result of the proliferation of processed goods and fast food restaurants. In an effort to maximize profits, the food business started placing a higher priority on convenience and shelf life than it did on nutritional content. It became common practice to incorporate high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and a wide variety of artificial additives into a variety of meals. These components made food more affordable and more readily available, but they also made it less nutritious.
These bad eating patterns were further implanted through the use of marketing methods that were directed toward youngsters and people who were busy. Advertisements for fast food restaurants promised meals that were quick, good, and inexpensive, while snack food manufacturers manufactured items that were difficult to refuse because to the excessive amount of sugar and salt that they contained. The consumption of unhealthy foods has significantly increased as a result of this aggressive promotion, which, when paired with the convenience of ready-made meals, produced a huge increase.
The Effects on the Health of the Public
There have been significant repercussions as a result of these dietary adjustments. The prevalence of obesity has skyrocketed, which has resulted in an increase in a wide range of health issues, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and a number of different types of cancer. Since 1975, the total number of obese people in the world has nearly tripled, as reported by the World Health Organization. The percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight has increased by a factor of 10 in a number of countries over the same time period.
The impact of the food industry extends beyond the food that we consume to include how we think about food. The concept of what constitutes a typical serving has become warped as a result of the huge increase in the size of portions. A significant number of people have become increasingly dependent on pre-packaged meals and fast food as a result of the focus placed on convenience, which has led to a loss in cooking skills.
Making Progress Towards a More Healthful Future
It is necessary to use a diversified approach in order to address this issue. The hazards of processed foods and the advantages of eating a balanced diet can be brought to the attention of the general public through public awareness campaigns. The marketing of unhealthy foods, particularly to youngsters, can be regulated by governments through the implementation of regulations that have the potential to promote healthier alternatives. Through the provision of nourishing meals and the incorporation of nutrition education into their curriculum, schools have the potential to play a significant role.
When it comes to counteracting the damage that is caused by the food business, individuals may help by making a conscious effort to make meals using fresh foods, regulating the amount of food that they consume, and increasing the amount of physical activity they engage in. The adoption of a way of life that is reminiscent of the 1970s, in which home-cooked meals and activities that took place outside were the norm, has the potential to pave the way for a healthy society.
