The most precious gift this world has is our children, our future. But our children are being poisoned, and they don’t even know it. Here in Asia, obesity rates have soared- little girls and boys consuming American junk food more than traditional foods. The obesity I saw in the States and UK has come here, and it is staggering. There are entire campaigns to push junk food brands from the US as well as faux food chains OVER traditional diets, which are rich in vegetables and fruit. In Korea, we met one girl who wouldn’t eat anything save bread and fast food. She detested rice and all vegetables. Why is that? Korea’s traditional diet is LOADED with namul ( assorted vegetables), sometimes more than 5 at each meal. But if you go to Korea, you will see how many American inspired restaurants are everywhere; in our old neighborhood, 6 out of 10 restaurants were friend chicken. In Korea!
Like adults, more and more children in Asia are having trouble maintaining an appropriate body weight. In many Asian countries, one in ten children are now overweight. The figure jumps to one in five children in some urban areas.
So, what’s wrong with that? Our children will become ill, and as Jaime Oliver points out, they will die younger than their parents. They will be bullied by peers. They will get a plethora of diseases, and have an increased risk of ADHD. This epidemic of the SAD diet needs to end. We need to go back to our roots, buy local and like Jaime says, teach our kids how to cook. The future literally depends on our parenting, and saying no to fast food giants who are keen on hooking our children at a young age.
(Here is Billy’s take on green vegetables and how to easily prepare them)
Thanks for sharing this information. I feel bad for the “next” generation because those unhealthy habits leads to a dark future. Is not a secret that young people are dying for obesity, cancer, diabetes, arthritis etc. Diseases that can be prevented if you take control and live on a healthy lifestyle. You are talking about the diet but unfortunately young people almost don’t know what EXERCISE is.
You are totally right, exercise is an ignored essential.
You are completely right @Kuromilov, but I think one of the reasons kids are so lethargic is because of what they eat. That and of course how ‘plugged in’ we all are, to the internet, XBOX, office, school chair, etc. None of us are as athletic as we should be, most probably. lol
Really like the article u wrote! I’m really interested on the subject too, have u watched “food inc”? such an enlightening documentary!
Yes I have Elle!!! You should totally watch Food Matters if you like Food Inc. Both are incredible. The Future of Food is another good one.
We currently live in Bali and the figures here are amazing. Literally, I mean that the body shapes of a majority of people are fit. So fit, they have definition in their calves, like professional athletes. Why? Well, their traditional diet is rice and vegetables and they work hard. I see ladies that are over 50 yrs old, lifting and pushing wheelbarrows full of construction material up and down the path to my house. They don’t complain, they just do the work that they seem to enjoy, and are always willing to give my 2 children a smile and a “Pagi” (Morning) greeting.
The more time I think about this the conclusion I reach is that comfort and convenience are the demise of our mental and physical health.
Addition….Hungry for Change will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that it’s sugar that makes you fat. Check it out. Awesome…yet a bit long of a movie.