In Canada, the fifth highest ranking country for obesity, 1 in 4 adults are now obese; a ratio that constitutes 25% of the population, and one that has doubled since 1978.1,2Such an epidemic and condition is also a known risk factor for some cancers, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and diabetes.2(331)Thus, considering causes of obesity is paramount, and one such driver is the overconsumption of processed foods.1(5)As a means of appreciating industrialized food, the following will explore the same in addition to solutions for the obesity epidemic.
Industrial processing has allowed the development of convenient foods which have longer shelf lives through the implementation of additives, salts, sugars, hydrogenation, and removal of water.1(5) As stated in this author’s last post, food processing can be generally defined as biological, chemical, and physical methods that occur after foods are separated from nature and before they are consumed.1(5) However, there are various levels of processing with some more favorable than others. The least impactful industrialized food is minimally processed foods such as fresh fruits/vegetables, and packaged/frozen meats. A slightly more processed food can be seen in culinary ingredients such as sugar, honey, salt, and butter. A higher level of food processing could include fruits in syrups or vegetables in brine, while the highest level of industrial foods is known as ultra-processed foods (UPFs).1(5)
UPFs are predominantly characterized as energy-dense, high in added and free sugars, trans fats, saturated fats, while being heavily depleted in micronutrients, other bioactive compounds, and low in fiber and protein.1(5) Since overconsumption of UPFs has been linked to obesity and other chronic diseases, said food is now being proposed as an overall indicator of diet quality.1(5)The economic costs and burdens of obesity can be estimated by accounting for indirect and direct costs associated with a given illness to include the costs to the health care system: physician visits, medication, hospital stays, leave from work as a consequence of disability, illness, and death associated with obesogenic states.2(230)Such economic burdens to the Canadian health care system was estimated to be 4.6 billion in 2008.2(330) UPF consumption is a contributor to such an outcome.
With a population continuing to become increasingly obese, it is incumbent that multiple levels of strategy are addressed and employed to facilitate change in the current health state of Canadians. Shentow-Bewsh and Zuberi2(332) suggested that family physicians are ill-equipped (a lack of monitoring and follow-up, lack of time, lack of training) to counsel obese patients on nutrition and lifestyle based on feedback from patients. Such a dilemma might necessitate referral to qualified nutritionists specializing in said field. Although individual interventions are required, population-level mediations is also of relevance; policy reforms and interventions such as improving nutrition labelling are far reaching and are likely to reduce the sense of stigmatization individuals have experienced with their doctors regarding weight loss and lifestyle changes.2(334)
In conclusion, UPFs are hyperpalatable, energy-dense, yet nutrient depleted, foods associated to obesity and chronic disease. Left unchecked or ignored, obesity and illness is likely to extend its reach across the country.Thus, continued and chronic overconsumption of such industrialized food products will require individual and population-based interventions to help prevent and manage obesity in Canada.
References
1. Nardocci M,Leclerc BS, Louzada ML, Monteiro CA, Batal M, Moubarac JC.Consumption of ultra-processed foods and obesity in Canada. Can J Public Health. 2019;110:4-14. doi:https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-018-0130-x.
2. Shentow-Bewsh R, Zuberi D. Reducing the prevalence of obesity in Canada: A call to action. 2018;33(6):329-341. doi:10.1080/19371918.2018.1482252.
-Michael McIsaac