Our Health Crisis – How did we get here?

In Caribbean news. Cookery programmes continue to be one of most popular forms of entertainment on TV. We have food-with-competitions, food-with-celebrities and even, food-with-dating shows.

But how many of us are actually preparing wholesome food at home?  The reality is that many people are relying on fast food joints, take aways and supermarket convenience foods to feed themselves. The lack of time due to juggling work and family commitments means that we reach for what is filling, cheap, and easily available.

African family eating Pizza. Photo courtesy www.visualphotos.com

When it’s possible to feed a family of 4 with fried chicken, french fries and fried onion rings  for less time and money  than it takes to buy and prepare a meal from raw ingredients, we can almost understand why you’d end up dialing the number of your favourite take-away place around the corner.

But this ‘convenience’ has another price.  Obesity in children, as well as adults, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes are at worryingly high levels, and rising.

According to Diabetics UK surveys:

• 2.6 million people in the UK suffer with diabetes, plus another half million un-diagnosed.
• Type 2 diabetes is up to six times more common in people of South Asian descent and up to three times more common among people of African and African-Caribbean origin.
• Almost two in every three people in the UK are overweight or obese (61.9 per cent of
• women and 65.7 per cent of men).
• 100 people a week lose a toe, foot or lower limb due to diabetes.

Duke study keeps black women from gaining weight. Photo courtesy www.examiner.com

The picture is also bleak in the US. Research indicates that  nearly 26 million people in the United States have diabetes, 7 million of whom may be undiagnosed and unaware of their condition.

Obese-eating. Photo courtesy www.healthyblackmen.org

Hispanics have an increased risk of 66%, and non-Hispanic blacks have a 77% higher risk of diabetes than non-Hispanic white adults in the U.S.

The Caribbean is facing serious health issues of epidemic proportions. Trinidad and Tobago is the 5th in the world in diabetes per capita, with 143,000 sufferers in a population of 1.3 million people. Officially, diabetes is stated as the second most common cause of death.

It is generally accepted that these killer diseases are mostly preventable through building some exercise into your life and making wise food choices.

It’s time to wake up and become conscious of what you are feeding your body.

The goal of  supermarkets and fast food restaurants is to maximise profits, not look after your health.

Over the coming weeks I’m going to reveal to you the antics used by food manufacturers and food outlets to lure you into buying  their ‘dead’ food. I will also tell you about accessible and delicious alternatives that will help ensure that you keep a vibrant body and mind. So see you next week!