The rates of overweight and obesity continue to grow, both in the adult population and in the child population. It is really difficult to improve people’s diets and one of the reasons is our obesogenic environment. We are surrounded by advertising, superfluous products, vain promotions … in short, society does not help us but on the contrary, it makes it difficult for us to carry out a healthy diet in a simple and easy way, free of ultra-processed products loaded with sugars and fats, which are the cause of these rising rates of overweight and obesity.

Today I want to analyze and introduce you to this environment in which we live, so that you can see how we are brainwashed …

Latest data on overweight and obesity

39.3% of the Spanish population between the ages of 25 and 64 are overweight and 21.6% are obese, according to a study by the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC).

The Aladino study carried out in 2015 with children between 6 and 9 years old, tells us that approximately 23% of children are overweight and around 18% suffer from obesity.

Our obesogenic environment

Advertising

Advertising for ultra-processed products surrounds us wherever we go: television, radio, banners, posters, newspapers, supermarkets… It is everywhere and only encourages us to buy and eat those products. In addition, many of them are aimed at the little ones, making use of cartoons, gifts … and why does this happen? Because in Spain there are no laws that regulate children’s advertising, only self-regulatory codes that the industry itself draws up in good faith and, to top it all, adhering to this code is voluntary. 

Vending machines

It is not surprising to find some of these machines in schools, hospitals, public transport stations, outpatient clinics, gyms, health centers, at the office, at work, in waiting rooms … and what do these machines offer us? Hopefully we find one that has some fruit because they are usually snacks, sweets, chocolates, potato chips, mixed  nuts , juices, soft drinks, sweets … in short, an endless number of superfluous and ultra-processed products that for a reason or another end up being sold.

Subliminal messages

I’m sure if I tell you “the breakfast of champions” you know what I’m talking about, or “they gave me two”, “uncover happiness” … or if I tell you about a strong and muscular cousin, you will also know that he drank, truth?

They are a lot of positive and motivating attributes that have been assigned to ultra-processed products, at least harmful to health, and that we nevertheless associate in a favorable and positive way.

Use of famous faces

Another marketing tactic is to promote these products with a familiar face. Make us understand that if that famous person consumes it, we will be like him or her. Or how that famous consumes it, me too.

Competitive prices

How do we want to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables if the promoted products are ultra-processed junk products? How can a kilo of cherries at € 6 compete with three canes of chocolate at € 1?

Conclusion and solution

You see, everything favors the consumption of ultra-processed products, we are condemned by the food industry to receive constant inputs on these products. And worst of all is that they win, because the rates of overweight and obesity increase. So help me, help yourself, help us promote the consumption of fresh food and finally give this type of food a kick.

The solution? Fight against the industry, promote good habits, expose all these products and once again, read the nutritional labeling .

And you do you think?