From today's New York Times:
"...an epidemic of obesity and related maladies."- "...two-thirds of children are now overweight and the health effects are mounting"
- A United Nations report saying region’s diet had “decayed into a moribund state.”
- 'In Greece, three-quarters of the adult population is overweight or obese, the worst rate in Europe “by far,” according to the United Nations.'
- "In Greece, average daily cholesterol consumption has risen to 400 milligrams from 190 in 1963."
At this point, you can pretty much throw out any notion that Greeks adhere to the fabled Mediterranean diet. Greeks are fat and getting fatter. The social and economic impact will be immense.
DF: Purely anecdotal, but we saw far more blubber in Athens than in Thessaloniki on our recent trip.
Today's Picks:
- Thank you, Italy.: Elgin marble fragment returns to Greece via afp.
- Obama/Giannoulias love fest continues... Greek-Americans raise over $1 million for Obama campaign via ABC news
posted on Wednesday, September 24
DeanMan... ...Where is the Greek Health Ministry? This is a timebomb set to explode in 20-30 years in an epidemic of Heart Disease, Diabetes and Chronic Renal failure. Obesity contributes to Hypertension, High Cholesterol and Diabetes and the three of those morbidities combined can lead to much more serious and costly complications and diseases. Add smoking to the mix and you really have a public health disaster in the making. Instead of after-dinner mints, I suggest restaraunts in Greece start giving their diners after-dinner Statins, (cholesterol-lowering drugs) like Lipitor.
dariotisa... ...The article makes a good point- families with both parents working don't have the time to stick to the Mediterranean diet. Daily life is not what it used to be in Greece- instead of the farmers driving around in their pick ups selling food- we now have super and mini markets. The farmers markets have become too expensive and people find it easier (not to mention often more economical) just to go to the supermarket. It's not a matter of being chic. It's a matter of convenience.
kiki... ...i just read this in the times and was getting ready to send you guys a link - so sad. so many of the newest hottest restaurants in new york, san francisco, etc are greek and celebrate the beautiful clean food - maybe they'll embrace it again in greece when they know it's considered chic.
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