The diets of affluent Western populations changed very rapidly during the twentieth century. In comparison with the diets of peasant agriculturalists, Western diets are usually much higher in animal protein and fat and much lower in starch and dietary fibre, and ample food is available throughout the year. It is well known that Westernization of the diet is usually associated with increases in the rates of some diseases, such as ischaemic heart disease, large bowel cancer, and obesity, but it should also be appreciated that Westernization is generally accompanied by an increase in overall life expectancy and by decreases in the rates of some diet-related diseases such as stomach cancer, as well as decreases in the incidence of most infectious diseases.
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário