On 28 May 2005 11:10:55 -0700, Tipster wrote in
<news:1117303855.256994.249660@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> on
sci.med.nutrition :

Carbohydrate also include sugars and other compounds, not just starch.

Anyway, here is a possible explanation for the obesity "epidemic" in the
US:
more refined grains,
more added fats,
more added sugars,
more calories (+24.5% 1970-2000),
less physical activities.
Isn't that enough?

http://www.usda.gov/factbook/chapter2.htm

=======================================
USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) estimates [...] dietary intake of
calories in 2000 at just under 2,700 calories per person per day. ERS data
suggest that average daily calorie intake increased by 24.5 percent, or
about 530 calories, between 1970 and 2000. Of that 24.5-percent increase,
grains (mainly refined grain products) contributed 9.5 percentage points;
added fats and oils, 9.0 percentage points; added sugars, 4.7 percentage
points; fruits and vegetables together, 1.5 percentage points; meats and
nuts together, 1 percentage point; and dairy products and eggs together,
-1.5 percentage point.

Some of the observed increase in caloric intake may be associated with the
increase in eating out. Data from USDA's food intake surveys show that the
food-away-from-home sector provided 32 percent of total food energy
consumption in 1994-96, up from 18 percent in 1977-78. The data also
suggest that, when eating out, people either eat more or eat higher calorie
foods-or both-and that this tendency appears to be increasing.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, an astounding 62
percent of adult Americans were overweight in 2000, up from 46 percent in
1980. Twenty-seven percent of adults were so far overweight that they were
classified as obese (at least 30 pounds above their healthy weight)-twice
the percentage classified as such in 1960. Alarmingly, an upward trend in
obesity is also occurring for U.S. children.

Although multiple factors can account for weight gain, the basic cause is
an excess of energy intake over energy expenditure. In general, Americans'
activity levels have not kept pace with their increase in calorie
consumption. Many people apparently are oblivious to the number of calories
they consume.

=======================================

"starch consumption in the far east seems significant in the far east,
and yet the obesity problem doesnt seem as worse as in the US (at least
not yet!)."

It is changing there too, my previous remarks referred to traditional
eating patterns.  As physical activity has decreased, more animal protein
and fat increased, and increased use of vegetable oils increase, and
ability to purchase food, obesity and health disorders related to it have
increased.  Overall carbohydrate intake by percent is about the same,ie.
70, but people are just eating more of it along with the above.  Calorie
level determines weight status.