A study, conducted at the University of Adelaide, has determined that meat consumption is contributing to obesity rates and daily caloric excess.
Researchers, in 170 countries have been investigating the links between dietary consumption of different foods in relation to obesity, for years. Researchers examined obesity rates using BMI measurements, and categorized consumptions of major food groups, such as fats, starches, meats, fibers, fruits, and sugars, over a three-year period. Physical activity rates were also documented.
Results showed that those individuals with the highest availability and consumption of meat, also reported the highest rates of obesity. It was calculated that meat consumption and availability could explain roughly 50 percent of the obesity variation, similar to sugar. As proteins are often digested slower than fats and carbohydrates, it is the meat sources in our meals that can create a caloric surplus. These findings are not meant to suggest that protein should not be consumed, however research into beneficial food pairing and dietary planning would be beneficial to reduce the surplus of calories with traditional meals.
This study emphasizes that obesity rates are due to a dynamic interaction of the types and sources of food we eat. Excess meat consumption many be just as likely to cause obesity as excess sugar consumption. Further research and public awareness is needed in order to tackle the obesity epidemic.
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.
Wenpeng You, Maciej Henneberg. Meat consumption providing a surplus energy in modern diet contributes to obesity prevalence: an ecological analysis. BMC Nutrition, 2016; 2 (1) DOI: 10.1186/s40795-016-0063-9
