Microwave ovens may be to blame for kick-starting the obesity epidemic in the USA, the UK, and Australia. Professor Jane Wardle, professor of clinical psychology at University College, London, says that obesity rates started to rise soon after 1984 -- around the time of the rapid spread in microwave oven ownership. The mid-1980s also saw the first ready-made meals appearing in shops.
In 1980, 8% of women and 6% of men were classified as obese. By 2004, this percentage had increased to more than a quarter of all women and men.
Children are also suffering from increased levels of obesity, with 16% of those aged 2-15 classed as obese in 2003 compared with 10-12% in 1995.
Professor Wardle said "I looked at the figures showing rates of obesity in the population over many years and it seemed very clear it began between 1984 and 1987. So then we looked at what changes were going on in the food activity world at that time , and one of the striking changes was there were differences in the speed with which we could prepare a meal as a consequence of the introduction of microwave ovens."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6725775.stm
No comments:
Post a Comment