Spain’s obesity problem has increased progressively since the past decades, it’s now a major health issue affecting the quality of life of Spanish citizens. Food researchers found out that the Spanish people’s shift from consuming traditional Mediterranean dishes to mostly processed foods that contain low nutritional value is a factor that has been driving the progression of the nation’s obesity problem.
The EU’s Organization for Economic and Cultural Development (OECD) recently reported that Spain’s obesity rate is high since 2 out of 3 Spanish men are overweight, which is higher than the OECD average of 1 out of 6 people.
Moreover, the country will likely face greater problem since the OECD also found out that 1 out of three 13 to 14 year-old Spanish adolescents are already overweight. That being the case, the OECD projects that during the next ten years, the proportion of obese adults in Spain’s population will increase by 10%. Spain’s own recent data shows that over one-half of the nations population in ages ranging from 18 to 64 years old are already categorized as obese or overweight.
Food Information Researchers in Spain Single Out Unhealthy Breakfast Products as a Major Factor
A recent study by food information researchers in Spain indicated that some breakfast food product like cereals and chocolate drinks have been heavy contributors to childhood obesity. Their findings show that as a majority of Spain’s citizens have transitioned from consuming traditional Mediterranean meals to low nutrition-value processed food products, they are now also consuming high-calorie breakfast products during the most important meal of the day.
According to Professor Mireia Montaña, a faculty member of the Information and Communication Sciences in Spain of the University Oberta, sugary breakfast cereals have escaped notice for going beyond the regulatory limits in advertising unhealthy food products targeting children.
In her report about the 2015-2019 adverts for products with sugar content, Prof. Montana claims that most of the breakfast products being marketed for Spanish children have three times more sugar content than those that target adult consumers. She also points out a detrimental consequence of marketing sugary breakfast products in household is that the rest of the family members tend to consume the high-calorie food as well.
Although Spain imposes regulatory advertising rules aimed at limiting the marketing of unhealthy food for children, Professor Montana reports that there are loopholes that have to be addressed with a more stringent regulatory framework. She cited as example advertisements that are still being broadcasted during children’s viewing hours.
Moreover, Professor Montana recommends including the subject of general nutrition in educating both parents and children.
Actually it’s quite interesting to note that the high obesity rate in Spain pertains to men. The OECD report mentioned social disparities influence the obesity rate among women, as those with higher level of education are less likely to be obese.
Our presumption is that the popularity of weight-reducing supplements among educated Spanish women could be a contributing factor. Reduslim appetite-suppressant and fat-burning pills for one, which Spanish women buy online from the Reduslim Spain website have earned great reviews for being highly efficient in helping customer maintain their ideal weight.