Gretchen Scalpi, RDN

Just when it seems like many Americans have begun to embrace the Mediterranean Diet because of its health benefits, people in the Mediterranean countries are abandoning the traditional way of eating  in favor of the “American” diet.  Italy, Spain and Greece are now experiencing the obesity epidemic first hand, with Italy having the highest percentage of obese people in Europe today.   In Italy and Greece, people today eat roughly four times more meat than they did 40-50 years ago.  As people increased their income during this time period, they began to add more meat to their diet, and move away from the plant-based Mediterranean diet.

These countries have seen an increase in fast food offerings, and along with this comes marketing efforts and promotion of junk food to their children as well.  An estimated 36% of  Italian 12 to 16 year old children are now overweight or obese. It seems that Italy’s  young people favor the fast foods, while ignoring the traditional diet; they are also spending more time in front of the television, like their American counterparts.

The traditional Mediterranean diet consists of generous amounts of vegetables, fruit, olive oil, legumes and fish.  Meat and cheese are used sparingly.  The elements of this style of eating has been one of much study, and is one of the factors accounting for the longevity and good health of the people of the Mediterranean in generations past.  Now, for the first time in decades, today’s children will have shorter lifespans and more chronic health problems than their parents.  This represents a massive shift in the health and longevity of people in just three generations. While Americans are still considered the fattest people on the planet, it looks like other countries are quickly catching up.

Tags: obese, obesity, overweight