Although the urge to eat is rightfully attributed to the set of essential physical functions of a human body, one must admit that people belonging to different cultures have different eating habits (Willcox et al., 2009). The specified phenomenon can be explained by the fact that different cultures have different concepts of healthy eating and food in general. Despite the pieces of advice provided by healthcare clinicians and nurses as far as healthy eating habits are concerned, the traditions pertaining to specific cultures define the eating habits of their members, thus, triggering the development of diseases and disorders such as obesity, diabetes, CVD, mental health, possibly, cancer, etc.
The significance of culture is, perhaps, the crucial factor in determining the eating habits of a certain tier of the target population. As a recent study shows, the implications of cultural dieting traditions are likely to have a drastic effect on the health status of their representatives. For instance, the study carried out by Christakis and Fowler (2007) indicates that the current trends in eating habits development cause a significant increase in obesity rates among the U.S. population.
It would be wrong to assume that the unique eating habits that are characteristic of a particular ethnic group are intrinsically wrong and, therefore, harmful. Centuries of a careful observation of the effects that various nutrients have on people allow for defining a rather efficient diet, as some of the current eating traditions show. Particularly, the famous Okinawa diet has proven to serve as an efficient tool for achieving impressive longevity rates in a community and avoiding major health concerns related to obesity, CVD, etc. However, the specified phenomenon can be viewed as an exception from the rule rather than a specific pattern in it. Likewise, the Mediterranean diet explored by Sofi et al. (2010) can be viewed as a good choice for improving one’s health status and reducing mortality rates to a considerable degree. Although the efficacy of long-term observation of effects of certain nutrition styles on the target denizens of the population is admittedly efficient, it may only work fast and deliver significant results once the contemporary tools for diagnosing and treating health concerns are incorporated.
Herein the significance of drawing a line between the traditional dietary patterns and the clinically recommended ones lies. Although certain practices are worth looking into a source of possible dietary options, most traditions trigger rather undesirable effects, especially as far as the ones inspired by the changes brought by globalization are concerned. The need to keep pace with the rest of the world compels people to sacrifice proper eating rituals and, therefore, suffer health issues. Therefore, it is imperative that healthy eating habits should be promoted among all members of the U.S. population. It should be noted, though, that the socially acquired eating habits of the target population must be reviewed, as some of them may turn out to be compatible with the recommended eating patterns.
Although clinicians and nurses focus on the promotion of healthy nutrition habits in order to address the current disease rates in various communities, the specifics of local cultures still define the health status of the residents. Specifically, the emphasis on the food rich in fats and carbohydrates triggers an increase in obesity rates. As a result, the development of CVD, diabetes, cancer, etc., among the members of the communities in question becomes a tangible threat.
Reference List
Christakis, N. A., &Fowler, J. H. (2007). The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years. The New England Journal of Medicine, 357(4), 370–379.
Sofi, F., Abbate, R., Gensini, G. F., & Casini, A. (2010). Accruing evidence on benefits of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on health: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 92(5), 1189–1196.
Willcox, D. C., Willcox, B.J., Todoriki, H., & Suzuki, M. (2009). The Okinawan diet: Health implications of a low-calorie, nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich dietary pattern low in glycemic load. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 28(1), 500–516.