Could Japanese Americans be more at risk for anorexia?

It may not seem like much of a shock, but the typical Japanese girl is almost held accountable to be a tiny little stick. Japanese girls are known for being thinner, so if one of them just so happens to be struggling with their weight, there is more pressure for them to change their body. According to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, anorexia rates are continuing to go up in Japan. It seems logical that anorexia would especially be a concern to Japanese girls who travel to America. They are used to their cuisine back at home, and after eating American food, they begin to gain weight. According to a video found on youtube, there is a lady who went through this exact situation. Thankfully, she did not choose anorexia to fix her problems because she truly enjoyed eating. Luckily she could solve her problem by traditionally cooking her food and incorporating this western diet into her original cuisine. What about the girls who feel as though diets do not work, so they choose to starve themselves? It seems as though it is a hopeless situation, and I truly would like to help those who struggle with it. There is only so much we can do in such a thin-focused society.
Here is a link to some statistics on anorexia: http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/anorexia/statistics.htm

HIYA! KAPOW! Why are Asians so skinny?

picture is from candicekitchen.com

Asian people are so little, in both height and width. Especially in comparison to fellow Americans, Asians are typically much thinner. Does this have to do with genetics, or the food they may or may not consume? I am going to guess that it us a little bit of both. The main course does not consist of meat, but is very focused on rice and vegetables. Their culture's food pyramid is much different than ours, they typically only eat red meat about once a month, eggs and poultry weekly, and daily eat fruits, vegetables, rice, and sometimes fish. This is drastically different from the typical diet of an American. For most Americans, red meat is a daily part of their diet, and they rarely get all five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. A lot of people think that Asians are just naturally skinny as a result of genetics. This is true for any race or ethinicity. Lets say that two people eat the same exact diet for a month. Will those individuals gain or lose the exact same amount of weight? Of course not, because no two bodies are exactly alike. While it is true that most Asians are built with a smaller frame, that does not necessarily mean that they are destined to be thin. I know plenty of Americans that are "thin as a rail " no matter what they eat they cannot gain weight. While genetics does play a role in a persons body build, diet is equally as important to staying at a healthy weight.

Macaroni, peas,and tuna...a delicious combination?

I know most human beings do not enjoy eating five fruits or vegetables a day, but is this an impossible task? I think not! I love mixing my foods together. I am not very anal about my food touching, and the more variety there is, the better it tastes. I am told that I am weird for doing this, but I do not care. I am mixing healthy things in with a less healthy food choice, and thus forth I feel better about my meal. I know it is a struggle to mix in veggies with a meal, but I have food ways to make this experience more pleasurable. Most any vegetable, in my humble opinion, tastes better in cheese. I am quite aware that cheese is fattening, but it is the one thing I truly enjoy to indulge in. Macaroni is one of my favorite things to eat, and I will put just about anytihng in my macaroni. Ingredients may include peas, tuna, mushrooms, brocolli, beets, peppers, tomatoes, green beans, spinach and just about any green vegetable. If you are looking for some protein, adding some lean meat such as grilled chicken, ham, turkey, or roast beef might just do the trick for you. This is a simple way to make a meal healthier, and taste better! Some times students have to be creative, especially when eating in the cafeteria. So instead of just giving in and getting the usual slice of pizza, try this technique out. I know that some people think I am crazy, but there are those few people who commend me for my delicious dishes. This will make the cafeteria experience more interesting and enjoyable, and will start some interesting conversations as you compare your different creations with your peers.

Old school way of slimming down



Photo is of the Dodd family farm in Colorado,
and was taken by Barbara Lewellen

Would it be better if we just went back to our old ways when there was not a single state with more than 20% obesity? What would happen if people started buying organic food more often? Although I know it would be more expensive at first, I believe it would be worth it. The companies would be hurting for money, and maybe they would begin to change their ways. It would take a large chunk of America to truly change this, but it would bring about a much needed change.  Just think about it. If more people began to farm, not only would they begin to eat some of their own more nutricious food, they would also get some much needed exercise. Maybe the larger corporations would begin to make more of their own food instead of having it shipped from overseas. Then the people working in the ware houses would be able to get outside and smell the fresh air , along with getting more exercise. This possibility would most likely up the amount of tractors and farming equipment being made, and more manual labor jobs would be in demand. This could potentially lead to more jobs, and help out the economy. We should begin to get food from our own resources, not that of other countries we are in debt to. As of right now, I am quite aware that buying organic food is a bit more expensive. The big companies could begin to be more aware of their effects and start to find other options that were used back in the less obese days of America. I know it is possible to overcome this hurdle, seeing that we were at one time a slimmer nation. Some people should try to step up and go old school, to better themselves and those who decide to invest in their products.