Diet and Lifestyle choices reflect an unhealthy human environment.
Humanity should be healthier than ever. Today, we have greater access to food, clean water, shelter, and healthcare than any previous generation. Deaths from war, infectious diseases, and physical violence have declined significantly, thanks to advances in medicine, public health, and infrastructure. Acute illnesses, from bacterial infections to workplace injuries, are increasingly preventable and, if they do occur, are more survivable than ever due to sophisticated medical interventions [1].
But we are not. Chronic diseases, mental health disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions have become common, and these diagnoses are occurring at younger and younger ages [2]. Obesity and childhood illnesses are pervasive, fertility rates have dropped, and healthcare has become one of the largest industries globally, contributing significantly to GDP and employment in most developed countries [3].
The Shift from Resilient to Sick
Something changed in the last century. Humanity has gone from being lean, resilient, and healthy to an era where we are now more likely to be overweight, suffering from insomnia, and struggling with chronic diseases. Yes, our material needs and calorie requirements are met, and people live longer, but our collective health seems to have deteriorated [4].
The Problem with Lifestyle and Diet Advice
One would assume public health authorities would be tackling this crisis with urgency. Instead, the prevailing advice regarding the chronic disease epidemic seems to ‘focus on individual diet and lifestyle choices’ and, of course, the ubiquitous ‘Management of Chronic Disease’. But is that enough? Is it even appropriate?
The truth is people make choices based on the environments in which they live. The structure of our diets, daily routines, and activities is not a product of mere willpower but is heavily influenced by the reality of the world we live in and is certainly worsened by socio-economic conditions and environmental factors. People naturally respond to the world around them, an environment that is increasingly shaped by factors beyond their control [5].
The modern food system exemplifies this issue. Supermarkets are stocked with foods that, while readily available, are often nutritionally depleted, filled with additives, and, in some cases, laced with pesticides and toxins [6]. The influence of microplastics, hormone disruptors, and technology that disrupts our natural circadian rhythms on human health is becoming increasingly evident [7].
The Real Culprit: The Commercialization of the Human Environment
I have always provided diet and lifestyle advice. That is fair and good. But poor CHOICES are not to blame. Rather than suggesting that individuals merely make healthier choices, we need to acknowledge that many aspects of our “lifestyle” are shaped by the Modern Human Environment and tainted by corporate interests. Nutritionally barren foods, environmental pollutants, and other health hazards in our surroundings are the products of a modern industrialized environment, driven by profit and efficiency rather than health [8].
Unhealth “choices” are, in reality, a response to this environment—one that individuals have limited ability to change. Ironically, the companies that profit from creating these environmental conditions are often the same ones profiting from the healthcare industry that manages the chronic illnesses these conditions contribute to [9].
A Call for Systemic Change
So, does encouraging individual behaviour change address the core issues behind our modern health crisis? No. The root causes lie in the structural changes to our environment, driven primarily by commercial interests. Addressing these underlying factors is key to meaningful change.
Rather than placing the onus on individuals to make healthier choices in an unhealthy environment, we need a public health approach that prioritizes regulation of environmental pollutants, the food industry, and corporate practices that contribute to poor health outcomes. People need to eat better and improve their lifestyles, but they are fighting an uphill battle. True progress will require confronting the systems that make these environmental changes profitable.
References:
Ritchie, H., & Roser, M. (2019). "War and Peace". Our World in Data.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). "Chronic Disease in America".
The World Bank. (2023). "Health Expenditure as Percentage of GDP".
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). "Global Health Statistics".
Loring, B., & Robertson, A. (2014). "Obesity and inequities". WHO Europe.
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). (2023). "Chemical contaminants in food".
PubMed. "The impact of microplastics and environmental disruptors on health".
National Library of Medicine. "Corporate Influence on Public Health".
Cohen, D., & Carter, P. (2019). "Conflicts of Interest and the Medical Profession". BMJ.
Copyright Dr Christopher Maclay 2024. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, it does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with your health care practitioner for personalised medical advice.