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Math: By 2606, American Diet Will Be 100% Sugar
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Feb 19, 2012
Modified Feb 19, 2012
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Feb 19, 2012
Modified Feb 19, 2012
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That Lucky Charms sifter might have seemed like the perfect Christmas gift, but it will obsolete in 600 years! Obesity researcher Stephan Guyenet obtained rare data of American's sugar intake since the early 19th century and found that "in 1822, we ate the amount of added sugar in one 12 ounce can of soda every five days, while today we eat that much sugar every seven hours." The increase of sugar in our diet has been so steady, Guyenet is able to illustrate that Americans will be eating 100% sugar by 2606.
One commenter on Guyenet's piece points out, "It will asymptote towards 100% but never get there, as there is always some protein and fat," but that disclaimer doesn't make for sexy Health Department ad copy. What might work? "The Future is The Fly."
Tagged
diabetes
fat nation
lucky charms
obesity
obesity epidemic
sugar
the fly
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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