Today is ‘Healthy Eating Day’ – an important topic that should accompany us 365 days a year. But everyday life looks different. Austrians eat twice as much sweet and fatty food as the body needs – this not only has serious consequences for the scales, but also shortens our healthy lifespan.
Actually, the belt on the waistband should be tightening due to price increases and inflation, but the opposite is the case. More than half of the men and women in Austria weigh too many kilos – the step from “a little hip gold” to dangerous obesity passes as quickly as the waiting time in the drive-in at the Kistenwirt.
XXL in the nursery
But things are not looking any better for our children and young people either; almost a third are overweight or even obese – and the trend is rising sharply. This poses a major health risk for offspring: anyone who is overweight at a young age is more likely to develop diabetes, cancer and many other diseases than someone of normal weight – not to mention the psychological stress.
You are what you eat!
Everyone knows that one of the main causes of obesity is poor nutrition. Especially if your diet largely consists of foods that contain a lot of sugar and fat. But this eating behavior is often even encouraged in our schools, because quick hunger is satisfied with sausage rolls, pizza slices and chocolate donuts. At the school buffet you usually look in vain for healthy alternatives, but these are not only good for your figure, but also have a significantly positive influence on the performance of our students.
Transferring knowledge to schools
Maria Fanninger, who works with her association “Land creates life“ advocates, among other things, better food at local schools, says: ‘All you can eat’ is only possible with one food: vegetables. But we eat far too little of that and far too much sweet and fatty food. Combined with too little exercise, this is the formula for weight gain in children.”
But where can you start?
To prevent the number of overweight children from continuing to rise so rapidly, something needs to change not only in the school buffet, but also in the curriculum: “If I don’t know what healthy eating looks like, I can’t eat healthy,” says Fanninger.
First stone in childhood
“Not everyone has the privilege of learning about food and nutrition from their parents. That is why it must be learned at school. Because every child has the right to know how to stay healthy with their diet and what risks a wrong diet entails – regardless of where they come from and how they grew up,” says the friendly expert Fanninger.
“Good nutrition” should be part of the timetable
A look at the healthy years of life also shows that such measures have the highest priority in Austria. These are by definition the years in which someone lives in good health and without limitations.
Healthy until old age
According to Eurostat, an average Austrian lives only 61 healthy years – and that with a life expectancy of more than 80 years. We spend a quarter of our lives in poor health.
So the signals are clear! The foundation for our health is laid in our own kitchen – at a young age. It is all the more important to pass on this knowledge to our children and set an example – both at school and in everyday family life.
Tear cord instead of gastric band
The current trend towards pervasive malnutrition will also place enormous strain on our healthcare system. Politicians are expected to integrate the right measures and content into the curricula. Because if Hans eats too much, Hans may no longer be able to lose weight. But he should at least know about it.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
