Nauru – From Wealth to Obesity
The country with the highest obesity rate in the world is not the United States, but a small island in the South Pacific with a population of only about 11,000 — Nauru. More than 94% of the population is overweight or obese, with an average weight of 225 pounds, and the incidence of diabetes is the highest in the world.
In 1975, Nauru became one of the world's wealthiest countries due to its phosphate mining industry. However, with resource depletion and rampant corruption, the country fell into poverty. Subsequently, the local diet shifted from a traditional system based on fish, coconuts, fruits, and vegetables to imported Western processed foods. Due to infertile land and severe marine pollution, agriculture and fishing could not be restored, forcing the people to rely on imported food, and even drinking water had to be imported.
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The trap of ultra-processed foods
The root cause of Nauru's obesity problem lies in ultra-processed foods . The three main components of these foods include: artificial starches (such as modified starch and maltodextrin), synthetic sugars (such as high-fructose corn syrup), and seed oils (such as corn oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and cottonseed oil).
These ingredients, after being subjected to extreme processing, have lost their original nutritional value and become "non-food" substances. Seed oils are particularly destructive, rich in unstable omega- 6 fatty acids, which are easily oxidized, causing inflammation and insulin resistance in the body. Although sugar intake has decreased slightly in recent years, the consumption of seed oils has increased rapidly, growing almost in parallel with obesity rates.
Altered Appetite and Health Crisis
These ultra-processed foods not only lead to nutritional deficiencies but also make it difficult for the body to feel full, creating a vicious cycle of "the more you eat, the hungrier you get." Long-term consumption can cause chronic inflammation, obesity, and diabetes, and may even affect the brain's response to hunger and satisfaction. These foods should be labeled with "black box warnings," similar to those for medications, to inform consumers of their serious side effects.
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Conclusion: Rediscovering the Education of Authentic Food
Nauru's example reminds us that true health begins with "understanding food." Only by returning to natural, unprocessed foods, and avoiding high-sugar, high-fat, and artificial additives, can we escape the threats of chronic diseases and obesity. Educating the public to redefine "food" is key to changing their health destiny.
YouTube source: https://youtu.be/Dq2OpsLzYQ0
YouTube Column: Dr. Berg's Chinese Health Knowledge
