Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2020
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Type
Dissertation
Abstract
Malnutrition in some form impacts nearly one-third of the global population. Across the world, countries are undergoing the Үutrition transitionӠfrom traditional and largely unprocessed diets to Western-style, energy-dense diets. At the same time, rates of overweight and obesity and diet-related chronic diseases continue to climb. Ultra-processed foods (UPF), sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), and vegetable oils are three of the foods driving the nutrition transition. This dissertation calculates changes in the global food supply between 1961 and 2013 and quantifies the influence of UPF and SSB (as measured through sales) on national nutrient supplies between 2005 and 2013 and trends in adult and child and adolescent BMI, overweight, and obesity between 2005 and 2015. Globally, the fatty acid (FA) supply has grown larger and more heavily weighted towards omega-6 FA, while growing less diverse as a result of vegetable oil production. UPF and SSB sales are associated with country nutrient supplies that are higher in calories, carbohydrates, and total fat. Sales also predict increases in average BMI for most groups and increases in overweight and obesity prevalence for some groups. This national-level analysis strengthens the argument for global and national level regulation of UPF and SSB.
Language
English (en)
Chair and Committee
Lora Iannotti
Committee Members
Douglas Luke, Amy Eyler, Rachel Tabak, Corinna Treitel,
Recommended Citation
Eaton, Jacob, "Pillars of the Nutrition Transition: The Global Impacts of Ultra-Processed Foods and Beverages on Overweight and Obesity and National Nutrient Supplies" (2020). Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2180.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/art_sci_etds/2180
Included in
Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons, Agricultural Economics Commons, Human and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons