In the field of global health, there are many well understood examples of the spread of infectious disease across continents, yet evidence supporting the worldwide spread of chronic disease due to global changes in dietary habits is less documented. During my travels to areas with extreme longevity in Costa Rica with the Spanish Department, octogenarians expressed that they feel stronger than their younger counterparts in their sixties and seventies. They attributed this to the uniquely healthy diet from their youth, including the nixtamal tortilla, that is no longer consumed to the same extent due to changes in the availability of alternative foods. This project aims to determine to what extent scientific literature supports the proposed connection between fast food availability and a decline in Costa Rica’s preeminent older adult longevity. Evidence was identified that indicates negative impacts on the mortality rates of middle-aged Costa Ricans who otherwise would have contributed to future older adult longevity. The association between fast foods and increased mortality is supported by studies demonstrating that individuals in urban areas with higher socioeconomic status have higher mortality rates. This has been attributed to caloric intake by wealthier groups associated with increased fried food consumption outside the home. Evidence shows that the accessibility of fried foods increased dramatically as the economy became increasingly globalized. The number of KFCs and other fast food restaurants have increased, while trade agreements with the United States have increased the importation of American foods. Similar examples in other countries indicate that decreased longevity may be related to a global trend of economic growth followed by increased mortality. While researchers have recognized the connection between economic growth and dietary changes, they argue that there needs to be more documentation of the spread of these “nutritional transitions” and their effects on the lifespan of different populations.
Author: Sarah Soppe
Faculty Advisors: Cameron Hay-Rollins, Department of Anthropology, and Paul Flaspohler, Department of Psychology
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