The spread of Western fast-food culture is reshaping eating habits and health outcomes globally and not for the better.
America’s love affair with fast food is closely linked to its sky-high obesity rates, a health issue that is linked to an increased risk of 13 different types of cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC’s statistics also show that 41.9 percent of US adults were classified as obese as of 2020, up from 30.5 percent in 2000.
And new research shows that this health crisis is rapidly spreading as Eastern countries, particularly China, adopt Western diets. As traditional diets rich in vegetables, fruits, and grains are displaced by high-fat, high-sugar, and heavily processed foods, the negative consequences on health are becoming starkly evident.
The Western diet moves East
The Western diet, characterized by a high intake of red meat, processed foods, and sugary beverages, has long been associated with a host of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.
A comprehensive review published in Nature Reviews Microbiology by APC Microbiome Ireland and Teagasc highlights the profound impact of such diets on the gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms living in our intestines, which plays a crucial role in our overall health.
The study reveals how Western dietary patterns significantly alter the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome, leading to an increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer.
“Our review highlights the profound impact of different diets on the gut microbiome,” Professor Catherine Stanton, an APC principal investigator and senior principal research officer at Teagasc, said in a statement.
“This understanding is crucial for developing dietary recommendations that promote health and prevent disease,” Stanton said.
The review emphasizes the detrimental effects of the Western diet, particularly when compared to diets like the Mediterranean, which is rich in plant-based foods and has been shown to protect against a range of diseases.
Unsplash/Mary West
The Mediterranean diet, high in fruits and vegetables, is particularly effective in managing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, IBD, and type 2 diabetes. In contrast, the Western diet’s high fat and sugar content contributes to the development of obesity and related diseases, including cancer. And its ill effects are on the move.
Rising cancer rates in China
Another paper published today in the journal Med reveals that obesity-related cancer rates in China have been rising at an alarming rate, particularly among younger populations. The study, which analyzed cancer incidence data from 2007 to 2021, found that the rate of obesity-related cancers in China increased by 3.6 percent annually during this period.
This sharp rise is contrasted with the stable incidence of non-obesity-related cancers such as lung and bladder cancers.
Jin-Kui Yang, MD, the study’s corresponding author and an endocrinologist at Capital Medical University in Beijing, warned of the severe implications of this trend. “If we don’t drastically change the obesity epidemic, the rates of cancer associated with obesity will inevitably continue to rise,” Yang said.
“It will place a large burden on China’s economy and healthcare system,” Yang said.
The study is particularly concerning because it shows that obesity-related cancers are increasing most rapidly among younger age groups. For instance, people aged 25 to 29 experienced a more than a 15 percent annual increase in obesity-related cancer rates, compared to a less than 1.6 percent increase among those aged 60 to 65.
Furthermore, individuals born between 1997 and 2001 were found to be 25 times more likely to be diagnosed with obesity-related cancers than those born between 1962 and 1966.
How diet relates to cancer rates
The adoption of Western dietary habits is a major factor driving the obesity epidemic in China, particularly among younger people. As more Chinese consumers shift toward diets high in meat, fats, and sugars—staples of the Western diet—rates of overweight and obesity have surged.
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According to the study, by 2019, 34 percent of Chinese adults were overweight, and 16 percent were classified as obese. These numbers are even more concerning among children and adolescents, who are experiencing even faster increases in overweight and obesity rates.
“Overweight and obesity rates among Chinese children and adolescents are approaching those of the US despite years of public health efforts focused primarily on raising awareness,” Yang said. “These strategies have not been sufficient.”
“Moving forward, we urgently need more effective and aggressive approaches, possibly including medications and calorie labeling, to reduce obesity in the country,” Yang said.
The link between obesity—as well as processed meat consumption—and cancer is well-established, with excess body fat contributing to the development of several types of cancer, including colorectal, breast, thyroid, kidney, and uterus cancers.
These cancers were among the fastest-growing types in China during the study period, particularly among younger people.
The economic burden of Western diets
The rise in obesity-related cancers also poses a significant economic burden. As cancer treatment costs continue to climb, the growing prevalence of obesity-related cancers is expected to place an increasing strain on China’s healthcare system.
This is particularly concerning given the high cost of cancer treatment and the long-term care often required for survivors.
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Moreover, the rising cancer rates among younger populations suggest that the economic impact could be even more severe in the coming years. As more young people are diagnosed with cancer, the loss of productivity and the long-term healthcare costs associated with treatment and recovery will likely place an even greater burden on the economy.
Given the alarming rise in obesity-related cancers in China, there is a clear need for more aggressive public health measures to combat the obesity epidemic. While awareness campaigns and educational efforts have been in place for years, they have not been sufficient to curb the rising rates of obesity and related cancers.
“Without aggressive public health measures, obesity-related cancer rates in China could double in the next decade,” Yang said.
Plant-based diets offer a solution
As Western dietary habits continue to spread globally, a strategic shift toward plant-based diets can offer a solution.
While research continues to link processed meat to increased cancer risk, studies have demonstrated that diets focused on whole, minimally processed foods—such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds—can help prevent, manage, and even reverse chronic health conditions. This approach improves blood sugar control, aids in weight loss, and reduces inflammation, all of which are crucial in mitigating the risk of obesity-related cancers.
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And plant-based diets have been linked to lower rates of colorectal cancer, one of the fastest-growing obesity-related cancers in China.
Back in the US, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been a longtime advocate of weaving plant-based diets into policy shifts to help alleviate obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and other health issues.
In NYC, implementing plant-based meal options in public institutions such as schools and hospitals has shown significant health and environmental benefits. A shift toward plant-based diets also presents substantial economic advantages in NYC, where the adoption of these programs is expected to save up to $500,000 annually by reducing healthcare costs associated with chronic disease management.
At last year’s Conference of Mayors, 1,400 elected officials joined Adams in signing a resolution to champion the promotion of plant-based eating as a way to combat the obesity epidemic and its associated health costs, which have reached approximately $173 billion per year in the US.
“The resolution also is in alignment with our position on the interface of human and planetary health, which acknowledges that the leading cause of chronic disease and the leading cause of so many of our most pressing global sustainability issues is one and the same: our Western dietary pattern,” Beth Frates, MD, President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine told VegNews at the time.
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
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Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.
