Americans Eating Way to Grave--Koop

Americans are eating their way to early graves, bite by bite and meal by meal, consuming too much fat, seasoning it with too much salt and washing it down with too much alcohol, according to a report issued today by the U.S. surgeon general.

“Overconsumption of certain dietary components is now a major concern for Americans,” the report said, noting that “diseases of dietary excess and imbalance” are among the leading causes of death in the United States.

Many Americans are overweight, don’t eat enough fruit, vegetables and whole grains and often fail to get required nutrients such as calcium and iron.

Of the 2.1 million Americans who died last year, the surgeon general’s study said nearly 1.5 million succumbed to diseases associated with diet.

‘Imbalance in Nutrients’

“What we eat may affect our risk for several of the leading causes of death for Americans, notably, coronary heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and some types of cancer,” the report said. “These disorders together now account for more than two-thirds of all deaths in the United States.”

Though malnutrition is a problem in several parts of the world and for certain Americans, the report said, “for most of us the more likely problem has become one of overeating--too many calories for our activity levels and an imbalance in the nutrients consumed along with them.”

In a forward to the report, Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said he is convinced that through “a concerted effort” by policy makers and the public, “our daily diets can bring a substantial measure of better health to all Americans.”

The 712-page report cites more than 2,000 scientific studies from around the world and was compiled with the advice of more than 200 doctors, nutritionists and biochemists.

2 Drinks a Day

Among the major findings:

--Most people should reduce the consumption of fat, especially saturated fats, such as from eggs, butter or untrimmed red meat. It suggests more vegetables and fruits, fish, poultry, lean meats and low-fat dairy products.

--More whole grain foods, cereal products, vegetables and fruits should be in the diet.

--Sodium consumption should be reduced by limiting the use of salt in food preparation and at the table.

--Alcohol intake should be reduced to two drinks a day “if at all.” Pregnant women should avoid any alcohol, it said.