Western pattern diet

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

The Western pattern diet, often termed the standard American diet, represents a contemporary dietary regimen predominant in Western societies. Characterized by its high content of processed meat, red meat, butter, fried foods, fatty dairy products, eggs, high fructose corn syrup, and certain sugary beverages, it epitomizes the nutritional shifts that have occurred following the Neolithic and Industrial Revolutions.[1]

Tacos in a soft tortilla
Chicago Style Hotdog
Cheeseburger with lettuce

Historical Development[edit | edit source]

Emerging from transitions in agricultural practices and industrial advancements, the modern Western diet traces its roots to fundamental societal and lifestyle transformations. The move from hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming communities during the Neolithic Revolution led to the domestication of plants and animals, paving the way for grain-based diets and animal husbandry. Subsequent to the Industrial Revolution, with its innovations in food production and processing, the availability and affordability of processed foods surged, reshaping the dietary landscape of Western societies.

Characteristics[edit | edit source]

This diet predominantly features:

Health Implications[edit | edit source]

Risks[edit | edit source]

The Western pattern diet is intrinsically linked to several health risks:

  • Weight Issues: Adherence to this dietary pattern correlates with heightened risks of being overweight or obese.
  • Metabolic Conditions: A strong association exists between the Western diet and the onset of diabetes mellitus and other metabolic syndromes.

Comparisons to Healthy Diets[edit | edit source]

In stark contrast to the Western pattern diet, healthy diets emphasize:

  • Fruits and Vegetables: Increased intake of fruits, which offer a plethora of vitamins, minerals, and fibers.
  • Proteins: Preference for lean protein sources like fish and poultry.
  • Whole Foods: Emphasis on whole-grain foods and nuts, which are dense in nutrients and beneficial fats.
  • Adopting such balanced dietary practices promotes better health outcomes, reduces chronic disease risks, and aids in maintaining optimal body weight.

Summary[edit | edit source]

While the Western pattern diet mirrors the convenience and tastes of modern Western societies, it also embodies the health challenges of contemporary lifestyles. Awareness and education about its potential risks, juxtaposed with the benefits of healthier dietary alternatives, are essential for promoting public health and well-being.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women". American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
Western pattern diet Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski

WikiMD.png


WikiMD is the world's largest, free medical and wellness encyclopedia edited only by professionals. Advertise!



Diets
Dieting Diet - Cuisine - Dietitian - Hunger - Leptin - Meal - Nutrition - Obesity : Staple food
Types Ketogenic diet - Low carbohydrate diet - Weight loss diet
  By food ingredients Omnivore - Entomophagy - Pescetarian - Plant-based
Regional diets Western - Mediterranean - Sustainable diets - Low carbon - Planetary
Religious diets Buddhist - Christian - Hindu - Islamic - Jain - Jewish - Rastafari - Sikh
 Vegetarianism and veganism   Dried fruit - Fruitarianism - Meat analogue - Milk substitute - Raw vegan - Tofu - Semi-vegetarianism
Supplement diets Bodybuilding supplements  - Meal replacement - Therapeutic food - Non-solid diets - Liquid diets - Very-low-calorie diet
Misc.topics Food pyramid - Fruits & Veggies – More Matters - Healthy eating pyramid - Latin American Diet Pyramid - French paradox - Mediterranean Diet Pyramid - MyPlate - MyPyramid - Vegetarian Diet Pyramid
Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD