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Definition
Decreases glycogen synthesis and use of glucose for energy
Increases fat breakdown for energy
Increased risk of high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and diabetes
Acromegaly: tissues, organs and bones grow abnormally large |
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Term
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Definition
Much of the food in the US comes from the 2 million farms - this is a lot less than in 1935 when there were 6.5 million farms
Challenges of farming: there are high costs, demands for lower prices, competition and dependence on weather and natural occurrences
Regardless of the difficulties, the farmers take advantage of the government subsidized crops known as commodity crops, especially corn and soybeans.
This however causes farmers to prioritize on such commodity crops instead of fruits and vegetables
Midwest US provides 2/3 of worlds supply of corn |
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Term
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Definition
Cows are often confined to feedlots where they are fed hay and inedible plant parts so they grow to ~ 1,000 pounds and can be slaughtered
Americans eat more poultry products than either beef or pork
United States exports approx. 30% of it’s income from farms to other countries.
Individuals in foreign countries are starting to become wealthier and they are beginning to adopt american diets |
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Term
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Definition
| rapidly growing incidence of obesity worldwide. Ex: in the 80’s only 10% of Mexicans were overweight and now over 65% |
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Term
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Definition
There is a large demand for food during the winter seasons in the US and so most fruits and vegetables are imported from Mexico and other countries
Additionally, farming in the US is very expensive and importing allows for cheaper food - this however can cause more risk of food contamination |
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Term
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Definition
Natural resources are used internally to produce food and externally to move these food products from the far to the consumer
Ex: land overuse leads to excessive use of farming equipment and overgrazing which causes damage to the soil
Ex: Soil erosion causes crop yield to decline due to wind and rain causing topsoil to be blown and washed away
Ex: Water depletion due to excessive irrigation can deplete naturally occurring groundwater
Ex: water runoff, nitrate production and airborne emissions… |
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Term
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Definition
greenhouse production
Use of fossil fuels to harvest, process and transport food contributes to the release of carbon dioxide.
The carbon dioxide and other gases released when fossil fuels are burned are referred to as greenhouse gases. These gases absorb and trap heat in the air and re-radiate the heat downward |
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Definition
| a person who attempts to eat locally grown food as often as possible |
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Term
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Definition
Satisfies human food needs, enhance environmental quality and natural resources, makes the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources, sustains economic viability of farmers and enhances quality of life for farmers and society in which they live.
Sustainable = being able to be maintained indefinitely |
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Term
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Definition
Substances that kill or repel pests such as insects, weeds, microorganisms, rodents or fungi
Herbicides: used to kill weeds
Antimicrobials: those used to kill microorganisms
Fungicides: used to kill fungi
Biopesticides: biologically based pesticides which use materials from animals, plants, bactecides, and some minerals. Less toxic than chemically based pesticides
Ex: baking soda can inhibit growth of fungi
Pesticides help promote abundant crop production |
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Term
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Definition
| a group of synthetic pesticides that adversely affect the nervous systems of pests. |
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Definition
can cause unintended harm to animals, environment and humans
Some pesticides can cause depending on their level of toxicity may cause serious health problems.
Pesticide use is heavily regulated in the US via risk assessment
Hazard identification
Dose-response assessment
Exposure assessment
Risk characterization |
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Term
| Reducing Pesticides in Food |
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Definition
| wash thoroughly with a vegetable washer under water to displace bacteria. Peel fruits and vegetables to help reduce pesticides. Eating a variety of foods helps reduce chances of overexposure. |
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Term
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Definition
US Sales of Organic Products has grown from $1 billion in 1990 to $27 billion in 2012
Organic: growing crops without the use of some of the synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, bioengineering, or irradiation
Organic meat, poultry, dairy, eggs are free of antibiotics or growth hormones
Organic food is not free from pesticides. Many can still reach them simply by being carried by wind or rainwater |
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Term
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Definition
USDA has not found any advantage to organic vs non organic foods
If label is 100% organic then the product must be composed of 100% organic ingredients
If label says organic or has the seal then it is made with 95% organic ingredients
If label says “made with organic ingredients” then at least 70% of product is organic
If label doesn’t make any claims then less than 70% of ingredients are organic |
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Term
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Definition
application of biological techniques to living cells which alters their genetic makeup
Farmers can crossbreed different versions to produce desired traits - plant breeding |
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Term
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Definition
a biological technique that isolates and manipulates the genes of organisms to produce a targeted, modified product (GMO’s)
Ex: corn which is resistant to specific pests
GMO’s were produced in order to create an improved tolerance to herbicides
Also produced to provide consumers with added nutritional value and increasing shelf-life
Ex: “golden” rice can make beta-carotene and stockpile extra iron. This could help eliminate epidemic of Vitamin A and iron deficiency in Asia |
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Term
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Definition
Concern of undesirable genetic trait
Introduction of allergens
Excessive levels of toxins
Changes in nutrients
Creation of unsafe substances
Unsafe animal feeds |
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Term
| Food Policy and Influence for Healthier Foods |
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Definition
| Ex: Whole grains - consumers have started to buy and consume more whole grains simply because the manufacturers have included whole grains in their products |
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Term
| Food Policy and Influence on Unhealthy Foods |
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Definition
| FDA issued food labeling policy on trans fat cause some manufacturers to reformulate their formulas to exclude trans fat. However, they may have replaced with unhealthy fats such as butter and palm oil. The 0 grams trans fat on the labels can place a false sense of healthy eating to customers when it is in fact causing the opposing effect. |
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Term
| Politics of Food Industry |
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Definition
| Lobbyists: person paid by companies to meet and persuade politicians to vote on pending legislation is a direction that would favor the interests of the party |
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