Adult Obesity Rates Have Doubled in 30 Years, Child Rates Have Tripled!

Junk food, processed items... Our surroundings are overflowing with food that can quickly fill our stomachs. The problem is that once we get used to this convenience, we can go through life without fresh fruits and vegetables. In America, the "holy land" of fast food, one in four people visits a fast-food restaurant daily, with annual sales reaching $110 billion.



Taking this obesity problem seriously and stepping up to find a solution is British chef Jamie Oliver. Many of you will likely recognize his name and face. Yes, it's the same "Jamie" who gained sudden fame over a decade ago with his BBC cooking show "The Naked Chef" and the "The Naked Chef" recipe book series.

Following Oliver's activities over the past few years, it's clear he has transformed from the "Naked Chef" known for simple, delicious food into a "food revolutionary" who aims to make everyone healthier through food. In 2002, he successfully trained young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, who had never visited a restaurant, to become chefs at his newly opened restaurant. Since 2004, he has been working to improve school lunches, starting with a public middle school in South London.

“If we all take small steps, we can create a revolution.”

British school lunches had been a problem for about 20 years, ever since they were privatized and outsourced to private contractors, leading to a decline in quality. Oliver, a father of four, was shocked by the reality of school lunches dominated by low-nutrient junk food and the significant impact such food had on children. He launched his campaign to improve them, driven by the desire to "provide healthy food for growing children."



This is a major food education event that anyone in the world can participate in, in their own way. There's only one rule: enjoy a "body-loving" home-cooked meal made with fresh fruits and vegetables, together with loved ones—family, friends, or colleagues. Those who love to eat might host a meal, or join one organized by someone else. If you enjoy cooking for others, why not use this occasion to host a cooking class? Those who wish to support Oliver's efforts can organize a charity dinner to raise funds.



The collected donations will be used for food improvement initiatives, such as food education for children, through Oliver's foundation established in the UK, USA, and Australia, where the problem of obesity is particularly severe.



"I can't solve all the problems by myself. But if we all take small steps, we can create a revolution. Any method is fine. You can join a meal, or host your own. The important thing is to share correct knowledge about food with your family, friends, and community," said Oliver.

First, let's become more interested in what we put into our bodies. Then, let's enjoy meals that nourish us, together with others. This event may serve as an opportunity to reflect on these simple, perhaps forgotten, yet important aspects of life.

Food Revolution Day (English Website)
http://foodrevolutionday.com/