Thanks Pete- Re:Malnutrition in South America

[Zorrowins]

Thanks for sharing that information regarding malnutrition & South America. I guess I need to spend at least 90 days in South America to be an expert!  :-) The older guys on this board know what I mean! In Viet Nam a guy could go to OTS (Officer Training School) for 90 days and come out a 2nd Lt. and outrank a Sargeant with 20 years in the service. Thusly he was a 90 day wonder! So Pete since you actually live in South America as opposed to most of us-Why do the Latinas look so much younger than their cronological age?

[Pete E]

... in response to Thanks Pete- Re:Malnutrition in South Am..., posted by Zorrowins on Dec 15, 2004

I'm not sure they look younger,but they look better,because they KNOW it is their only ticket.Remember we are not talking about the entire population but the hotties who join agencies.You go out in the barrios and most don't look so good.
There might even be a genetic advantage.Darker skinned people seem to age better.But at a certain age that gets overwhelmed by bad nutrition and lifestyle,in my opinion.The typical 60 year old latina might be slimmer than her US counterpart,but she probably looks older,or to me looks less healthy.Generalization I know.In the upper classes they do good.In the lower classes they can look like death warmed over at 60.Nutrition.Lifestyle.Attention to apperance,so important to some young ones completely disapears amoung women even 45.
But even in the US this was the norm untill fairly recently.I have a picture of my grandmother on my mothers side,about 28 yearsold.Looks  50.
The more money a person has the better they age,in general.Lower class people go to  hell fast.
The girl I mentioned with swollen ankles has a mother about 52 that can't even walk.I think it was preventable with good nutrition and medical care.
I know this runs counter to the natural foods idea out there.Younger people are slimmer because of exercise.They walk alot.The food IS NOT better.

Pete

[Locii]

... in response to Re: Thanks Pete- Re:Malnutrition in Sout..., posted by Pete E on Dec 15, 2004

I think Pete is basically right; I would add the caveat that there is a difference between malnutrition and 'bad nutrition'.

I was in Miami over the w/e and I read this so I found a link and posted it here ("American lifestyle fattens immigrants"):

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/health/10418356.htm?1c

Becoming obese is simply a different kind of malnutrition, whatever the reasons. And yes, some people can eat very carefully still become obese; which can only come from some kind of metabolic imbalance.

Walking is a big deal, I think; it also appears that prepared foods and those foods preserved by chemical additives must play a role.  Honestly, I think vanity also plays a role.  

Also, while this is very subjective, I find the latins I meet (both genders) are more concerned with their appearance than most americans.

Ciao

PS: This little factoid included in the article stunned me:
"Fifty-one percent of Miami-Dade residents are foreign born. Immigrants make up 25 percent of Broward's population."