The world’s tallest populace is shrinking, and scientists want to know why

(Edith) #1

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/09/19/netherlands-average-height-shrinking-tallest/

“Scientists have offered a number of explanations — including the possible economic ramifications of the 2007 financial crisis, the increased consumption of unhealthy food, or even a shift from meat to plant-based diets, while noting that such theories are speculative at this stage.”

How much do you want to bet it’s from unhealthy food and the shift from meat to plant/based diets? (Isn’t that what happened when we moved from hunter/gatherers to farmers? ) And if they find that to be true, would the truth be allowed to be told?

Not usually a conspiracy theorist, but dietary science has moved me in that direction.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #2

Good questions. Unfortunately, we know the answers. :frowning_face:

On the good news side, however, when such businesses as Crédit Suisse and Swiss Re have latched on to diet as the problem and keto as the solution, the human race might just stand a chance.

(Edith) #3

What kind of businesses are they? Life insurance?

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #5

They both sell insurance. Crédit Suisse does other banking, as well; Swiss Re insures insurers (the “Re” stands for “reinsurance”). Both of them are gravely concerned with the decline in life expectancy, which has a deleterious effect on the profitability of life insurance policies, and which both companies blame on the governmental dietary guidelines.

Crédit Suisse has even begun to advocate for a sugar tax, which Dr. Robert Lustig says is a sign of how seriously they view the situation, because bankers hate taxes. (Even Dr. Lustig, the anti-sugar crusader, doesn’t think a sugar tax is a good idea, because it would set a bad precedent. There are already efforts to get a meat tax put in place, to discourage meat consumption and promote veganism.)

(Bob M) #6

They came out with a “famous” paper:

https://research-doc.credit-suisse.com/docView?language=ENG&source=ulg&format=PDF&document_id=1053247551&serialid=MFT6JQWS%2B4FvvuMDBUQ7v9g4cGa84%2Fgpv8mURvaRWdQ%3D

I read the whole thing when it came out. These bankers figured out what the nutritional world can’t, couldn’t, or wouldn’t.

I have a few minor quibbles with it, but it’s otherwise 100% correct.

(BuckRimfire) #7

A lot, yes, and no

That’s the way to bet!

#8

It’s mindblowing that they drew this conclusion, whilst the rest of the world is taking the opposite path.