kraus550: April 2012 Archives

I am sure that all of us are aware of the Flynn effect seeing as we all learned about it in chapter 9. The Flynn effect is finding that average IQ scores have been rising at a rate of approximately three points per decade and that on average our IQ's are 10-15 points higher than those of our grandparents. This is pretty amazing huh? Psychologists have proposed some explanations...1) Increased test sophistication (better at taking tests) 2) Increased complexity of the modern world (technology) 3) Better nutrition (not suffering from malnutrition) 4) Changes at home and school (parents having less children hence devoting more time to the ones they have). These explanations seem pretty reasonable accept there is one problem, recent data suggests that the Flynn effect may be reversing or decreasing.

Why would the Flynn effect be decreasing? Well, I agree with three of the four explanations. Explanations 1,2,4 seem reasonable but I'm not sure I agree with explanation 3. Better nutrition you say? Last time I checked Americans were not healthy eaters at all. Americans today consume way to much sugar in their diet, not enough water, and not enough exercise (the majority). I can see how poor nutrition can cause a reverse Flynn effect. Poor nutrition with little exercise is not what the brain needs to perform at a maximum level. For the brain to grow in different areas it needs nutrients to feed off of. What we put into our body is what we get out of out body. Children sitting all day video gaming rather than playing with other children could also be the culprit. What other factors could contribute to the Flynn effect decreasing? Thoughts?

Some crazy statistic like 2/3 of America's the population is obese, and that is considering children as well as adults. The lottery question is, what is the cure for obesity? It turns out that water, the reason for life can in fact increase weight loss and decrease the amount of food consumed if it is drank before the meal. Below is a great article explaining how water can do such a thing in older dieters.

Water is essential to life, and many Americans suffer from mild to chronic dehydration. The more recent conversion to sugar substituting beverages is not the road to take if trying to diet. Those extra calorie drinks on average can account for up to 10% of calories consumed in a given day. Not to mention they give rise to cavities in teeth. Water regulates metabolism and is a lubricant that helps keep fluid around joints keeping bones strong. The article below even explains that water can decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45% and bladder cancer by 50% as well as other diseases . We have to look no further than eight glasses of water to cut a few extra lbs.
Do you think that if people can substantially decrease their caloric intake by switching from sugary drinks like juices and soda to healthy alternatives like water or tea? Water is overlooked in many ways because it is boring and has no flavor, but given the benefits I listed why do people choice the unhealthy choice in beverage rather than the healthy choice? Thoughts?