Photo: Media Bakery

One of the collateral damage victims of the recent economic downturn has been healthy eating, according research from a number of organizations compiled recently by the Wall Street Journal.

For example, sales of salty snacks, cookies and candy are all posting significant sales increases, according to Mintel. Meanwhile, NPD Group has found a significant uptick in the use of microwaves to prepare meals at home, a sure sign that consumers are cooking less from scratch and more from the frozen foods section of the grocery store. Technomic notes greater reluctance on the part of consumers to shell out for pricey fresh produce and organics.

The bottom line: thicker waistlines, harder arteries and more health problems. Obesity ticked up another percentage point over the past year and now sits at 26.4% according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

Apparently, it's pretty hard to get people to eat their veggies when they are anxious about where their next meal is coming from…