Barry Popkin: Why the World Is Fat

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As someone who was 100 lbs overweight and who has lost 65 lbs in 10 months, I can say that it took a hernia to motivate me, a medical doctor's diet to get me going and now exercise almost daily to keep me losing. But atttitude is the constant factor; we ALL know (deep down) what is healthy and when we over-consumer, so it's about CHOICE. It's too easy to blame others. I ate poorly when I was bored, stressed, sad, happy, celebrating, etc. I KNEW what I was doing. Guidelines, labels and clothing sizes meant nothing to me.

FLNonny of FL 6:36AM January 12, 2009

ITs TOTAL CALORIES, i don't care where they come from-- sugar, fat, protein whatever. what we are is a bunch of lazies, thats our problem, we sit and watch tv with a remote control. We don't walk anywhere and we eat like we've just run a marathon. It's calories in vs. calories out. We can get excess calories from protein/fats/ sugars. We need to look at what we eat, need to look at portion sizes and we need to get off our duff

Gail of IL 5:08PM January 11, 2009

Growing up I was taught that brushing ones teeth was an important part of good healthy teeth,and it was to be done after every meal.It may be a factor that cleaning the palette after eating decreases the desire to snack soon after eating, therefore reducing the buildup of plaque in the teeth and calories in the body.

nancy muzzi of MS 1:36PM January 11, 2009

He should have disclosed this if he didn't.
U.S. News should have disclosed it if he did.

Katherine Hobson: Thanks for noting this. I didn't ask, and I should have. Note that it is not clear from his CV whether he was compensated for this; I will email him and ask him. Stay tuned!

Marc Onigman of MA 7:21PM January 10, 2009

Thanks for your article Katherine.
I agree with Roger. Sugars especially high fructose corn syrup are the root of all dietary evil. I have really learned a lot from Dysfunctional Foods and The Sugar Addicts Recovery Program. Personal responsibility is key and people must regulate what they eat. It's hard to do a good job if the producers are hiding and misrepresenting what is put in food and in cooking.
I try very hard to stay active to the point of riding/competing in mountain bike racing. In addition, I see what diet and habits do to my patients at my dental practice.
Good nutrition should be mainstream and not fast food. I promote the revolution that the world depends upon our recovery.

Ken the Dentist of GA 8:57PM January 09, 2009

Fats are essential for many metabolic functions. Avoiding them can be detrimental. It is much better to get enough fats (especially the omega-3's) and seriously limit the sugars. It's the fructose that gets stored as fat when there's sufficient glucose in the body. Skip the sugars altogether, limit the carbohydrates (especially those that have been refined to get rid of the fiber), get plenty of protein, sufficient fiber (vegetables and some whole grains) and body weight will not be a big issue. Get the right fats and mental function will probably improve, also. At least, that's been my experience, and I've had guidance from a doctor with these recommendations.

Roger of CA 7:49PM January 09, 2009