Article: The Conspiracy to Keep You Fat

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-cohen-obesity-20140106-story.html

Video: The Killer American Diet That’s Sweeping the Planet

Video: Why Dieting Doesn’t Usually Work

In the article, the author provides an interesting perspective on how our eating choices (i.e., behaviors) can be subconsciously manipulated to cause us to make unhealthy dietary selections and to overeat.  The author discusses how the government could play a more influential role in reducing the obesity epidemic in the United States.  The presenter in the first video also implies that the food companies can play an influential role in reducing the obesity epidemic.  What are your thought on the author’s and presenter’s points of view?  Do you think the government could (or should) play a more influential role in lowering the nation’s increasing obesity rate?  Discuss your answer.  The presenter in the second video provides an interesting and thought provoking perspective on how our brain controls our “normal” weight range (i.e., set point theory) and how it can counteract our weight loss efforts.  What are your thoughts regarding this presenter’s presentation?  During your diets, have you experienced any of the things she discussed?

You should contribute one (1) comment (at least 300 words) to this week’s discussion. In your post, you should provide a detailed explanation to support your views (include references, if needed).  You may use the questions I asked above or discuss another aspect of the article and video that caught your attention.  Please DO NOT copy any of your classmate’s comments or plagiarize (you will not receive credit for doing this).