Discussion 4


 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?