The Role of the Toxic Food Environment in the Obesity Epidemic

Implausible explanations for the obesity epidemic and weight gain, such as sedentary lifestyles or lack of self-discipline, serve the needs of the manufacturers and marketers more than public’s health and the interest in truth.
New subscribers to our e-newsletter always receive a free gift. Get yours here: nutritionfacts...
This is it - the final video in this series. If you’ve missed any, here they all are:
• The Role of Diet vs. Exercise in the Obesity Epidemic (nutritionfacts....)
• The Role of Genes in the Obesity Epidemic (nutritionfacts...)
• The Thrifty Gene Theory: Survival of the Fattest (nutritionfacts....)
• Cut the Calorie-Rich-And-Processed Foods (nutritionfacts....)
• The Role of Processed Foods in the Obesity Epidemic (nutritionfacts....)
• The Role of Taxpayer Subsidies in the Obesity Epidemic (nutritionfacts....)
• The Role of Marketing in the Obesity Epidemic (nutritionfacts....)
• The Role of Food Advertisements in the Obesity Epidemic (nutritionfacts....)
• The Role of Personal Responsibility in the Obesity Epidemic (nutritionfacts....)
• The Role of Corporate Influence in the Obesity Epidemic (nutritionfacts....)
I actually have one more video on the role of epigenetics, but I want to get back to some other topics first before revisiting. Now that you have most of this background, though, what you we actually do for weight loss? My newest book, How Not to Diet (nutritionfacts..., is all about weight loss. Here’s the Trailer for How Not to Diet: Dr. Greger’s Guide to Weight Loss (nutritionfacts.....
Have a question about this video? Leave it in the comment section at nutritionfacts.... and someone on the NutritionFacts.org team will try to answer it.
Want to get a list of links to all the scientific sources used in this video? Click on Sources Cited at nutritionfacts.... You’ll also find a transcript and acknowledgements for the video, my blog and speaking tour schedule, and an easy way to search (by translated language even) through our videos spanning more than 2,000 health topics.
If you’d rather watch these videos on KZbin, subscribe to my KZbin Channel here: www.youtube.co...
Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM
Captions for this video are available in several languages; you can find yours in the video settings. View important information about our translated resources: nutritionfacts...
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[@lady_stog]

Protect this man at all costs

[@fullredplatinum]

To do that we would need to protect him from himself, he looks as if he's mummifing in front of us.

[@cizzfizz2754]

The plants are on it !

[@DragomirSangeorzan]

"It's about shareholder satisfaction" -- this is one of the core problems. Thank you for saying it.

[@DinarAndFriends]

The core problem is corrupt government. It's not the fault of company directors to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities to their shareholders.

[@zack7122]

urination

[@DragomirSangeorzan]

@@DinarAndFriends Well, they do to constantly try to influence politicians, officials, bureaucrats, courts, political parties, academic institutions... And there's always the revolving door situation.

[@DinarAndFriends]

@@DragomirSangeorzan That's their job. And it's the job of governments to not be corrupted.

[@DragomirSangeorzan]

Sorry, but I don't buy this right-wing libertarian utopia you're trying to sell.

[@marshmelows]

"Genes loads the gun but diet pulls the trigger." Well put!

[@eelkeaptroot1393]

No need to use a silencer if you're going to commit suicide...

[@Sandrae7560]

Since I've been eating more whole foods I find I've lost my appetite for all kinds of chips. I was never a soda drinker, but chips a whole different story. But am so much healthier now.

[@naps3386]

Nuts of all kinds are better than chips

[@Sandrae7560]

@@naps3386 Thanks Andy😊

[@suicune2001]

@@lightdark00 Not if they are peanuts.

[@suicune2001]

@@lightdark00 LOL! Fair enough. You could also go with getting some vegan butter.

[@willskate8128]

Same here too since I've been eating whole foods I find I've lost my appetite

[@Magnulus76]

Dr. Gregor's lecture on foods to eat to actually lose weight helped me lose more than ten pounds and I now have normal BMI (I'm still trying to get into better shape, so I took up walking and weight training). I was largely unfamiliar with the concept of caloric density before I found him on KZbin. I started eating more salad greens and fruit while counting calories and watching the portions I ate. I eventually started cutting back on meat and dairy, too. Many dieticians and nutritionists out there don't even talk about caloric density. Could it be due to the influence of the processed food industry? I think that's not unreasonable to conclude. There's no berry lobby or broccoli cartel dumping billions into political campaigns.

[@nevadaxtube]

As demonstrated by today's headlines, human life means very little when there is money to be made. So sad for America.

[@TheHjalmur]

"...hard-to-find food that's gross and expensive." That gave me a good chuckle.

[@jamesf5303]

lol me aswell

[@Pemulis1]

I posted to facebook. This video should be required watching at the doors to every grocery store.

[@davidhutchinson5233]

I have found that when I eat a good breakfast of oatmeal, blueberries, a banana, some cinnamon, flax and even a 3/4 cup of uncle sam cereal....that really sets me up for the day. I have a great lunch....then sometimes nothing for dinner or just something very light. A little pasta and greens, rice and beans or something like that. Best way I have found to try and be healthy when it comes to what I eat and don't eat anymore.

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

David Hutchinson you are smart! Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.

[@Sandrae7560]

@David Hutchinson... That's almost identical to my breakfast. Oats. Blueberries, Walnuts, 1tblspn ground Flaxseeds with Soymilk and sprinkled with Nutmeg. And I'm good until dinner.

[@kkooloo5781]

Yes just be careful of phytic acid from the oats

[@adams5507]

@@kkooloo5781 ok mom

[@ParadymShiftVegan]

That smooth plug at the end tho

[@elyukayee123]

Bonus points for recommending the library.

[@SNAFUPheonix]

@@elyukayee123 He puts his whole book on his website anyway, eventually. Plus some really, his videos have updated info.

[@AH-cy4md]

eLyUKayEe yes! He didn’t say “buy my book now!”, but “check it out for free from your local library “, which I did !(before the shutdown)...

[@LeoandLongevity]

Thank you for the awesome videos.

[@truefuschniken]

We love these videos and your beautiful work!!! Thank you!!!! 💖

[@chazchillings3019]

I have noticed that the more ads i see or tv i watch the more cravings I have for my old chicken-eating-ways. Beef and pork have no appeal anymore.

[@CPSPD]

watch dominion so you have something to counteract those cravings entirely

[@DinarAndFriends]

@@lightdark00 >> I watch chickens being processed and that makes me salivate It sounds as though you're a fairly typical sadist.

[@DinarAndFriends]

@@lightdark00 OK, I see. That's an unusual reaction!

[@DinarAndFriends]

@@lightdark00 >>when an extremist documentary There's nothing 'extremist' about reality, unfortunately.

[@natsunflower3805]

The fact that most restaurants are closed now, means that some people are finally turning to REAL food again. I hope there will be a How Not to Diet cookbook as I highly enjoyed the first one!

[@anusthing]

I am doing my PhD in public health with a focus on community nutrition, and this channel has been such a blessing.

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

As a five decades long whole foods plant based family it concerns me that there is a huge influx of unhealthy processed 'vegan' foods flooding the market. Reminds me of when SnackWell items became popular in the early 80's, which were touted as low fat, yet they were high in salt. Stats show that Americans, including vegans also eat to much, including unhealthy processed foods, move to little and do NOT read labels enough. And to lose weight one has to change unhealthy lifestyle choices. For us that means “eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper when it comes to serving sizes on a whole foods plant based non processed foods lifestyles.

[@norak5767]

I agree! Too many high fat So called healthy foods labeled as plant based that causes more confusion! Look at the companysvbehind some of these new products. Junk food manufacturers are trying to take advantage of the public who are trying to make healthier choices!

[@Incredible43]

Plant Based processed foods aren't healthy they are junk food just like any junk food but a good tool to help people transition into PB eating sadly some people live on PB junk food, no one can control that only educate #WFPB with occasional treats 💚

[@happycook6737]

Those factory made vegan foods light up my food addict brain triggering binges. When I cook my own vegan food I am binge free. This leads me to believe food manufacturers are purposefully engineering all factory made food to be irresistible.

[@dengelkemier]

Most superbugs are caused by animal agriculture! It might be a good time for companies and governments to think about what drives profit! If all your customers are scared to go out or locked down it can be hard on a lot of business.

[@LooseNut099]

Withering review of the food industrial complex. Thanks for that Dr. Greger. I’d give two thumbs up for almighty algorithm if that were possible.

[@AnHourOfWolves]

This made my day, thanks.

[@Aviluv]

I don't watch cable tv or allow my daughter to either. We are both vegan an healthy :). I no longer suffer from bad inflammation in my joints, migraines, gas pains, back pain etc.. And my baby girl has never gotten sick. Literally not even joking . She eats 80% raw vegan diet. I used to have a neighbor with a baby one month older than my daughter and they would always make comments like " my baby is huge compared to yours, my baby can eat your baby" "my baby eats eggs, chicken, chips and cookies she eats everything" I just said "oh my baby is raw vegan" left it at that. Unfortunately once they moved she came back to say her baby was in hospital and had kidney problems.. I prayed over them and hopefully she is better now. But yes diet is important. The more closer to our natural diet we eat the better. I can't stand even the sight of animal products.

[@ShudoukenTV]

Pro tip: If you don't have excess food at home, you can't suddenly want to eat it. My fridge is mostly empty at all times. When I visit my parents and see all this food lying around though, I will eventually eat it after walking by a couple of times.

[@Olivia-W]

Greetings years later from keto. I have _a lot_ of food at home, I'm just so anti hungry that I don't want to touch it.

[@Vrin137]

Great vid, always full of amazing info. Thank you Dr. Greger! :)

[@curtishenschen7311]

Thank you and your associates for another informative video. I enjoy seeing you make the presentation. You are a talented speaker and your enthusiasm is contagious.

[@chiyerano]

Will see about checking out the book in e-book format if available at the library especially since the local library in my area is closed right now due to COVID-19.

[@mancillado]

You can also get one month (one book) of audible free and the book is on there :) but remember to cancel!

[@oliviaoclock]

Fantastic video

[@yeseniachediak8381]

Great information!

[@rikenglebert7558]

While I agree with everything said here I would encourage acknowledgement of the Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs) studies. Although calories are a major culprit, of course, there are other reasons besides our biological drives that motivate massive intake. Bless you Dr. Gregor, we love your work!!!

[@vascoamaralgrilo]

Thanks for insight!

[@tonycollyweston6182]

It`s the SOCIETY people, - from birth to graduation, education both formal and informal does not equip the majority of children with the mental tools to synthesis information. The media landscape forms a large part of this informal education, is designed to produce consumers. And consumers, therefore` consume`.

[@JokerLurver]

I'm really enjoying listening to you in How Not to Diet. It's like How Not to Die 2.0 - it's awesome! Since WFPB is basically my religion, your books are my Old and New Testaments xD

[@ernestancrum7373]

Well said, and an additional 17 points on the scrabble board go to Dr. G for his use of "panopticons."

[@benoitalcide3979]

Perhaps the solution is to route vegan resources to invest in mass advertising about vegan food and habits.

[@alchemistdreams]

I would’ve assumed the food waste is more whole foods than processed food since the shelf life of processed food is crazy long.

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

Actually processed foods are often packaged in amounts that do not get eaten in total but get stuck in the refrigerator, forgotten and then dumped.

[@wellnessgirl2806]

The question could be more accurately phrased: 'If tobacco is addictive, why isn't everyone a cigarette smoker?' As I understand it, our propensity to addiction to a particular stimulus is genetic. Eg some, not all become alcoholics, many can drink moderately or not at all.

[@gcor8623]

Awesome video, new idea for new book . "Prevent and reverse obesity"

[@lilsyevasifuentes7628]

God bless him 🙏

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

don't forget all the prejudice and outright discrimination against people attempting to eat healthy. E.g., try going to a job interview that takes you to a meal and refusing food and see how far you get.

[@jimmyonebomb]

its almost as if the problem is rampant free market capialism

[@ashy969]

One important factor is left out: mental health. Stress, mood disorders, self image issues... all prompt us to eat all junk food we can find... Still food is the issue, but...

[@ferravenclaw8436]

Dr. Greger, could you talk about excessive sleepiness??

[@vitamin9024]

7:02 Sure: insurance agencies (though not exactly industry, but a big player nevertheless).

[@lorah3005]

👍

[@maxinepagnotti7014]

I love dr g! I wonder if he’s married 🤔

[@maxinepagnotti7014]

Mike Skylark aww darn!! Multiple times well excuse me .... haha 🤣

[@zack7122]

:)

[@NutritionFactsOrg]

Just divorced once! And not currently taken...

[@maxinepagnotti7014]

Well well well... never would think he was single!!

[@maxinepagnotti7014]

Mike Skylark I’m sure it was someone from his team. Nevertheless it made my day. What a time to be alive! I hope he finds love and happiness.

[@tallieallen397]

I think stress levels and sleeping habits should be factored in.

[@P_tterns]

Soon average cakes are gonna be the size of a large tv

[@eelkeaptroot1393]

The local library is closed due to covid... I don't need to diet anyway, I barely get enough calories trying to eat mostly whole plant foods.

[@odellbaldwin5701]

Eat a well-balanced diet, exercise and eat your snacks in moderation. Eat to Live, don't live to eat.# lifestyle

[@DinarAndFriends]

People who say "well balanced" usually eat vastly too many animal body parts and cow secretions. A healthy diet includes none of these.

[@odellbaldwin5701]

I guess I'm not one of those people you referring to, because I eat a plant based diet. And I thought not eating animal products went without saying,but I guess not

[@odellbaldwin5701]

When you're vegan or even plant-based you should still have a well-balanced diet

[@DinarAndFriends]

@@odellbaldwin5701 Absolutely.

[@DelaAnthonio]

The belief that corporations must maximize shareholder value has no legal basis. It is a choice of management style.

[@angus7278]

Carl Sagan and Floyd the Barber’s’ love child

[@IRosamelia]

Watching this video while eating a supermarket pizza 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕. I was supposed to go there just for oranges. 🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊

[@IRosamelia]

At least it's a veggie pizza! 🍄🍆🌶🥒🌽🥕🍄... and I'm pretty sure this isn't even real cheese 🧀

[@zack7122]

does it help me from urinating

[@artfrey]

"Dead people don't eat"!!

[@Vamavid]

3:56 I stopped listening to watch the bomb go off!

[@craigdixon2062]

I just wish he would quit saying that these foods are delicious. Healthy, yes. But delicious, no!

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

Life hack: life is more than just food. You don't stop eating, you start living.

[@user-fk8rb8ue5h]

Land of the free eh. While ever you can eat delicious high-calorie food people will do, end of story.

[@carfusz]

Don't buy food that's on sale.

[@Olivia-W]

Fructose, seed oils, grains. In everything. And count yourself lucky if you become obese, because TOFI might be worse.

[@zack7122]

king

[@viklondon3466]

Guy has the most annoying cadence.

[@blengravers]

Gee folks, this is not hard to figure out. Look for nutritional value. Don't feel bad if you have a donut once in a while :)

[@DinarAndFriends]

There is no "toxic food environment". The shops and farmers' markets are full of fresh food. Nobody forces you to watch television or to stuff your face with animal body parts and other junk food.

[@broddr]

Dinar AndFriends -- maybe where you live shops are full of healthy food. But in many US cities there are large areas where only fast food and junk food are sold. They have been named "food deserts" -- Google it.

[@DinarAndFriends]

@@broddr This is a tiny part of the problem. It's only relevant to a few tiny areas in one country of the world.

[@DinarAndFriends]

@@mark_huisjes I haven't ever seen a single store in my entire life that didn't sell junk. You should travel much more, as I have. Every city in the world has fruit and vegetable shops.

[@DinarAndFriends]

@@mark_huisjes >>Or actually to get to an understanding of what healthy food even is. The overwhelming majority of people are ignorant about diet. But you can't blame the stores for selling what people want to buy.

[@broddr]

Dinar AndFriends -- in just my US state of Georgia there are 2 million people who live in a food desert. That's not "a tiny" problem. And food deserts are just the most extreme case. In most of the industrialized nations junk calories in fast food and highly processed snacks are much more common than healthy food. Even in supermarkets that have large aisles of fresh vegetables, more than three times as much space is allocated to calorie-dense processed food.

[@goldwolf0606]

Go back to the old way you did the videos... I stopped watching since you changed format.

[@deconcoder]

TO me the whole series went off the rails in this one. 'It's normal to be fat' 'Then why isn't everyone fat?' 'Genetics.' No. This is a concept of causality that's every bit as simplistically reductionist as the antithesis (the lazy person explanation). Sorry...

[@broddr]

Rob Williams -- that's not the message. Correctly stated, it's that it's normal for all humans to store excess calories as fat. Some people are just genetically a lot more efficient at storing almost every excess calorie. And our current food environment ensures that excess calories are always available. All of us in industrialized societies are at risk of obesity, but some are a higher risk than others. Same as for just about any disease.