Why is it so difficult for people to accept that nutrition education
isn’t a panacea for obesity? A recent article in the Baltimore Sun reported that a review of scientific studies of 57 nutrition education
programs funded by the federal government showed that they don’t work.
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Just telling people what they
should eat and then expecting major dietary and behavioral changes
(enough to reduce obesity rates or prevent further weight) is simply
unrealistic. The diet book industry thrives because this approach
doesn’t work for most people and so people keep buying the latest diet
book thinking it will be the ‘one.'
by Victoria Brescoll
Why is it so difficult for people to accept that nutrition education isn’t a panacea for obesity? A recent article in the Baltimore Sun reported that a review of scientific studies of 57 nutrition education programs funded by the federal government showed that they don’t work. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Just telling people what they should eat and then expecting major dietary and behavioral changes (enough to reduce obesity rates or prevent further weight) is simply unrealistic. The diet book industry thrives because this approach doesn’t work for most people and so people keep buying the latest diet book thinking it will be the ‘one.'