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Sugar Versus Fat: The Real Culprit Behind Obesity

One of the most discussed topics in nutrition is the impact of increased consumption of SUGAR versus FAT on the global increase in obesity. Currently, there are two main (and often implacable) camps of supporters of low-carb and low-fat diets. Which of these two factors do you think is the major culprit in the obesity epidemic, SUGARS or FATS.


They are neither SUGARS nor FATS per se, but CALORIES! I.e., it is the increased intake of all macronutrients in the diet resulting in excessive caloric intake. This, together with decreasing energy expenditure (lack of exercise), leads to an ever-increasing gap between the caloric intake and expenditure and hence a legitimate increase in obesity. I would therefore like to re-emphasise that there really is no single culprit for the cause of obesity; it is not sugars, grains, gluten or saturated fats as claimed by the proponents of various dietary practices. You can see in our infographic that, for example, the prevalence of obesity has been steadily increasing in the US, even though sugar consumption has been declining since about 2000.


obesity graph
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, CDC NHANES surveys. Prepared by Stephan J. Guyenet

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