Movie Review: Killer at Large
Fast food = the next cigarettes?
Doctor Recommended: Covers the complicated issue of obesity in America
"The documentary takes a broad look at many causes of overweight including our toxic food environment, the problems with school lunches and vending machines and the impact food lobbyists have on determining government policies. It also includes stories about young people who have had gastric bypass surgery or liposuction. Plus, there are interviews with dozens of people who have tried to bring attention to the obesity problem including former president Bill Clinton, Kelly Brownell of Yale University and consumer advocate Margo Wootan of the Center for Science in the Public Interest." --USA Today, Nov. 19, 2008
With close to 2 out of 3 American adults currently overweight, and about 1 out of 3 considered obese, there is clearly a problem - a problem that continues to grow each year. It's not just a problem of eating too much fat. Killer at Large does a good job of exploring a variety of factors that have created the perfect environment to promote obesity:
"The documentary takes a broad look at many causes of overweight including our toxic food environment, the problems with school lunches and vending machines and the impact food lobbyists have on determining government policies. It also includes stories about young people who have had gastric bypass surgery or liposuction. Plus, there are interviews with dozens of people who have tried to bring attention to the obesity problem including former president Bill Clinton, Kelly Brownell of Yale University and consumer advocate Margo Wootan of the Center for Science in the Public Interest." --USA Today, Nov. 19, 2008
With close to 2 out of 3 American adults currently overweight, and about 1 out of 3 considered obese, there is clearly a problem - a problem that continues to grow each year. It's not just a problem of eating too much fat. Killer at Large does a good job of exploring a variety of factors that have created the perfect environment to promote obesity:
- Loads of convenient junk food available everywhere
- Government subsidies making junk food cheaper than fruit & vegetables
- Commercials marketed directly to children
- Our natural desire for sugar & fat
- Government/corporate promotion of all foods "in moderation"
- Failed educational programs like the food pyramid
- Unhealthy school environment: bad lunches, little exercise, junk-filled vending machines
If it was just a matter of eating less fat, America's decades long low-fat diet should have worked by now. The problem goes far beyond fat intake. This movie takes a good look at the problem, but also offers some solutions. Check it out.
