Eat Less! The Upside of Downsizing

Americans are eating more and getting fatter, like many in the rest of the developed world (an estimated 1.5 billion people on the planet are overweight). Eat Less looks at several reasons why this is happening, including—at least in the U.S.—bigger portions at restaurants and fast-food outlets; the supersizing of everything from drive-thru meals to bagels and pizza; the increasing consumption of fat, sugar, and high-fructose corn syrup; more couch (TV-watching) time; less exercise; and ignorance of the essentials of good nutrition. Eat Less! attempts to educate viewers about these important issues at a basic level, combining graphics and animation with suggestions for healthier eating and living, such as serving food on smaller plates and reading nutrition labels. The program also includes a discussion of the USDA's new MyPlate guidelines for daily eating. Although much of the information here will be obvious to anyone with a general understanding of nutrition, this straightforward primer is recommended for those without similar fare. [Note: also newly available is Eat Smart!: MyPlate & 2010 Dietary Guidelines.] Aud: I, J, H, P. (F. Gardner)