Why Is It So Hard To Lose Weight

• Length: 1:45 minutes (1.6 MB)
• Format: MP3 Mono 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

May 31, 2010
 
 Interview with Howard Eisenson, M.D., co-author of the book The Duke Diet: The World-Renowned Program for Healthy and Lasting Weight Loss
 
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Mike Carruthers:
As you likely know, losing weight and staying fit can be a difficult challenge.

 
Howard Eisenson M.D. :
Most people have a biological susceptibility to becoming overweight if they are in a weight-promoting environment - and that's the environment we live in today. Food is everywhere, it's inexpensive, it's not just available but it's promoted.
 

Howard Eisenson M.D.

 
Dr. Howard Eisenson, Program Director of the Duke University Diet & Fitness Center and co-author of the book The Duke Diet
 
People do what comes naturally. People don't tend to exert themselves when they don't have to. People don't tend to forgo tasty treats when they're there in front of them. And it seems to be human nature to respond to the short-term reward. If I eat this cupcake now I'll feel good right now - so, there's a number of reasons behaviorally, biologically that we have this problem.

 
A big part of the problem, says Dr. Eisenson, is how over-size meals are considered normal.

 
Restaurant servings tend to be much larger than is consistent with good health. I was recently traveling in Europe and I was struck that I didn't see that. You stop at a sandwich shop and you have a modestly-sized sandwich and there was no option for super-sizing it - it wasn't automatic that french fries that came with the sandwich. What people seem to buy most often with the sandwich was a bottle of water. And I think that phenomenon is troublesome - the fact that we snack so often. The fact that everywhere you go, convenience stores, gas stations, whatever - food is near the cash register. It's almost encouraging us to consume constantly.