From the department of the bleeding obvious comes news that eating too much makes you fat, according to this gem of a report. However, the shocking conclusion is that “Americans are being manipulated by the food industry into eating far more than they need, or even want to.”

You know what’s next, of course. A 550-pound man will sue McDonalds for being asked by employees over a period of 15 years if he wanted to supersize his meals, when they should have known supersizing was dangerous to his health. Expect McDonalds to deny that their products kill, however: “The food and restaurant industries have started to strike back at such campaigns, saying it is a lack of exercise and not eating more that is to blame.”

I personally plan to sue my local movie theater for offering a bucket of popcorn for only 50c more than the $4 dixie-cup size. I thought it was a bargain, but now I realize “People think they are getting bargains but they are just getting calories”. Yep, value marketing is manipulation, and I look forward to having my day in court.

And Starbucks is not going to be let off lightly either. For years, they’ve been asking me if I wanted something to eat with that coffee. And I daresay that on occasion, I’ve succumbed to the serpent-headed lure of a pretty barista and asked for that chocolate croissant just to impress her.

But even if I haven’t ordered the supersized portions at restaurants, merely sitting near friends who do can have devastating consequences; inevitably, fries get stolen, food gets shared around, and deserts are ordered collectively. Passive eating may well be the next great public health epidemic.

[Tue, Jun 18 2002 – 17:08] Matthew (email) actually, it’s happening already. see last week’s wsj story by branch on the front of marketplace. (can’t link it i’m afraid).

[Wed, Jun 19 2002 – 08:32] Stefan Geens (www) (email) Matthew, Matthew, you work there, surely you must know about the backdoors into your website:

Food Makers Get Defensive About Gains in U.S. Obesity

[Wed, Jun 19 2002 – 08:34] Stefan Geens (www) (email) Oops, I meant to paste this link for that article.

[Wed, Jun 19 2002 – 18:05] Felix (www) (email) Well, I’m not a subscriber, so neither of those links works for me.