11th May 2014 - The Guardian - Sugar is the real enemy, not fat itself, says film targeting obesity

First came 'An Inconvient Truth'. Then 'Fast Food Nation'. Then 'Blackfish'. Each showed the power of critically acclaimed, successful documentaries to alter perceptions about controversial issues ranging from global warming to mistreatment of animals in captivity and the behaviour of food industry giants.

Now comes 'Fed Up', a film that looks at the global problem of surging human obesity rates and obesity-related diseases.

The film, produced by Laurie David, former wife of Seinfeld creator Larry David, and narrated by TV journalist Katie Couric, seeks to challenge decades of misconception and food industry-sponsored misinformation about diet and exercise, good and bad calories, fat genes and lifestyle.

When it comes to obesity, fat may not be our friend but it's not the enemy that sugar is, says the film's scientific consultant Robert Lustig, a neuroendocrinologist, author and president of the Institute for Responsible Nutrition. It is a view that is gathering support from doctors.