Jess Fanzo on the Rise in Obesity

What is driving rising obesity around the world?

I think one of the big drivers are diets, what people are eating. These sub-optimal diets, diets that are high in salt, sugar, unhealthy fats, and processed packaged foods. And diets that are too low in fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and healthy animal source foods. So, diets now have become the major risk factor in the world and a significant contributor to obesity.

What can we do about it?

One place to tackle would be food environments, the place where citizens, consumers, go and make choices about their food: a market, a restaurant. There are lots of things we can change within those food environments. Prices of healthy foods, ensuring that people get access to those kinds of markets, eliminating food deserts.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is steamed clams. Strange, I know, but they're my favorite. Especially when they're dipped in hot butter.