I&#x27;ve long disliked the amount and kind of attention the mainstream media devotes to covering research in nutritional science. Not only does it confuse people, even those with scientific training, its vacillation also undermines the public&#x27;s confidence that science is a valid approach to understanding the world.<p>Still, I&#x27;m not convinced that public confusion on the subject of nutrition is a leading cause of widespread obesity. An environmental or social explanation seems more probable than simple ignorance. After all, obesity is less of a problem in many less educated societies, despite an abundance of food.