Food Quote by Tim Noakes
““Harcombe explained in detail why CICO is an inadequate model, not least because it contradicts one of the laws of thermodynamics. Tongue-in-cheek, she quoted US science writer Gary Taubes: ‘We woke up somewhere around this point and decided to become greedy and lazy. We had managed to stay slim for three and a half million years, but suddenly 30 per cent of us became obese and almost 70 per cent of us overweight or obese.’ The reality, Harcombe said, is that since the guidelines were introduced, obesity has more than doubled and diabetes has increased sevenfold in the US. In the UK, obesity has increased almost tenfold, and diabetes four- to fivefold. Referring to South Africa’s sky-rocketing obesity rates in the wake of the official dietary guidelines, Harcombe wrote at the end of her thesis that this ‘at least deserves examination’.””
About This Quote
The quote critiques the calorie‑in‑out (CICO) model, arguing it conflicts with thermodynamic principles and fails to explain rising obesity and diabetes despite stable energy balance assumptions.
In simple terms: CICO is scientifically inadequate.
Key Takeaway
Obesity surge challenges simplistic energy models.
Themes
nutrition science
energy balance
public health
obesity epidemic
thermodynamics
Mood
critical
skeptical
concerned
Type
analytical
explanatory
cautionary
When to use this quote
- policy debates on nutrition guidelines
- public health campaigns
- academic critiques of diet models
- media discussions on obesity trends
Key Concepts
calorie counting
dietary guidelines
epidemiology
metabolic theory
Practical Applications
- reassessing dietary recommendations
- informing evidence‑based health policy
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence undermines the CICO model?
- How should guidelines reflect complex metabolic factors?
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