Why Are So Many Of Us Fat? Researchers Focus On Additives

10:01

August 16, 2011

Polydextrose and polysorbate. Lactitol and sorbitol.

Sound like a yummy scoop of neapolitan ice cream? There's definitely some milk and egg yolk involved, but the majority of ingredients in the summer treat probably mean nothing to the average consumer.

But could those very ingredients be the ones making Americans fat?

The Obesity Research Center at Boston Medical Center is studying just that — whether the American obesity epidemic goes beyond eating too much and exercising too little. Is there something in our food that is exacerbating the problem?

We take a closer look.

Guests:

Carey Goldberg, co-host, WBUR's CommonHealth
Dr. Sarah Haigh Molina, director, Boston University High Throughput Screening Core

More:

CommonHealth: What's Making Us Fat?

This segment aired on August 16, 2011.