Name: Why Are We Fatter Now Than in the 70s? | Dr. Jason Fung
Uploaded: 2026-01-16T16:59:42.000Z
Description: We’ve been told that counting calories is the key to weight loss. However, hormones may play a more pivotal role.

Brendon Fallon is the host and executive producer of NTD's "Vital Signs," a health show that zooms in on the important matters of health that come up in everyday life—connecting the dots across the broad canvas of our holistic wellbeing.


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We’ve been told that counting calories is the key to weight loss. However, hormones may play a more pivotal role.

Watch our exclusive episode, only on <a href="https://www.ntd.com/vital-signs" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">NTD</a>.

“The body doesn’t actually respond to calories. The body only responds to hormones. … So hormones are what tells your body what to do,” says nephrologist (kidney health specialist) Dr. Jason Fung.

On “Vital Signs” with Brendon Fallon, Dr. Fung explains that the hormone insulin is released when you eat, telling the body to store fat. When you don’t eat, insulin levels decrease, signaling your body to burn calories.

“If you are obese, well, what told your body to store all that fat? It was insulin. You have too much of it,” Dr. Fung says.

Frequently snacking on highly processed food spikes insulin and leads to weight gain.

Fung notes that before snacking became a staple in American culture, obesity rates were much lower.

“If you are eating constantly, well, basically you’re constantly telling your body ‘store body fat, store body fat,’” he says.

Fung says insulin is not the only hormone at play. He said some foods trigger the same hormones as popular weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, which signal the body to stop eating.

“So GLP-1 is a satiety hormone that certain foods will stimulate and certain foods won’t,” he said.

Which foods should we eat to satisfy our hunger? How should we handle our food cravings to lose weight?

Dr. Fung laments the effect of eating trends on children.

“Everything must be available to eat. You must always be able to eat,” he says ironically. “Otherwise it’s practically child abuse.

“As they get older … we say, ‘Why are you so fat?’

“Maybe it’s because you told them that people should be always eating all the time to be healthy.”

Dr. Fung is a best-selling author of “The Diabetes Code.” On “Vital Signs,” he reveals the hormonal factors behind the obesity epidemic and successful weight loss strategies such as intermittent fasting and low-carb dieting.

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Related studies/reports:

What predicts drug-free Type 2 diabetes remission? Insights from an eight-year general practice service evaluation of a lower carbohydrate diet with weight loss
<a href="https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2023/01/02/bmjnph-2022-000544" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2023/01/02/bmjnph-2022-000544</a>

Causes of Type 2 diabetes in China
<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(14)70145-7/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(14)70145-7/fulltext</a>

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Vital Signs’ host, guests, and contributors offer general information on improving health and wellness. This is not intended as diagnosis or medical advice. You should consult your medical doctor or holistic doctor before enacting any suggested strategies for health and wellness improvement, including those in relation to preventing or treating specific diseases featured on this program.

Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views of NTD.

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