Nutritionist Marion Nestle breaks down "the Obesity Wars"

March 06, 2012

Members of the campus community are encouraged to expand their knowledge of the scientific and socioeconomic influences on food choice, obesity and food safety.

These topics will be examined by prominent nutritionist Marion Nestle in her lecture "Obesity Wars: The Food Industry vs. Public Health," on Monday, March 12, at UW-Whitewater.

The presentation will emphasize the roles marketing and politics play in the industry, which aren't apparent on a food's nutrition label.

Nestle is a professor of sociology in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at New York University. She is also the award-winning author of "What to Eat, Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition" and "Health and Safe Food: The Politics of Food Safety."

"Dr. Nestle's background is in a number of areas that are of interest to faculty and students. The issues she speaks about cross many disciplines and cover many important public health and public policy areas," said Susan Johnson, associate professor and chair of the Department of Political Science.

Nestle has also been a member of the Food and Drug Administration Food Advisory Committee and American Cancer Society committees that issue dietary guidelines for cancer prevention. She has a Ph.D. in molecular biology and a master's degree in public health nutrition from the University of California, Berkeley.

Nestle's lecture is 7 p.m. Monday, March 12, in Young Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.