This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. We’re told that if we are overweight, it’s because we can’t control ourselves. Personal responsibility has been cited as a cause of obesity over and over again. If that were true one third of America should be considered irresponsible. Deborah Cohen debunks this myth and provides the real causes of the obesity epidemic and how we can stop them.

Dr. Cohen is a physician and Senior Scientist at the RAND Corporation and is the Principal Investigator of several studies on the intersection of the built environment and health. She is the author of the new book “A Big Fat Crisis—the Hidden Forces Behind the Obesity Epidemic—and How We Can End It” and the co-author of the book, “Prescription for a Healthy Nation—a new approach to improving our health by fixing our everyday world”. She is the lead researcher on several studies investigating ways to change the environment to reduce the burden of chronic diseases.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

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