Cafe Sci: Horizon - "Why Are We Getting So Fat?"

We have been unable to find a speaker who was available for this evening.  So in addition to the occasional TED.com discussion evenings, I decided to also look into whether a subject can be covered using one of the excellent science documentaries from the BBC.  

Therefore tonight we are experimenting with a new and improved style of Cafe Sci evening watching and discussing a BBC science documentary. I have contacted the BBC about this and they have informed me we can use their Science documentaries on BBC iPlayer as part of Cafe Sci.  

So why not come along and find out what the future might hold for solutions to the obesity crisis gripping the developed world. Tonight's BBC documentary will be the recent BBC Horizonprogramme "Why are we getting so fat?" as the basis of the post programme discussion.  I hope to also have some additional material to show from a recent New Scientist magazine article on the subject of whether the official dietary advice is fuelling the epidemic and making us sick.

About this BBC Documentary:

Over 62 per cent of adults in the UK are currently overweight or obese and this figure is set to rise. A common attitude is that obese people should be ashamed - it is their fault, they have no will power and if they could just 'eat less and exercise more', the problem would soon be solved. Yet, despite millions of pounds being spent on this simple message, the UK is getting fatter every year.

Cambridge geneticist Dr Giles Yeo believes that for many obese people, simply eating less is a lot harder than you might think - and he is taking a road trip around the UK and America to uncover why. He meets the real people behind some of the more shocking newspaper headlines and, through their stories, reveals surprising truths which dispel commonly held myths about obesity. He gains access to scientists and doctors trialing cutting-edge techniques to tackle the crisis - from a 'miracle' hormone injection to a transfusion of faecal matter, and even learns a thing or two about his own size and relationship with food.

VENUE AND FORMAT

The Tea Bar will be open for at least half an hour before the documentary which starts at 7.30pm, so you can get yourself a drink and have a chat with other participants. The documentary lasts for 1 hour so discussion of the programme will commence at 8.30pm and will aim to finish around 9.00pm.  Please feel free to order drinks and food from the bar during the show.  Everyone will be welcome to stay around until 10pm to have a chat with about the programme afterwards ... and indulge in more of the Tea Bar's offerings.

Entry is free and open to everyone, but we do encourage you to buy a tea, coffee  and cakes to show your support for the The Tea Bar who sponsor the meeting by providing the venue.

Cafe Scientifique is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore and debate the latest ideas in science and technology.

Host: Bob Clifford, Organiser for Basingstoke Cafe Scientifique