Industry can't stop obesity

Since the newspapers have been bursting with stories about MPs' avaricious expense claims, I thought I would talk about greed this month. Are we surprised that MPs are using their allowances to the very max? Aren't humans just genetically programmed to be greedy?

Let's face it. Obesity continues to be one of the major factors shaping the food industry. Can we stop people over-eating by changing the nutritional profile of foods or creating smaller portion sizes? Maybe it's a lost cause. Studies have shown that people generally eat more when presented with a help-yourself buffet instead of a plated meal. People also have 24-hour access to ready prepared and fast foods.

Food companies are revisiting long-standing product formulations to improve their nutritional profile and, increasingly, have a strict nutrition policy for all new product development activity. At Leatherhead, we have an extensive research programme on satiety and satiation. We evaluate food ingredients designed to keep people 'fuller for longer' using human intervention studies. Some of these ingredients do work. They can make people eat less. But sadly this doesn't necessarily translate to weight loss. I was talking to Professor John Blundell (Leeds University) recently about satiety. He's an expert on the psychology of eating. He said the fact is people eat for all sorts of reasons, not just because they are hungry.

The Food Standards Agency is trying to combat it by following a reductionist policy - less fat, less salt, less sugar. I wonder what will be left if this is taken to its logical conclusion. A dietary fibre bar pumped full of delicious air and water? The obesity problem can only be solved by tackling the human mindset. Perhaps government should recognise that the national obesity crisis is not solely down to the food industry. Greedy people eat too much!

''Dr Paul Berryman chief executive officer Leatherhead Food International www.leatherheadfood.com''