Plain English with Derek Thompson Why Are Americans So Unhealthy? Part I: Is Ultra-Processed Food Killing Us?
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Jun 11, 2025 
Kevin Klatt, a research scientist at UC Berkeley and nutritionist, dives into America's alarming health crisis. He discusses how the prevalence of ultra-processed foods correlates with rising chronic illnesses and shorter lifespans compared to other wealthy nations. Klatt shares insights from his personal journey with diet and metabolism, highlighting the complexities of nutritional science. The conversation unpacks misconceptions about dietary habits and addresses the impact of environmental factors on our eating behaviors, all while framing the urgent need for better food choices.
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Why Americans Die Younger
- Americans die younger due to gun violence, drug overdoses, car accidents, and chronic diseases.
- Contributing factors include poor diet, lower physical activity, and exposure to environmental toxins.
Discovering Diet Through Weight Loss
- Kevin Klatt's interest in diet science began after losing 85 pounds in high school.
- He became fascinated by how diet can chemically influence gene expression through mechanisms like epigenetics.
Obesity is Chronic Caloric Surplus
- Obesity in America results from a chronic positive energy balance: consuming more calories than expended.
- Multiple small changes together in diet and physical activity over decades have driven this shift.