Understanding Poor Food Decisions with Jack A. Bobo

Jack Bobo is the Director of Food Systems Institute of University of Nottingham, having joined in 2023. Bobo's career includes spells at The Nature Conservancy, one of the world's largest conservation organisations, additionally working for companies such as Futurity and Intrexon, as well as spending time as a Senior Advisor for Global Food Policy at the US Department of State.

His fascinating book ‘Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices: The Invisible Influences that Guide Our Thinking,’ looks at the ways our minds and environment conspire to undermine our nutritional health. There is an interesting review of the deeper causes of the hidden influences and mental shortcuts our minds used to process information and how they often result in unhealthy food choices.

The book also addresses the conundrum that even though we live in a world that has easy access to more nutritional facts, information and a myriad of diet plans, many people still eat a poor diet that is causing serious health problems including overweight and obesity for millions of people. Bobo challenges prevailing misconceptions and approaches the health challenges from a psychological perspective.

This book is an intriguing read and gives great insight for those of us trying to understand the behavioural science and drivers behind our food choices and eating habits. It looks at the history of shifting portion sizes, and why ‘natural’ does not always mean better. The book also investigates the plans for communities that help shift mindset and physical health. It takes a behaviouralist view of the choices we make as we fill our shopping trolleys in retail outlets around the world. This book covers the ingredients that can make it possible for a community to stay healthy and build resilience. And how do we get to a place where our habits and our food environment do the work of making us healthier.

While the book is primarily focussed on the American market and was published in 2013 it feels very contemporary and relevant to the current global challenges. Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices is also supported by an extensive bibliography.