Obesity is often discussed as if it were simply the result of personal choices or a lack of discipline. Spanish dietitian-nutritionist and science communicator Julio Basulto challenges that view, arguing that weight and health are influenced by a complex combination of social, economic and environmental factors.

In an interview published on 27 September 2026, Basulto discusses his book Todos gordos (con perdón) and explains why he believes blaming people for having obesity overlooks the conditions that shape their daily decisions.

His argument centres on the modern food environment, including aggressive marketing, the cost and availability of healthy food, social inequality and the influence of misinformation on social media.

Why Obesity Cannot Be Reduced to Willpower

Basulto argues that telling someone with obesity that they simply lack willpower is both scientifically inaccurate and unfair.

He compares the attitude to blaming a person with hearing loss for not listening carefully enough while working in a noisy environment. In his view, this ignores the circumstances affecting the individual.

He says health is shaped not only by personal habits but also by education, income, discrimination, social support, cultural expectations and government policies. These factors can influence the choices available to people long before an individual decision is made.

Basulto does not argue that habits are irrelevant. Rather, he says that understanding obesity requires looking beyond individual behaviour to the wider conditions in which people live.

The Four Ps Behind an Unhealthy Food Environment

One of the central concepts in the interview is the obesogenic environment: surroundings that make weight gain and unhealthy eating more likely.

Basulto identifies four elements of food marketing that he believes contribute to this environment:

• Product: highly processed foods designed to be appealing and easy to consume.

• Price: less healthy products may be cheaper, while healthier options can cost more.

• Promotion: widespread advertising encourages consumption of products people are advised to limit.

• Place: unhealthy products are readily available and prominently positioned in shops and other settings.

Together, these factors can make less healthy choices easier and more affordable than alternatives.

Basulto argues that improving nutrition requires changes to the environment as well as support for individuals who want to improve their habits.

How Social Media Influences Eating Habits

The nutritionist also raises concerns about the influence of social media on food choices and body image.

He says online platforms expose users to extensive advertising for ultra-processed foods and sugary or sweetened drinks, sometimes through promotions that are not immediately obvious as advertising.

At the same time, social media can reinforce narrow beauty standards, encourage dissatisfaction with appearance and promote restrictive eating practices or so-called miracle diets.

Basulto argues that this combination can make it harder for people to develop a balanced relationship with food. He is particularly critical of misleading claims that promise rapid weight loss or present a single food or dietary rule as the solution to complex health issues.

Healthy Eating Is Not About Eliminating All Carbohydrates

Basulto identifies the belief that all carbohydrates should be avoided as one of the nutritional myths he finds particularly difficult to challenge.

He argues that carbohydrates should not be treated as a single category of unhealthy food. Sugars and carbohydrates found in foods such as fruit and whole grains have different nutritional contexts.

He compares condemning all carbohydrates to treating every liquid as harmful simply because alcohol exists.

His broader recommendation is to build a diet around minimally processed plant foods, including vegetables, fruits and whole grains, while limiting processed meat and foods that provide little nutritional value.

He notes that a healthy diet does not have to be entirely vegetarian or vegan, but should generally include more plant-based foods and fewer animal products, particularly processed meats.

Helping Children Develop Healthy Eating Habits

Drawing on his work in paediatric nutrition, Basulto warns parents against forcing children to eat.

He argues that pressure and coercion can be counterproductive, potentially undermining a child's relationship with food rather than helping them develop healthier habits.

Instead, he recommends setting a good example, making nutritious foods available at home and respecting children's appetite and food preferences.

The aim is to create an environment in which healthier eating becomes familiar and accessible, rather than something associated with conflict or punishment.

Why Basulto Supports Warning Labels on Unhealthy Foods

Among the policy changes Basulto would like to see in Spain is the introduction of prominent warning labels on foods high in calories, sugar, saturated fat or salt.

He points to systems used in countries including Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Mexico, where black octagonal labels warn consumers when products exceed specified nutritional thresholds.

Basulto argues that these labels could make nutritional information easier to understand and help people compare products more quickly.

This is his policy recommendation, not a description of a nationwide labelling requirement already in force in Spain.

Supplements and ‘Superfoods’: Avoid False Reassurance

Basulto is also sceptical of many dietary supplements and products marketed as superfoods.

He warns that consumers can develop a false sense of security when they believe a supplement will compensate for an otherwise unhealthy lifestyle. He argues that many supplements offer little practical benefit for people without a specific need, while some can have adverse effects.

People considering supplements, particularly those taking medication or managing a health condition, should seek appropriate professional advice rather than relying on marketing claims.

His broader point is that no single product can replace the foundations of a healthy lifestyle.

Food, Emotions and the Cost of Healthy Choices

The interview also explores how food can become a way of managing emotions.

Basulto suggests that demanding work and social conditions can leave people seeking immediate comfort or reward. Highly processed foods can be convenient, accessible and relatively inexpensive, making them an easy option when people are tired or under pressure.

He argues that improving eating habits therefore involves more than telling individuals to exercise greater self-control. In his view, measures that improve working conditions, limit aggressive marketing and make healthier foods more affordable could also help.

What to Do About High Cholesterol

When asked about high cholesterol, Basulto advises people to consult a doctor to establish whether their results require medication.

He stresses that lifestyle changes can also play an important role, whether or not medication is prescribed. These may include improving sleep habits, exercising regularly, incorporating strength training and following a balanced dietary pattern.

His advice reinforces the importance of assessing individual health needs rather than relying on general rules or internet recommendations.

Moving Beyond Blame in Conversations About Health

Basulto's central message is that improving public health requires a broader understanding of why people eat as they do and the conditions that shape their behaviour.

Individual choices matter, but they are made within environments influenced by income, education, advertising, food availability and social pressures.

His argument is that more effective approaches to obesity should combine evidence-based health guidance with attention to these wider influences, replacing stigma and simplistic explanations with a more informed discussion about nutrition and wellbeing.