Dr. Paul Gately, Professor of Exercise and Obesity at Leeds Beckett University and CEO of MoreLife joins At the Table with Susan and Lucy
April 17, 2023
Press: press@aifcoalition.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the American Italian Food Coalition (AIFC) released an At the Table with Susan and Lucy as part of the Coalition’s ongoing interview series hosted by AIFC co-chairs Susan Molinari and Lucy Calautti. Susan and Lucy interviewed Dr. Paul Gately, Professor of Exercise and Obesity at Leeds Beckett University and CEO of MoreLife.
In his At The Table interview, Professor Gately discussed AIFC’s Positive Nutrition Roundtable held at the Embassy of Italy last September, in which he was a panelist. He stressed the importance of positive messaging for a sustainable diet model based on lifestyle and habits rather than an approach of restriction and negativity. Dr. Gately explained how science has evolved to understand the specifics about food, nutrition, nutrients, exercise, and energy, but overlooks the human circumstances, culture, and lived experiences that result in obesity. He emphasized balanced messaging about food quality, nutrients, and wholistic diet models, stating:
“The problem with most diets is people revert back to their old behaviors because we are telling people what not to do, rather than giving them something to aim for… the benefit of that [roundtable] was embracing the positive message of food and enjoying food….What I’ve brought to my work is messages about food, culture, and community as part of a holistic, healthy lifestyle. The ‘don’t do’ attitude is unhelpful because it’s restricting and depressing. Food should be celebrated and embraced… it’s an important part of how we come together as humans to enjoy what our world has to offer us.”
To watch the full interview, please visit www.aifcoalition.org/atthetable.
Stay connected with the AIFC by following us on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn at @AIFCoalition.
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The American Italian Food Coalition is an alliance of more than 450 Italian companies, manufacturers, and trade associations dedicated to ensuring American consumers continue to have access to high-quality, affordable imported Italian products including pasta, coffee, biscuits, and wafers.
At the Table with Susan and Lucy is a web series hosted by the Honorable Susan Molinari and Lucy Calautti, featuring discussions and interviews with prominent guests about Italian food, heritage, and politics.