[Does sugar play a role in the development of overweight?]

In animal experiments the fat content in food is reproducibly the most important factor in the development of obesity. Carbohydrates obviously only play a subordinate role. According to the present "hard" data for the significance of sugar in the development of obesity in humans this connection must (depending on the results of epidemiological studies) surprisingly be denied. Opposing opinions, for example, from Yudkin, still cannot be proved by data. A theoretical connection between the sugar-content of the diet and obesity can be made, but an experimental result that shows a clear preference for the incorporation of fructose in glyceridglycerine and also in fatty acids has proven to be an misinterpretation and, therefore, is non-relevant. Whether an increased specific dynamic effect of sugar (especially of the fructose component) in relationship to fat has a role in obesity seems to be rather doubtful. The "hidden" energy content of beverages could be of importance in obesity of humans, but little data for this is available. The "set point" for the body weight and for the regulation of food consumption in humans seems to be predominantly determined by psychological factors. With human beings as well as with laboratory animals the easy availability of tasty, fat-rich foodstuffs ("cafeteria-situation") seems to be an essential factor.