Why calories count: from science to politics

Machine generated contents note: Introduction Part one. Understanding calories: It all starts with the science.

What is a calorie?

The history: From ancient Greece to modern calorie science

Food: How scientists count the calories

Bodies: How scientists measure the use of calories

Part two. Why we need calories: Survival, warmth, and work.

Metabolism: How the body turns food into energy

The first use of calories: Basic life functions

The second use: Heat losses while metabolizing food

The third use: Physical activity

Part three. Calorie intake and its regulation.

How many calories do you need?

Calorie confusion: The struggle to estimate intake

Secret calories: Alcohol

Calorie regulation: The body's complex weight-management system

Part four. Too few calories.

Starvation and its effects on the body

Individuals, communities, nations: Calories and global hunger

Could restricting calories prolong human life?

Part five. Too many calories.

An introduction to obesity

Calories and weight gain: Another complex relationship

Do excess calories make some people gain weight faster than others?

Are all calories created equal?

Do some kinds of diets work better than others?

Part six. The politics of calories: A closer look.

Today's "Eat-more" environment: The role of the food industry

More calorie confusion: Portion distortion, health halos, and wishful thinking

Calorie labeling: Science and politics

Alcohol labels: Industry vs. consumers

Will calorie labels help fight obesity?

Conclusion: How to cope with the calorie environment

Appendix one. Selected events in the history of calories, 1614-1919

Appendix two. The respiratory quotient (RQ)

Appendix three. Frequently asked questions.