Why Evolution Made Us Fat: The Science Explained

Are you really predestined to be overweight, even though you´re always dieting and exercising more than your best friend?

If so, is there really nothing you can do about it—except take expensive, lifelong medication? And why did evolution think it was a good idea to make anyone fat when everyone in our society wants to be slim... or even skinny? Furthermore, is fat the same as being unhealthy, or is it possible to be fat and healthy?

These are some of the controversial questions that Professor Ruth Loos will address in this conversation with journalist and writer Alberte Clement Meldal.

Ruth Loos has been researching our genetic predispositions to obesity for over 25 years. In the beginning, no one was particularly interested in her research. Today, however, everyone is – since the topic has become one of the most controversial and important when it comes to health policies all over the world.

ON STAGE
Ruth Loos is a professor at The Faculty of Health and Medical Science at University of Copenhagen and Professor and Vice Executive Director at Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research.

She is interviewed by Alberte Clement Meldal, journalist and author of Weightless – How I Stopped the War on My Body (Vægtløs – Hvordan jeg stoppede krigen mod min krop), published in 2022. Meldal also hosted several podcasts on DR P1, including Skinny and Happy? and I Am Naked. She is currently hosting That’s a Classic – a show that talks about what the guests’ favorite literature says about their lives.

Program for 26th September 2025
17.30
Doors open and Copenhagen University serves a glass of wine or water as part of the ticket price.

18.00 - 19.00
Science Talk (app. 45 minutes) followed by questions from the audience (no break).

19:00-19:15
Have a walk in the Library

19:15 - 22.00
Library Bar with UCAPS & byStudents

Making Sense of It All (Verden forsøgt forklaret) is a series of conversations about what shapes our shared world. The guest of the week contributes with research-based perspectives on themes from the public conversation – what we talk about, vote about, argue about and gather about. Get smarter together with some of the country's leading researchers when they give their take on what is up and down in current discussions from the intimate scene in the historic Copenhagen University Library in Fiolstræde.

‘Verden forsøgt forklaret’ is supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Notice!
The science conversation and Q&A are recorded for production, video and podcast to be edited and released the following week. We expect you to be aware of this and note that not all seatings will have a perfect view to the scene due to cameras, light, sound and other recording gear.