The Men Who Made Us Thin - Episode Guide

Jacques takes a look at the scientific reasons why so many diets fail long-term and why we continue to try them again and again. In America, he talks to industry insiders and learns some of the secrets of the industry.

Jacques takes a look at the history of the fitness industry and looks at how one man in the 1960s, Jean Meyer, helped us to see that exercise was an effective way to lose weight.

Jacques learns how the World Health Organisation's recognition of obesity as 'an epidemic' managed to create millions of new customers for the weight loss industry. During the late Nineties, the BMI measurements used to clarify the level at which people are considered to be overweight were lowered meaning more people wanting to lose weight.

Jacques attempts to find out why the world's population continues to get fatter, despite the fact that billions are spent each year on weight loss products and schemes.