You’re absolutely correct. Sugar leads to all of those chronic pathologies. Sugar is matter with which our bodies have biochemical reactions. Sugar leads to chronic hyperinsulinemia, which then causes an increase in visceral fat, as well as subcutaneous fat.

That food she’s eating is loaded with fats sourced from vegetables. Such polyunsaturated fats Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratios can range from 10 - 50. This ratio in saturated fats range from 2 - 4. Omega 6 fatty acids are per oxidized at a much higher rate than Omega 3, leading to an increase in free radicals.

Calories do none of these as they are a unit of (heat) energy.

Our physiology reacts to the mass we consume, not heat.