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thaoeatworld's review against another edition
5.0
Well written with charm and relevant statistics. I have to admit I'm quite more so frightened for the future of nutritional and dietary trends in the United States now than I was initially.
emjay24's review against another edition
5.0
This book seems a little smarter than what i'd normally read, but once you get into it, it's great. you get to learn the political, economic and sociological origins of US's horrible diet. also, it goes into the medical stuff, which was really interesting. this book has made me want to check even more what i'm eating and what random chemicals might be inside. definite must read.
k80uva's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a real eye-opening examination about how Americans came to have the obesity epidemic we are dealing with today. Critser makes it crystal clear that this issue is the result of far more than just personal choices: changing political priorities, budget cuts, and the development of fast food as a cultural norm have all played their part. This book is fascinating and disturbing, and may help pave the way for us to think differently about the causes of obesity.
amymo73's review against another edition
3.0
I know, I know. This book is nearly a decade old now, yet somehow it has sat, unread, on my bookshelf for quite a few years. The research in some parts is dated, though not necessarily disproven. I found I breezed through the book which meant it was an easy read, though I felt like the connections could have been stronger and the research with each chapter spelled out a bit better. (Then again, it's easy to critique and difficult to write an engaging book that is also well-researched.) Overall, I enjoyed Greg Critser's look all the different elements which have provided fuel for the obesity epidemic. Not just a moral problem of self control, it is a complicated web of farm price policy, inflation, social reforms, race, gender and class. It is not just personal responsibility and behavior modification but also public policies -- particularly in regards to school attitudes toward health, fitness and nutrition along with involvement for public parks and safe neighborhoods. The book lacks any clear action the reader can take, but knowledge is power and so is intention. We can demand more of ourselves in the way of health (personal responsibility) and demand more of our elected officials, community organizations and businesses to create and support environments where it's safe and economical to make healthy choices.
mollywithcurls's review against another edition
This is a very well-researched book. It contains a lot of statistics and US History, but it is very readable and understandable. It's scary at times because of its honesty in describing America's obesity problems. It's fascinating for anyone who is concerned with why and how we keep getting fatter and fatter as a nation.
aminowrimo's review against another edition
2.0
I read this book back in May and am only just now reviewing it (and I don't have access to the original), so take everything I say with a grain of salt.
Firstly, this book made me angry. The fact that one group of humans is more concerned by profit than the greater good infuriated me. Basically, this and the fact that schools have little budget (and everyone is overly concerned by kids' self-esteem, thus lowering minimum fitness levels? <- not sure about this),
Secondly, this book made me think. It's easy to live in a little bubble where everyone thinks like me: mostly about themselves, but also considering at least part of the rest of the world when implementing something. But most people in power, it seems, are more concerned with themselves. It's good to remember this, especially when writing anything.
Thirdly, this book gave me a ton of cool trivia tips, like the fact that fructose isn't digested the way sucrose or glucose is, and basically arrives in the liver almost completely intact. Or the fact that palm oil has about the same fat percentage as beef tallow. Or the fact that the Japanese invented high fructose corn syrup (or discovered it?) in the late 1970s, thus thrusting fatness upon the world.
Firstly, this book made me angry. The fact that one group of humans is more concerned by profit than the greater good infuriated me. Basically, this and the fact that schools have little budget (and everyone is overly concerned by kids' self-esteem, thus lowering minimum fitness levels? <- not sure about this),
Secondly, this book made me think. It's easy to live in a little bubble where everyone thinks like me: mostly about themselves, but also considering at least part of the rest of the world when implementing something. But most people in power, it seems, are more concerned with themselves. It's good to remember this, especially when writing anything.
Thirdly, this book gave me a ton of cool trivia tips, like the fact that fructose isn't digested the way sucrose or glucose is, and basically arrives in the liver almost completely intact. Or the fact that palm oil has about the same fat percentage as beef tallow. Or the fact that the Japanese invented high fructose corn syrup (or discovered it?) in the late 1970s, thus thrusting fatness upon the world.
evagro's review against another edition
5.0
This book is the author's attempt at explaining how Americans became the fattest people in the world. This is one of the best non-fiction books I've read in a long time. In this review, I go chapter to chapter with my own notes. These notes, although pretty thorough, give the book no justice, because it's just that good. I like how he takes a very long look at the history of obesity, exercise, food and other related issues of this country. Highly recommended.
Read more: http://knowledgeiscool.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-review-fat-land.html
Read more: http://knowledgeiscool.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-review-fat-land.html