Zak Parker
Obesity is something that the human world is facing for the first time. An abundance of food, and unhealthy food at that, is difficult for our survival oriented history to pass up.
At the same time, multiple discoveries and scientific research has made strides into obesity, and these books do an amazing job explaining this phenomenon.
So whether you’re obese yourself or you want to know more about the challenges facing many modern people today, these are your top books to learn from.
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#1 A Big Fat Crisis by Deborah Cohen
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Who recommended this book? This was recommended by Elliot Robinson from Gun Smith Fitness. |
This is a read for anyone trying to understand how we got to the obesity health crisis we are currently experiencing worldwide. Dr. Cohen uses her research to reveal the driving factors behind obesity and she advocates for implementation of smart regulations to combat this epidemic.
I was intrigued by her idea of constructing a balanced food environment and how she confronts the availability of unhealthy foods everywhere we go. Make this your go to book if you are struggling to understand the reasoning behind your eating habits.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#2 Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
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Who recommended this book? This was recommended by Elliot Robinson from Gun Smith Fitness. |
The Fast Food Nation is a critically acclaimed book and an international best seller that captures how insidiously the fast food culture has changed the American health landscape. It highlights the gap between the rich and the poor and how healthy food choices are influenced by the economic gap. This book launched a food movement that caused millions to change how they ate and their approach to fast food.
It has a new afterword from the author discussing the current approach of consumers sourcing for locally grown organic food and the need to make healthy food affordable for all Americans. It remains a relevant resource a decade later and still shows the way the fast food industry continues to exploit low income earners.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#3 The Fattening of America by Eric Finkelstein
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Who recommended this book? This was recommended by Elliot Robinson from Gun Smith Fitness. |
Does the American economy have anything to do with the expanding girths of the population? Eric Finkelstein, the author of this book has a theory which explores how the low price of calorie dense, low nutrient fast foods combined with technology have Americans growing obese. The book does blame a sedentary lifestyle for obesity but it also highlights how the technology driven American economy encourages this sedentary lifestyle while making available unhealthy food choices at cheap prices.
So people are eating unhealthy meals because they are readily available and they work sedentary jobs meaning they do not get the opportunity to burn off the excess calories. As a health economist, the author understands how a livelihood can impact food choices and he captures the trends accurately.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#4 Fat Land by Greg Crister
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Who recommended this book? This was recommended by Elliot Robinson from Gun Smith Fitness. |
I found this book to be a tell-all expose that doesn’t sensationalize the epidemic but gives an in depth insight into how we got here. As a fitness enthusiast I was intrigued by the aspect of agribusiness and how it impacts what we are eating because I am committed to eating healthy.
This book exposes everything about not only fast food but also what we buy at the grocery store from meats to frozen foods and how corporatized farming is impacting our overall well being. It goes so far as to describe what some of the foods we are eating affect our digestive system and overall health. Excellent read if you need convincing to change your food choices.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#5 Health At Every Size by Linda Bacon
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Who recommended this book? This was recommended by Kalev Rudolph from CompareLifeInsurance. |
Written by acclaimed nutritionist Dr. Linda Bacon—who earned her doctorate in physiology, specializing in weight regulation, from the University of California, Davis and holds graduate degrees in psychology, specializing in eating disorders and body image, and exercise science, specializing in metabolism, and has professional experience as a researcher, clinical psychotherapist, exercise physiologist and educator—this book challenges many of the fundamental understandings we have of weight and what is “healthy” in America.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#6 The Overweight Mind by Jay Nixon
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Who recommended this book? This was recommended by Jamie Bacharach from Acupuncture Jerusalem. |
Many books regarding obesity and weight loss describe how someone can lose weight, but rarely do they discuss the true reasons behind the weight loss. The Overweight Mind discusses the cause and effect that the mind has on the body in regard to weight loss or lack thereof, which helps its readers understand exactly what is going on with their body. This leads to sustained weight loss that otherwise could not be achievable.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#7 Let Go of Emotional Overeating and Love Your Food by Arlene B. Englander
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Who recommended this book? This was recommended by Arlene B. Englander from ArleneEnglander. |
“Let Go of Emotional Overeating and Love Your Food: A Five Point Plan for Success” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2018) is for anyone who wishes they could eat what they like, savor it, and stop just at the point of satisfaction without overeating. Readers learn how to become aware of the difference between eating in a healthy way and eating emotionally -neither to satisfy hunger, nor for enjoyment, but in a desperate attempt to distract oneself from painful thoughts and feelings. When we handle stress well away from the table, we’re free to relax and really savor our food when we choose to eat.
Proven techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindful Eating are presented in an innovative, user-friendly way. If it isn’t pleasurable it won’t be permanent and the goal of the book is to help readers stay in control of their lives and their eating for a lifetime.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
Kalev Rudolph from CompareLifeInsurance
Jamie Bacharach from Acupuncture Jerusalem
Arlene B. Englander from ArleneEnglander
