Body of Truth
How Science, History, and Culture Drive Our Obsession with Weight -- and What We Can Do about It
Ratings2
Average rating3.5
15
How Science, History, and Culture Drive Our Obsession with Weight -- and What We Can Do about It
Ratings2
Average rating3.5
Over the past twenty-five years, our quest for thinness has morphed into a relentless obsession with weight and body image. In our culture, "fat" has become a four-letter word. Or, as Lance Armstrong said to the wife of a former teammate, "I called you crazy. I called you a bitch. But I never called you fat." How did we get to this place where the worst insult you can hurl at someone is "fat"? Where women and girls (and increasingly men and boys) will diet, purge, overeat, undereat, and berate themselves and others, all in the name of being thin? As a science journalist, Harriet Brown has explored this collective longing and fixation from an objective perspective; as a mother, wife, and woman with "weight issues," she has struggled to understand it on a personal level. Now, in Body of Truth, Brown systematically unpacks what's been offered as "truth" about weight and health. Starting with the four biggest lies, Brown shows how research has been manipulated; how the medical profession is complicit in keeping us in the dark; how big pharma and big, empty promises equal big, big dollars; how much of what we know (or think we know) about health and weight is wrong. And how all of those affect all of us every day, whether we know it or not. The quest for health and wellness has never been more urgent, yet most of us continue to buy into fad diets and unattainable body ideals, unaware of the damage we're doing to ourselves. Through interviews, research, and her own experience, Brown not only gives us the real story on weight, health, and beauty, but also offers concrete suggestions for how each of us can sort through the lies and misconceptions and make peace with and for ourselves.
Reviews with the most likes.
I have read many of these arguments elsewhere (except the evolutionary biology justification for anorexia, what the heck) very US focused.
I think I must be conservative in my reviews, even when I have thoroughly enjoyed a book and found it a good, useful, delightful read. This was all of those things. Not perfect, by any means, because I still felt as though she was annoyed at thin people, which was not necessarily her intent. And some things I already knew. But the things I DIDN'T know, well-GOOD GRIEF. There are some anger-inducing and insane facts about the medical industry, things to make one incredibly infuriated and want to punch people. The parts where Ms Brown disclosed personal information were heartbreaking. Her writing style was easy to read, clear, and enjoyable. I may change my rating the more time goes by. I do that sometimes. But I am so very glad I bought this little book, and I am excited about checking out her bibliography. This was a wonderful read. And not at all far-fetched, for any nay-sayers.
