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Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World
by
Greg Critser
What in American society has changed so dramatically that nearly 60 percent of us are now overweight, plunging the nation into what the surgeon general calls an "epidemic of obesity"? Greg Critser engages every aspect of American life - class, politics, culture, and economics - to show how we have made ourselves the second fattest people on the planet (after Sout...more
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
January 14th 2003
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
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Want to know why America is fat? This book will tell you. Since I have read this book, I have eaten McDonald's once in the last year or so (and that was because I was drunk). Very interesting to see how much the country has changed in 60 years since the war. The book starts there, how with budget cuts to the P.E. department and importing cheap (and very fattening) substitutes for homegrown goods can really cause a whole nation to pack on the pounds.
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Well written book. The author writes about several reasons that have brought Americans to the obesity crisis that we face - from politics to school food programs to the way society views fatness throughout the past 30 years. He cites many studies, gives examples of programs that are work and why. I felt guilty for being sedentary while reading the book:-)
Book lives up to its title, using current stats, empirical data, and lucid explanation as to why America is so massive. Similar to Fast Food Nation, and Spurlock's Supersize Me in intent, Fatland is broader in investigation than the former, less visceral than the latter, and the result is an even-handed account that examines the multiple, often over-lapping factors, many of them political, feeding the fat epidemic.
This book covers the usual subjects--lack of PE in the public schools...more
This book covers the usual subjects--lack of PE in the public schools...more
Ok, I let this book linger for far too long, partially because of busy times at work. However, everytime I picked it up, I couldn't put it back down. Sure, a lot of the information in this book has been covered in other more popular books and films ("Fast Food Nation," "Super Size Me," etc.) but this is the first book that really looks at how all the external influences overlap.
For example, instead of just blaming the fat problem on fast food, this book also looks...more
For example, instead of just blaming the fat problem on fast food, this book also looks...more
The author is trying to answer the question "Why are Americans so fat"? The answer is multifaceted and all the facets add up to a "perfect storm" of obesity. The factors include, the use of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and palm oil (promoted as government policy), the lack of money for school PE programs, heavy promotion by McDonald's and other fast food chains, lack of recreational opportunities for poor youth, increased time in front of the television (and video games), ...more
Fascinating examination of the role class plays in America's obesity epidemic and the attendant epidemics of Diabetes 2 etc.
"As the sociologist Edward Shorter has noted, in contrast to its European counterpart, the American family was "born modern". From early on it was nuclear, seeking as it did to withdraw itself from the meddling of the traditional extended family. At its centre was not a child in the European tradition - essentially just one more actor in an extend...more
"As the sociologist Edward Shorter has noted, in contrast to its European counterpart, the American family was "born modern". From early on it was nuclear, seeking as it did to withdraw itself from the meddling of the traditional extended family. At its centre was not a child in the European tradition - essentially just one more actor in an extend...more
The book is completely disheartening as the reader discovers the culmination of factors (societal, political, educational, religious, economic) that trickle down to the average American and dictate the way that we think and act (so much for free will). Furthermore, it almost sends the reader into a state of despair to realize how important decisions with nationwide (and generational) repercussions are placed in the hands of such a small number of people who believe they know best. The final prod...more
Critser presents a thoroughly researched, comprehensive account of the obesity pandemic in America and the various factors that have resulted in this scary outcome. Starting at the humble beginnings where McDonald's where happy meal less to the present day where obesity and consequent aliments are a common occurrence in the American population.
One negative is that Critser At times hurls a tremendous amount of statistics and names at the reader which can result in information o...more
One negative is that Critser At times hurls a tremendous amount of statistics and names at the reader which can result in information o...more
Critser’s book, Fat Land, traces the history of food additives, fast food, and obesity since the end of Richard Nixon’s presidency to present day. This work is well-researched and written with strong authorial narration. In this book, Critser breaks down the problems with American obesity into sections about what calories are, where they come from, and what the body does with them, and Critser’s enormous research basis makes his writing believable.
This text is compelling, and Critser do...more
This text is compelling, and Critser do...more
This interesting and well-written book does more than the usual, "Fast food is evil" ranting. Critser says hard things about fast food and the processing of it, but this book is most interesting and valuable for the other reasons he discusses (with an amazing number of footnotes) for the putting and keeping on of American poundage.
Critser writes with a great deal of genuine interest and compassion. He makes a solid case for the lower classes and minority groups which he sa...more
Critser writes with a great deal of genuine interest and compassion. He makes a solid case for the lower classes and minority groups which he sa...more
This is the book to read when you're on a business trip. Not on a business trip that your boss takes, but one without a single perk where you're not going to get a chance to eat a piece of fruit until you get back home. The kind where the lunch during your all-day meeting is catered by somebody with unlimited quantities of free fried food, old white bakery-like food products and meat-like substances.
It'll help you stick to your all whole-grains, only fresh fruits and veg, organic...more
It'll help you stick to your all whole-grains, only fresh fruits and veg, organic...more
The idea of the book was great; explore all of the myriad reasons why Americans have become morbidly obese as a whole and possibly what could be done to prevent this from further damaging future generations. By the time that I got about 100 pages into it the only aspects of the issue that the book had covered were advertising, advertising in schools and school funding. I kept picking the book up and then putting it back down after about five pages when I finally decided to give it up and mail it...more
I've never viewed fat as an issue of social/economic class before. Critser opened my eyes to this reality and I'm grateful. I also like the way he connects rising sugar/corn syrup intake to our increasing problem with weight. Where I think he goes a bit astray is linking obesity with lack of exercise. Current research suggests that exercise is not a prominent factor--or perhaps even a factor at all--in our nation's weight troubles. Rather, our typical national diet is inducing a metabolic s...more
I don't understand where I got on this kick with these industry-expose books, I seem to find them utterly fascinating, even if they're about something I already know. I guess it's the exact why and how and history of what we all know to be true that holds the draw for me. I already knew the funeral industry was a scam, but seeing exactly how the ruse is perpertuated in Mitfords' "The American Way Of Death" kept me chewing until the very last page.
Greg Critser's "Fat L...more
Greg Critser's "Fat L...more
This book has total false advertising. On the back, it says that "reading this book will take ten pounds right off of you", or something like that. (I probably shouldn't use quotes if I don't actually want to get up off the couch and get the real quote, huh?)
I read this book slowly, over at least a couple months. During that time, I gained at LEAST ten pounds. Yes, I am pregnant. But whatever. I was hoping the book had magic powers that would at least keep me even on the sc...more
I read this book slowly, over at least a couple months. During that time, I gained at LEAST ten pounds. Yes, I am pregnant. But whatever. I was hoping the book had magic powers that would at least keep me even on the sc...more
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.
I really liked the beginning of the book, which talked about ag policies and super sizing and lack of physical education programs, and got bored by the end of the book, which talks about insulin spikes. There's some really good info in here about obesity and how obesity has been normalized in the US. As a Canadian, some of the stats and info isn't as interesting to me, but this still has some good info.
I did prefer "Stuffed" over "Fatl land", though.
I did prefer "Stuffed" over "Fatl land", though.
This was a fascinating book recommended to me by a good friend who has lost 100 pounds over the last four years. The book isn't a diet book, but is a fascinating history of how US economic policy and socio-polital forces have shaped the way Americans eat. I found the book fascination from a academic standpoint. It also made me aware of the forces that threaten good eating habits, and motivated me to be more cognitive of those forces.
Surprisingly, it's a little dated though it was written in 2003. Of course, the trends that Critser addresses have only gotten worse, by and large. He covered a lot of ground (the political framework that set the stage for the infusion of high fructose corn syrup; the biological effects of the devolving American diet; and the childhood obesity epidemic)with less wit than advertised, but with ample research support.
Fascinating social history of obesity in America from Nixon's Ag secretary Earl Butz to the present day. Well written. Keeps the focus on the relationship between social class and obesity. The main flaw of the book is excessive moralism. The author insists that obesity has become "socially acceptable"--despite overwhelming evidence that overweight people are stigmatized and discriminated against.
Easy to read, funny and serious, well written. How the pieces came together for 40 years to turn Americans into a health mess. Plenty to undo. Agriculture, international trade food industry, PE pros, government, school funding, family life styles together have woven a tight net. With 43% of medical costs being obese related diseases and the upcoming type II diaebeties tidal wave among kids; we are seriously screwed. I bought 3 extra copies to give to school board and doctor friends.
I read this after "Fast Food Nation" and it's a great companion piece. I learned things I hadn't known about how US foreign policy under Nixon is responsible for two common ingredients in the American diet: hydrogenated palm oil and high fructose corn syrup. I love learning about history that took place during my childhood that I was unaware of, like astonishing inflation in the price of food in the 70s. Who knew?
I assert that it is impossible to read this book without chan...more
I assert that it is impossible to read this book without chan...more
This book wavered on really interesting and incredibly dull. It took me forever to read it because I kept falling asleep during the boring parts. I kept going though because I want to read two nonfiction books this month and I already invested too much time it to start a new one. Most of what I read I already knew or didn't care about in the first place. However there were some new information that made this read worthwhile. Plus it bolstered my resolve to keep my kids' time with electronic...more
Merredith
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone
Shelves:
non-fiction,
4-or-5-stars
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.
This book changed the way I eat. Part history lesson, part investigation into the way America eats, despite how crowded this genre has become (see Fast Food Nation, Food, Inc., etc), Fat Land remains my favorite in the field. A must read.
A very easy and quick read, but loaded with information on how Americans became fat. I have to say that after reading this, I sincerely thank my mother for shunning fast food, cola, candy and snacks in my childhood
This book was not what I was expecting. It was hard to get through the book and I felt bogged down by all the dry facts. There were a few good chapters and stories, but for the most part, it was painful to read.
THis is such a great book, about several causes of obesity in America. It never ceases to amaze me how so many people abuse their bodies through malnutrition and inactivity, and drive up health care costs for others.
3.5 stars. Some really interesting stuff in this book, just too much boring stuff to go along with it. In a 175 page book, you don't need 15 or 20 pages on some of the topics he writes about. Still, I think the insights into the role of fat in our culture are worth reading.
I couldn't get to finish this book because after some chapters, it started talking about dull topics, which bore me. I only used this book as a source for a speech on Processed Foods.
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