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Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World
by
Greg Critser
In this astonishing expose, journalist Greg Critser looks beyond the sensational headlines to reveal why nearly 60 percent of Americans are now overweight. Critser's sharp-eyed reportage and sharp-tongued analysis make for a disarmingly funny and truly alarming book. Critser investigates the many factors of American life -- from supersize to Super Mario, from high-fructose...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
January 5th 2004
by Mariner Books
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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.
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, sedentary...more
This book covers the usual subjects--lack of PE in the public schools, sedentary...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 at how our diet (what makes up...more
For example, instead of just blaming the fat problem on fast food, this book also looks at how our diet (what makes up...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), and bogus advice on...more
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,...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 extended community - but rather...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 extended community - but rather...more
Much of the information in this books was redundant and repeated in slightly different form in each chapter. The chapters were far too long, which is how you cram 7 chapters in to over 100 pages, and yet despite being comparatively short the writing is dry and took me a while to plod through. This book is also very left biased (please, nanny government, fix the fat people for me!) and very anti-fat biased despite ample research that it is the sugar and refined grains in our diet, not naturally o...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 overload.
Even though...more
One negative is that Critser At times hurls a tremendous amount of statistics and names at the reader which can result in information overload.
Even though...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 does a goo...more
This text is compelling, and Critser does a goo...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 says are at the greatest...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 says are at the greatest...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-only diet. And...more
It'll help you stick to your all whole-grains, only fresh fruits and veg, organic-only diet. And...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 state...more
Jan 19, 2009
Katie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Every American, big or small
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 Land" is no exception. Aside...more
Greg Critser's "Fat Land" is no exception. Aside...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 scale.
So, the book was i...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 scale.
So, the book was i...more
1 like · like · see review
Very interesting read. Definitely motivates one to get up and moving--and not to an all-you-can-eat buffet. The information is slightly outdated now, but it was very insightful to see the history of the public school reforms (regarding what's served for lunch and the PE departments), food (consumers' demand for cheaper prices created a demand for unhealthy food substitutes and additives), and how health card (or lack thereof) plays a part. There is also a major emphasis on the effect of class on...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.
The reason I chose to read this book was to get information for my Capstone project. The book was not what I expected or what I wanted, I was wanted a good informational book that would get me plenty of information for my project. The book was not much of a non-fiction informational book, more of a book in someones point of view on how they feel on the topic. The book was averagely helpful and did give some good information like specific details on my topic (Obesity). An example of this is: "44...more
Jun 12, 2010
Edmund
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Edmund by:
edmundweisberg@yahoo.com
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.
Good read on how the Standard American Diet has changed with the influence of Agriculture, political interest, generational upbringing, and technology. At first, it was very difficult for me to get into this book because, to me, it was just a lot of fact reading. One of the chapters really hit my interest and then I could not put the book down. With that being said, I think I will re-read in the future.
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 changing your diet. My boy...more
I assert that it is impossible to read this book without changing your diet. My boy...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 electronics to...more
Oct 16, 2012
Krissy Obermark
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
random-non-fic
There was a lot of interesting info in this book and a lot to mull over (i.e. - the fine line between encouraging a healthy weight and teaching acceptance of all body types). I was a bit surprised at how anti-liberal/anti-left the concluding chapter, was, however. It seemed a disconnected.
A must read if your curious about how America ended up as fat as it is. Here's a spoiler, it wasn't just because we like to eat. This book looks at the big picture and presents a case for how the perfect storm of culture, finance and human nature has brought the results it did.
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.
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I want to read.
Jun 29, 2007 08:31am