Food Fight: The Inside Story of The Food Industry, America's Obesity Crisis, and What We Can Do About It

by Kelly D. Brownell

The evergreen subject of American gluttony and sloth brings out the best in scientist-advocates, and the authors, while drawing on a mountain of statistics and studies, make their indictment both funny and appalling.
--Publishers Weekly

Brownell and Horgen uncover some of America's biggest diet hazards and how to avoid them.
--Self magazine

This is a fascinating, empowering must-read filled with practical ways to take action.
--Shape magazine

Food Fight is . . . an important contribution to the discourse around the obesity epidemic. I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to learn more about the role of the food industry, and especially to public health advocates looking for clearly presented research and ideas for positive change.
--Michele Simon, founder and director of the Center for Informed Food Choices

Genres: Food, Nonfiction, Health, Nutrition, Food and Drink, Sociology

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kathely · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good info, but I object to their proposed solutions. There is no need for the government to tax unhealthy foods; just stop subsidizing them. Restriciting advertising to children was the only one I could honestly agree with. The rest smacked of too much government intervention in people's lives. And the government is part of what caused the problem; I have no faith that they will solve the problem. It's up to people to solve it for themselves, with local issues.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really eye opening book. I swear I might never drink another soft drink again! Maybe ;).....but seriously it is quite disturbing the effect that the food industry is having on our society and our children. It is of the utmost importance to my husband and I that we raise our child with healthy eating habits, limit her TV watching, and keep her physically active. It is hard work, especially when she goes to other households, parties, etc and junk food is everywhere. Sadly she can even point out the Dunkin Donuts when we pass a store (thanks to frequent trips for munchins w/Nana!). Kudos to the other parents who are working hard to do the same for their children. Slowly but surely we will all make a difference!

[Erika Nerdypants · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book hopes to explain why the world is currently facing a childhood obesity crsis. It places blame on multimedia and national apathy, rather than on individual action. While most of the authors points are well made and researched, the book covers material that has been widely available to most North Americans. Solutions are suggested, but some are not well thought out, and perpetuate other social and global concerns such as child labour in third world countries. While educational, this is not an entirely satisfying read.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I could have gotten away with just reading the bold headings to every subsection and still have absorbed the same amount of information.

[Melsene G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that will really irritate you and want to make you do something or make you feel helpless and caught in the net of Big Food. We definitely have an obesity issue in America and since the book was written (2004), Europe and other first world countries have caught up. An update to the story is needed as 15 years is a lifetime in books and food science.

We live in a time when the big food companies control our diets and they target kids. Since they got into schools with vending machines, the lunch program, and other federal programs, etc, it's tough to counteract. Money talks, and big money is really loud! Kids are easy targets and don't understand the advertising to eat rubbish. We're all eating more high fat, meat, dairy, fried, grains, sugar, salt than ever before and we live a sedentary lifestyle. It's no longer the 50s. Childhood obesity is on the rise. Fast food is a huge problem and cause of obesity.

We're living in a toxic environment. We don't exercise enough. The schools have eliminated phys ed and kids aren't getting enough exercise which is good for the brain and helps in learning. Money needs to be allocated for walking, cycling, trails, etc. Ads corrupt kids via TV, movies, celebs-all seducing kids to eat fast food and rubbish. Top culprits are McDonald's, Coke along with Disney. Big issue is that schools partner with these companies for the money it brings. Health is not an issue. Need to get commercialism out of the schools. Soft drinks are poison-that's my opinion as well, and they are probably the top culprit for obesity and dental issues. Get rid of them along with those foul sports drinks. (Have a colonoscopy and you'll get my point!)

Portions are way too large nowadays. We can thank Archer Daniels Midland, Monsanto, ConAgra, and Cargill - agribusiness companies are not your friend. The authors suggest food taxes like tobacco. I'm not sold on this idea. The tax money never gets to where it's needed. There's much we can learn from the tobacco industry and how they were unmasked. Nicotine is addictive and cigarettes cause cancer and kill you. The same can be said for fast food, sodas, and high sugar and fatty foods. Food and tobacco companies are all owned by the same companies. A social movement is needed. More scientific evidence is required and folks need to wake up. Even the best of us have trouble avoiding many of the foods at issue. I'm not sure I see a quick answer but let's start with education and getting this crapola out of the schools and away from marketing to ignorant kids.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well. If this book didn't exactly predict the future... I'd love for them to do an update/follow up to measure the effectiveness of all their proposed solutions as they materialized. Otherwise, it's somewhat repetitive. But that's common with reference like books. It annoys me when they reference the authors experience and say "one of us (kb)". It seems rude to other contributor. Nor does it matter which of you did whatever. The parallels to the tobacco industry are compelling.

[Galicius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obesity, poor diet, and lack of physical activity are a world epidemic. The list of diseases they cause is long. America leads the way and other countries should learn from us before it’s too late for them.

Suburban sprawl and common use of energy-saving devices are at the root of the physical activity crisis and attacking it first is suggested as central to solving the others. Changing people’s behavior by exhortation is not likely to affect it much so greater incentives must be instituted to make people more physically active.

Advertising aimed at children is malicious and should be banned as it is in a very few countries. Children, especially very young, cannot distinguish advertising from the program. Children interest groups are for it. The food industry is opposed. Which side are you on?

The USDA and a number of medical groups developed a document “The Ten Keys to Promote Healthy Eating in Schools” but that’s only wishful thinking compared to the reality in schools where food companies are allowed mostly to free roam among the children.

Soft drink industry claims that they help education. It’s not their money that does to the schools but a percentage of quarters and dollars dropped into the vending machines by the children while a big cut goes to the soft drink companies. Soft drink sales in schools are a major setback to children’s diet. High sugar content in drinks push out more healthy beverages.

Portion sizes in eating establishments have blown out of proportion. Foods companies under the claim that they give people what they want have redefined the meaning of small, medium, and large and people have lost sense of what a portion is and eat more.

Economics weighs heavily on the food crisis. It costs more to eat well and to exercise. Modern technology made food cheaper and physical activity less needed. The food is manufactures is full of fat and sugar and causes obesity. The present economics of food is geared towards more of the same with little effort to alter the course.

To put a stop to growing obesity it is necessary to change the economics of food. Major effort is required like the campaign against smoking which resulted in a 50% drop in smokers in the US.

The food industry through its spokesmen and lobbyists claims it is committed to public health. It is granted access and testifies at government hearings. It spends many millions on campaign contributions (34 million in 2000 alone).

Brownell quotes Gandhi in the middle of the book: “First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win.” Towards the end he says he thinks he’s at the fighting stage. Shadow groups with names that refer to “consumer freedom” sponsored by industry money are fighting. His book like the title suggests is a response to the fight. Winning will require more passionate people.

[Ginny Messina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelly Brownell is a well-respected researcher in the field of obesity and he writes here about how today’s “toxic” food environment—polluted by the actions of both government and the food industry—has contributed to the obesity epidemic. His writing style is friendly and the book is aimed at health activists, both professionals and consumers. He describes the problem--which seems overwhelming--and then suggests plans of action. Admittedly, these seem a little overwhelming, too. But this is an especially great book for parents—or anyone concerned about the health of children in their community—who want to turn local schools into advocates rather than enemies of children’s health.

[Denice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave me a lot of the same information found in the documentary Supersize Me, so either Morgan Spurlock consulted a lot with this author or she was inspired by the film to write the book(I haven't bothered to look at the dates on either). At times it felt like she was repeating herself, but overall, there was a lot of valuable information included.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides an excellent foundation for a reader interested in learning more about obesity, food politics, and/or the food industry. Almost 10 years old, many of Brownell's predictions have come true; both the good and the bad have come to pass. Other books provide deeper insight into the different components of the food industry and nutrition, but this serves as a fabulous introduction.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have problems with the "OMG! OBESITY CRISIS!" tone of this book and so much of the media (see Big Fat Blog and many others for a different view), but this had a lot of devastating information on unhealthy foods and how they're marketed. Worthwhile for anyone really into the politics of food.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is a bit out of date, although many of the problems discussed are still pressing. There were lots of ideas for solving the nations obesity crisis, some more practical than others. However, the book was very repetitive which made it drag at times.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, but think it could have been condensed and still provided the reader with key information. Especially towards the end, the points the author was making were very repetitive and I started to zone out.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book explains how Big Food is making America fat by increasing portion sizes, making food very cheap, marketing to children and selling very high-fat, high-sugar foods. Some of the authors suggestions for fixing this I find ridiculous.

[Stephanie Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative. Lots of interesting statistics. First half of the book was much more interesting than the second half. Second half felt a little repetitive. Second half would of held my attention better if it was condensed.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike most books that bash the practices of the food industry, this one actually has things you can do about it! Its very well-written and accessable to the layperson.

[Virginia Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing book about the ties between govt, education and various food industries. along the lines of fast food nation, but more didactic in tone.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned that I will never eat fast food again--this is an evil business that is single handedly destroying the country and making us all overweight and unhealthy

[Meggityb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book opened my eyes to what goes on between the food industry and education/children's issues.

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

all statistics and information about food and health but very dry...couldn't even finish

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this disappointingly surface-level and simplistic. I guess it's a decent overview of some issues if the topic is very new to the reader, but I don't really recommend it.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent sociocultural analysis on the impacts of industry and Capitalism on food and obesity

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, this is very academic and boring, but there's a lot of important info in there. Worth slogging through.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and with a lot of good ideas on how to deal with the toxic food and activity environment that rules the world today. Even 10 years after having been published this book is still current.

[Jay Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

took his class at Yale, he is the main voice in calling for reform of the western diet, at a political, corporate and psychological level.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear thinking on the obesity issue.