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Planeta grubasów. Jak uciec z pułapki otyłości
Nasza planeta jest w szponach pandemii otyłości. Ponad miliard ludzi na całym świecie ma nadwagę, a ponad 600 milionów jest otyłych. Żyjemy w środowisku sprzyjającym otyłości, w którym dużo łatwiej jest przytyć niż pozostać fit. Jak do tego doszło? Kto jest temu winny? Co możemy zrobić, żeby powstrzymać epidemię otyłości?
W „Planecie grubasów” dr David Lewis i dr Margaret Leitch przedstawiają wyniki swoich badań nad społecznymi i psychologicznymi przyczynami pandemii otyłości i próbują znaleźć odpowiedzi na powyższe pytania.
Korzystają z przełomowych badań, a także prześwietlają działania korporacji, które nieustannie promują żywność o wysokiej zawartości cukru, tłuszczu i soli, i tym samym dowodzą, że żywienie się „śmieciowym jedzeniem” ma zaskakująco podobne konsekwencje neurologiczne do tych wywoływanych przez twarde narkotyki. Autorzy odważnie obalają mity diet i odchudzających pigułek, jednocześnie podpowiadając, jak łatwo wdrożyć strategie zrównoważonego odchudzania. Konkluzja jest oczywista: nigdy nie jest za późno, by zmienić swój sposób odżywiania i powstrzymać nadciągającą katastrofę w organizmie.
W „Planecie grubasów” dr David Lewis i dr Margaret Leitch przedstawiają wyniki swoich badań nad społecznymi i psychologicznymi przyczynami pandemii otyłości i próbują znaleźć odpowiedzi na powyższe pytania.
Korzystają z przełomowych badań, a także prześwietlają działania korporacji, które nieustannie promują żywność o wysokiej zawartości cukru, tłuszczu i soli, i tym samym dowodzą, że żywienie się „śmieciowym jedzeniem” ma zaskakująco podobne konsekwencje neurologiczne do tych wywoływanych przez twarde narkotyki. Autorzy odważnie obalają mity diet i odchudzających pigułek, jednocześnie podpowiadając, jak łatwo wdrożyć strategie zrównoważonego odchudzania. Konkluzja jest oczywista: nigdy nie jest za późno, by zmienić swój sposób odżywiania i powstrzymać nadciągającą katastrofę w organizmie.
328 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2015
4 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
David R. Lewis
295 books25 followersDavid Lewis is a retired, decorated Lieutenant-Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. Having retired just before COVID came to visit, he was forced to stay home with limited options for personal productivity. Perhaps it was time for him to paint and to write. David writes about his life and many years of military service in both the US and Canada, Europe and Afghanistan. He also includes how flashbacks of childhood abuse at the hands of parish priests have influenced and infected his life and service. David is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, the General Campaign Star – South-West Asia, the Commander Canadian Army Commendation, and other decorations. He has been married to Sherrie, his wife of over 40 years. They have five children and one granddaughter.
(Also, I have not authored over 200 books. Goodreads just attaches every 'David Lewis' authored book and I can't undo it)
(Also, I have not authored over 200 books. Goodreads just attaches every 'David Lewis' authored book and I can't undo it)
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 6, 2016
This book felt a little bit like a Twinkie. You think it will be filling, but just kind of full of air. Yes it is interesting to read the studies (although I got a little fed up with them....) and yes, it's helpful to read about a fit person in a fat suit feeling stigmatized and knowing what that stigma feels like. And yes, it's helpful to know that there is sooo much hidden sugar and fat in our diet and we are hardwired to like it and overeat it. And no, it's not shocking to read that fad diets do not work. But the helpful part of the book was shallow and unfulfilling....and the message, not anything new. Cut calories and know what you are eating. And that's the hard part. The best book I've ever read about diet is Jane Brody's Nutrition Book followed closely by Diet for a Small Planet. Much more helpful and practical.
July 11, 2017
I thought this was an interesting read, but I wasn't completely convinced by it. It starts with one of the authors donning a fat suit to "understand" what it's like to be obese, which just felt really weird to me - could they not have found someone to interview? Also, despite her noting that she was treated very negatively during this experience, they never spoke about the social side of things. I think there is a strong argument (particularly when it comes to fad diets and bingeing) that negative attitudes towards fat people have a huge impact on behaviours. They also barely discuss the role of exercise, except briefly at the end.
August 29, 2019
Może 4,9 gwiazdki gdyż bym oczekiwał większego rozwinięcia niektórych tematów (np.: zdrowe produkty i odżywianie się) ale książka oświecająca przedstawiająca szereg zagadnień od lekarskich (działanie mózgu i hormonów w kształtowaniu się głodu i objadania się) po meandry marketingu i psychologii. Na koniec przedstawiony jest plan w punktach - Co zrobić w naszym Świecie aby wyeliminować nadmierny konsumpcjonizm a w następstwie otyłość i choroby cywilizacyjne z tym związane (choroby otyłych to duże obciążenie dla gospodarki).
Niemniej książka godna polecenia dla tych którzy chcą zacząć się odchudzać.
Polecam też: "Cały ten cukier", "Cukier, Sól, Tłuszcz".
Niemniej książka godna polecenia dla tych którzy chcą zacząć się odchudzać.
Polecam też: "Cały ten cukier", "Cukier, Sól, Tłuszcz".
January 11, 2020
A fair combination of data with theories, and enough science to be understandable to a novice. I found it a really good introductory book to why biologically and behaviourally we have the relationship with food we do. It also taught me a lot about my own attitudes to calories. Very worthwhile read!
December 10, 2025
The book lost me on the episode of a Very Scientific Experiment, when they asked the participants not to eat after midnight (gasp!), gave them quick-carbs-loaded, but otherwise a normal breakfast (cereals, milk, orange juice, if I recall correctly) of 400 kcal (gasp! gasp!) and asked not to eat for the next 3 hours (shocking, right?!), and then offered them chocolate ice cream. a) it is totally normal not to eat after midnight. b) this kind of breakfast sucks. c) calorie-wise it is a totally normal breakfast. d) quick carbs after quick carbs suck. Give them full English breakfast and let's see how much ice cream they would be able to eat afterwards!
Basically: don't eat shit, move your body everyday and you won't be obese.
There was another a Very Scientific Experiment with a fit person wearing a fat suit. The said person started to feel humiliated and depressed even before going out in this suit, so what is the point of collecting a feedback from random people if the actor has already badmouthed themselves in the peace of their own home? I could not help but remember another experiment when the scientists were supposed to check how random strangers behave toward people with visible flaws, like scars and birthmarks. The scientists put the corresponding makeup on the actors and sent them out, the actors reported that people were mean to them. All nice, except the actors did not have any makeup: the scientists just pretended to paint scars on their faces.
Basically: don't eat shit, move your body everyday and you won't be obese.
There was another a Very Scientific Experiment with a fit person wearing a fat suit. The said person started to feel humiliated and depressed even before going out in this suit, so what is the point of collecting a feedback from random people if the actor has already badmouthed themselves in the peace of their own home? I could not help but remember another experiment when the scientists were supposed to check how random strangers behave toward people with visible flaws, like scars and birthmarks. The scientists put the corresponding makeup on the actors and sent them out, the actors reported that people were mean to them. All nice, except the actors did not have any makeup: the scientists just pretended to paint scars on their faces.
January 3, 2025
This book offers a comprehensive summary of the physiological and psychological elements of obesity, combined with the deliberate (obesogenic) tactics used by multinational corporations to manipulate individuals into succumbing to their temptations.
The interrogation of marketing techniques was especially interesting. Notably, the use of cartoon characters to generate familiarity and interest to captivate young children combined with the deliberate angling of their eyes to create eye contact. This is profoundly disturbing but not particularly surprising. It makes perfect sense that companies that profit from overconsumption will happily manipulate children to make them dependent on their energy-dense, nutritiously poor produce. The use of colours, songs, and adverts to consistently encourage individuals to hyper-focus on food is equally unsurprising. It was fitting that the experiment on the rats, to pavlov-dog them to eat whenever they see a light, corresponds to humans being urged to eat by ads. In this rat race, even our food urges cannot be trusted.
If ever there was a depiction of the extent to which conglomerates use and abuse their consumers, Dorito Asylum 626 is it. To deliberately emotionally prime users to create a subconscious connection to Doritos. We are failing our people. Where are the regulations? Where are the subsequent lawsuits? How is this not a crime? And, I do not fail to notice, the extent of these marketing techniques aimed at younger, more vulnerable, members of our society. It is children and teenagers, who are susceptible to these attacks, that fall first and fall fast. Child obesity rates are rising, and they have colossal consequences. These children will become parents who will have children, and continue this cycle. As Leitch and Lewis note, eating habits are established in the womb.
The biological explanations of aspects that influence hunger (sleep & using the self-control 'muscle') further intrigue me. Isn't it interesting that in this society, which demands productivity at the expense of sleep & the 9-5 routine wrings out everyone's self-control before they have even returned home? Not to mention that those working labour-intensive jobs, long hours or, night shifts (i.e. the poorer sector of society) are those most impacted by the changes in hunger. What is evident? That socio-economic factors are a dominant influence in obesity. But, also, that these conglomerates rely on this social structure. Command the people. Tire the people. Gorge the people.
However, certain aspects of this book were lacking, if not entirely inappropriate. Starting with the 'what it feels like to be fat' chapter, which is actually from the perspective of a slender person wearing a fat suit...
Although, I am curious about why they do not interrogate some of their more generic conclusions. They note that obese people's gut biome's have different bacteria than in a healthier individual. But they suggest that this can contribute to weight gain when, equally it could be the inverse relationship that certain habits breed certain gut bacteria- would this not give us a more comprehensive view? Why is this missing?
Overall, this book is a reminder that in an increasingly controlled world, where autonomy and freewill are illusions (for how can you choose to have a burger if McDonalds primed you for it with adverts and 'I'm lovin' it' tunes?). Don't give into those temptations, they were never yours to have.
The interrogation of marketing techniques was especially interesting. Notably, the use of cartoon characters to generate familiarity and interest to captivate young children combined with the deliberate angling of their eyes to create eye contact. This is profoundly disturbing but not particularly surprising. It makes perfect sense that companies that profit from overconsumption will happily manipulate children to make them dependent on their energy-dense, nutritiously poor produce. The use of colours, songs, and adverts to consistently encourage individuals to hyper-focus on food is equally unsurprising. It was fitting that the experiment on the rats, to pavlov-dog them to eat whenever they see a light, corresponds to humans being urged to eat by ads. In this rat race, even our food urges cannot be trusted.
If ever there was a depiction of the extent to which conglomerates use and abuse their consumers, Dorito Asylum 626 is it. To deliberately emotionally prime users to create a subconscious connection to Doritos. We are failing our people. Where are the regulations? Where are the subsequent lawsuits? How is this not a crime? And, I do not fail to notice, the extent of these marketing techniques aimed at younger, more vulnerable, members of our society. It is children and teenagers, who are susceptible to these attacks, that fall first and fall fast. Child obesity rates are rising, and they have colossal consequences. These children will become parents who will have children, and continue this cycle. As Leitch and Lewis note, eating habits are established in the womb.
The biological explanations of aspects that influence hunger (sleep & using the self-control 'muscle') further intrigue me. Isn't it interesting that in this society, which demands productivity at the expense of sleep & the 9-5 routine wrings out everyone's self-control before they have even returned home? Not to mention that those working labour-intensive jobs, long hours or, night shifts (i.e. the poorer sector of society) are those most impacted by the changes in hunger. What is evident? That socio-economic factors are a dominant influence in obesity. But, also, that these conglomerates rely on this social structure. Command the people. Tire the people. Gorge the people.
However, certain aspects of this book were lacking, if not entirely inappropriate. Starting with the 'what it feels like to be fat' chapter, which is actually from the perspective of a slender person wearing a fat suit...
Although, I am curious about why they do not interrogate some of their more generic conclusions. They note that obese people's gut biome's have different bacteria than in a healthier individual. But they suggest that this can contribute to weight gain when, equally it could be the inverse relationship that certain habits breed certain gut bacteria- would this not give us a more comprehensive view? Why is this missing?
Overall, this book is a reminder that in an increasingly controlled world, where autonomy and freewill are illusions (for how can you choose to have a burger if McDonalds primed you for it with adverts and 'I'm lovin' it' tunes?). Don't give into those temptations, they were never yours to have.
August 17, 2015
Everything you ever wanted to know about fat, including the nutritional side and scientific side (without going too over board or technical with it). Interesting studies were done along with the health side, but also the social side, how others treat obese people, the 'fat' stigma. Some eye opening and truthful 'negatives' about society. So the question is, why is 'fat' no longer a sign of prosperity, good health and respect? And why are actresses today forced to become skinny, rather than fit and healthy? Just on the good personal side, love the details with why chocolate is really good for you and why we love it so much :) Although there was a lot of stuff that I already knew, especially on the science side, it does give loads of interesting social and personal information and ideas about how we all view 'fat'.
July 18, 2015
I nearly gave up on this book and I am really glad I didn't. Really fantastic, comprehensive look at the social, political psychological and historical reasons for the growing number of morbidly obese people. Some fantastic observations about the unhealthy relationship between government and food business, and its very real impact on public health. Also some very interesting writing about food technology and the science of hyper-palatability. Scary stuff, but a great starting point for a discussion that needs to happen.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews