The Origin of Overweight

The Origin of Overweight
Author: Yvonne Foss
Publisher: Lilian John Books
Pages: 394
Genre: Non-fiction, Biology
Published: November 26, 2015 
Rating: 1/5 stars

Description

The Origin of Overweight investigates the link between vitamin D and body weight. This eye-opening exploration reveals that the effect of fossil fuel emissions on ultraviolet radiation is one aspect of climate change that has been overlooked - yet it could be the main cause of the rise in obesity. It shows why a deeper understanding of biology and climate change is necessary to deal with the problem of overweight and obesity, and why our obsession with the usual suspects of food, drink, diet, and exercise is having little effect.

My thoughts

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway

I’m a nutrition and dietetics student. That’s probably why I was interested in this book in the first place, but I was very disappointed in this book. 

There was so much wrong with this book that I wanted to put it down after reading maybe 1 chapter. I’m no expert on vitamin D but I do know something. But even without knowing about vitamin D you could see that most point she made on why vitamin D was the cause of overweight were weak. I agree with you, most people have a vitamin D deficiency. But that’s the only thing I agree with. Because of some polar bear, penguin or fish in the bottom of the sea get bigger doesn’t mean humans do that too. Or the point that since the industrial revolution weight gone up because of pollution and that we stay more indoors. There are a lot more variables you should keep in mind. We don’t just stay more indoors but we also exercise less, and eat different kind of food which can also account for the weight gain. And so there are more points I disagree with. But these two are just some examples.

I’m not saying that it is not possible that vitamin D has something to do with weight gain, but I think the assumptions that are made in this book are not well substantiated. Maybe if there was more evidence you could convince me. So sadly I didn't enjoy this read. maybe the next will be better.