Deirdre Barrett explains the obesity epidemic in terms of super-natural stimuli and gives advice for avoiding obesity and improving health. Her thesis is that our bodies are still adapted for the Arican savannah where exercise was plentiful and sugar and fat scarce. We are genetically programmed to prefer the very foods that are bad for us now that they are so readily available. This is not a particularly new idea but Barrett's solution is. Forget moderation and cutting down - Barrett believes it is easier to go 'cold turkey'. She compares the situation with withdrawing from drugs or quitting smoking. Her recipe for health is to exercise 1 hr/day, completely eschew trans fats, white flour and refined sugar and instead eat lots of dark vegetables, moderate amounts of lean protein and fruit and small amounts of nuts, seeds, grains and eggs. Barrett also has suggestions for societal changes that would make the process easier.
This book is easy to read and Barretts ideas seem well-supported by scientific evidence but I suspect the changes she advocates will be too unpalatable for most people. ( )