The information was presented in a digestible way, which was good and kept the audio engaging. However, there wasn't much new information and some of the advice, especially with natural/organic products, really isn't easy to follow for the average person. Also, I found the parts about glorifying obesity unnecessary and the author's own self serving rant rather than helpful.

This book may have some helpful hints but it is so long winded that I wanted to scream, "Cut to the chase, already!" Why can't these books be written like cliff notes instead of burying the salient points in anecdotes and clinical studies. The narrater was pleasant to listen to, if you like this particular style of text book-like approach. Some people may like wading through it and even enjoy it. It just wasn't for me.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫
I recently finished reading Outsmarting Obesity by Dr. David A. Kessler, and it left me with mixed feelings.
I decided to read this book on the heels of How Not to Die by Dr. Michael Greger. In all fairness, I am comparing the two books and it is reflected in my rating.
While the book offers some valuable insights into how our brain and environment contribute to overeating, it didn't quite offer the level of practical, actionable advice I was hoping for. Outsmarting Obesity sometimes got bogged down in its scientific explanation of why we eat the way we do. While it offers a thought-provoking perspective, it didn’t give me the tools I had hoped for.
I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher and Dr. David A. Kessler for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

As the title suggests, this book is a realistic and compassionate exploration of some of the many causes of our complex obesity problem. The book mixes science with stories and manageable tips. Some of the lists of specific ingredients and chemicals to look for or avoid will be better served by a printed page than an audiobook

3.5 stars rounded up. I listened to the audiobook copy. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The chapter on food lobbies and politicians bought by the food lobbies (spoiler: it’s both parties in the US) was interesting.

The rest of the book contained a lot of information I’ve heard before from other sources. Since I listened to the audio, I’m not sure if the printed book has a list of sources for all the claims, but hopefully it does.

Overall the point of this book is that there are numerous factors that lead to obesity and it is not as simple as just telling someone to eat healthy and exercise. Losing weight and keeping it off is a complex and arduous undertaking for many people and it involves changing a lot about the American lifestyle but also learning that maybe you can’t have your cake and eat it too if cake is a trigger for you to overeat. In other word, some foods you should quit.

I think a good follow up to this book would be a journal with a self evaluation of things that people are currently doing and eating that are inhibiting their weightloss and also a guide for what to eat and how to exercise for success.

I thought this book was well thought out and informative. I liked how it addresses the problem of obesity and then provides a lot of solutions instead of eat less move more.

While I am no expert, I found Dr. Lonky’s book to be highly engaging and encouraging. He does cover the importance of diet and exercise while fully acknowledging that there are so many additional factors that go into someone becoming obese. These are covered in solid detail, and I appreciated that the actionable solutions provided were not sales pitches for anything and always provided pros and cons.

His position on the “fat positivity” and “healthy at any size” movements may be controversial. He does make it clear that he is all about body positivity, and, at this point in the audiobook, it is pretty clear how bad obesity is for the body in the short and long term so the last thing he would want to do is encourage continued damage to a listener’s body.

The narrator of the book was solid, but the more complex chemical names would be easier to take notes on in print so keep that in mind. Otherwise, the audiobook was a fantastic experience.

Many thanks to Greenleaf Book Group and NetGalley for providing a copy of this audiobook for review purposes. My opinions are my own.

Perhaps the smartest thing said in this book is the warning to consult your doctor before following any of its advice. While there is absolutely great advice (backed by research), there is also quite a bit of information that hasn't been scientifically explored enough, or is solely backed by the author's experience. Its important to remember that what worked for professional athletes and celebrities isn't always what's best for most people, nor is it accessible. No two obese people are the same and therefore their journey and treatment will be different too.

I thought this was going to contain more doable ideas. He did discuss the ongoing studies on obesity and genetic links which is very interesting. He talks about the environment playing a role in increase obesity. He also uses cases from his practice to illustrate his points. He was a bit judgemental in my opinion and feels any overweight person is unhealthy. He has a system of aipe accept where you are identify what is holding you back prevent future weight gain and eliminate harmful foods and habits. He talks about insulin resistance but didnt offer any great solutions. He talks about gut binders but didnt really explain or give alot of info that one could safely implement. I think good in theory but not helpful overall for me. I was hoping for more practical tips

I listened to the audio version of this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it, usually with these types of books I find my focus lacks but this wasn’t the case, I found the author to be extremely knowledgeable & offered a different perspective on obesity.

I am glad the author is spreading awareness of some of the harmful chemicals companies are putting in our products. I don't agree with his stance on one other aspect, but overall him shedding light on many of these toxins is great!

I enjoyed many of the stats listed throughout the book too.

This book offers a clear explanation of the science behind a groundbreaking approach to obesity, exploring how epigenetics, our environment, and harmful behaviors contribute to this widespread health crisis.

I like this book’s scientific and holistic approach. It’s technical but readable. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I listened to an audiobook version of this courtesy of Netgalley and really enjoyed it! I'm always looking for books that I can listen to while at the gym/in the car/while doing chores that cause me to think about health, and therefore make better decisions. I also have many overweight family members that are looking for solutions to various health issues and chronic pain, so I thought this might have some good insight. It definitely offered a great look into how this systemically happened to us as human beings, and how we can do things for ourselves, but we also need to work to solve this problem as a whole together if we want a long-term, healthy solution. It caused me to take a look at things like my coffee creamer that had tons of seed oils and things that are just not good for my heart, for instance, if consumed in excess. I created my own coffee creamer recipe after reading this, and I know I'll do the same with so many other items I consume. The audio was great, easy to listen to, and I may buy this book once it comes out for a few people!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Dr. Stewart Lonky’s Outsmarting Obesity is a comprehensive and enlightening exploration of one of the most pressing health issues of our time. Narrated by Josh Horowitz, this audiobook provides a clear and engaging guide to understanding and combating obesity through a blend of cutting-edge science and practical advice.

This book delves into the multifaceted causes of obesity, including genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. Dr. Lonky explains how modern lifestyles and toxic behaviors have created a perfect storm for the obesity epidemic. He introduces the concept of epigenetics and how our environment and choices can influence gene expression related to weight gain.

Josh Horowitz’s narration is a standout feature of this audiobook. His clear and articulate delivery makes complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience. Horowitz’s engaging tone and pacing keep the listener’s attention, making the audiobook both informative and enjoyable.

Dr. Lonky’s writing is authoritative and approachable. He skillfully balances scientific rigor with practical advice, making the content relevant and actionable. The use of real-life examples and case studies helps to illustrate key points and makes the science behind obesity more relatable.

Outsmarting Obesity explores themes of health, empowerment, and the interplay between genetics and environment. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of obesity to develop effective strategies for weight management.

Overall, Outsmarting Obesity is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding and addressing the obesity crisis. Dr. Stewart Lonky’s insightful analysis and practical recommendations, combined with Josh Horowitz’s excellent narration, make this audiobook a valuable resource for individuals and healthcare professionals alike. The blend of scientific knowledge and actionable advice ensures that listeners come away with a deeper understanding of obesity and the tools to make meaningful changes.

I was hopeful that this audio book would reveal some new information but I was mostly disappointed. If you’re a reader who really enjoys biochemistry, you will probably get more out of the research findings than I did. That part was just boring and over my head (and I took biochemistry in college and worked in healthcare). Anyway, I think that if this book was in a format other than audio, the reader could read slowly and take notes if so inclined. But the book does have some merit - the author reiterates practical advice for weight loss but nothing really new here. I appreciate his stance on fat-shaming not being OK but he doesn’t believe that any size body can be a healthy body and his research backs this up. The practical advice was a nice refresher for me. I did have a couple of problems with some passages in the book. The first is not the author’s fault but he cited a study that indicated that mothers can cause childhood obesity. How about fathers with unhealthy habits? The study seems biased to me. My second issue is that the author dismissed supplements and detox programs (and I don’t necessarily disagree with this opinion) but then immediately went on to promote one particular detox supplement. Just seemed incongruent to me. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend taking any time on this audiobook.