The Obesity Code Book Summary - The Obesity Code Book explained in key points
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The Obesity Code summary

Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss

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Brief summary

The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung explores the hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors that contribute to obesity, offering a scientifically backed plan for sustainable weight loss.
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    The Obesity Code
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    Genetic factors play a larger role in obesity than social environment.

    Like lots of other social problems, obesity is often framed as a nature versus nurture issue. So what’s the cause of obesity – does it come down to people’s metabolisms or their lifestyle? Well, the answer might just surprise you: the latest research suggests that social environment isn’t the primary cause of obesity.

    We know that from scientific studies of environmental factors affecting children as they develop. The best way of determining how important these are is to look at adopted kids and their families. That’s just what Albert J. Stunkard did. His research on adopted children in Denmark was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1986. Why Denmark? Well, the country is pretty great at keeping accurate adoption records, which is just what Stunkard needed to compare his subject’s adoptive and biological parents.

    Stunkard showed that there was no correlation whatsoever between the weight of these minors and their adoptive parents. This indicated that environmental factors had virtually no bearing on whether children became obese or not. The results of the study came as a shock. Until that point, the default assumption had been that social environment was the most important factor when it came to obesity. The argument that early exposure to junk food led to weight issues had been refuted.

    That left genetic factors. Stunkard didn’t just dismiss an old theory, however. He also provided evidence for a new hypothesis. When he compared adopted kids to their biological parents, he found a strong correlation: the children of obese parents were much more likely to become obese themselves even if they’d grown up in a family in which everyone else was relatively thin. In 1991, Stunkard published a follow-up study which put a number to his claims. According to his new research, genetic factors account for approximately 70 percent of a person’s likelihood to develop obesity.

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    What is The Obesity Code about?

    The Obesity Code (2016) addresses the alarming global rise of obesity and asks what we can do to minimize the risks to our health. The best place to start, Jason Fung argues, is to clear up common misconceptions about the causes of obesity, beginning with the old saw that all dietary fats are to blame. That means taking a closer look at the latest evidence and addressing the true culprit: insulin resistance.

    The Obesity Code Review

    The Obesity Code (2016) unravels the mystery behind weight gain and provides a scientific approach to weight loss. Discover why this book is essential reading:

    • It challenges conventional wisdom, revealing the real causes of obesity and how to address them.
    • The book offers a comprehensive, evidence-based plan for sustainable weight loss.
    • Readers gain a deeper understanding of their body's hormonal responses to food and fasting.

    Unlock the secret to lasting weight loss with The Obesity Code.

    Best quote from The Obesity Code

    Obesity is overwhelmingly inherited.

    —Jason Fung
    example alt text

    Who should read The Obesity Code?

    • Anyone looking to lose weight
    • Doctors and nutritionists
    • Food producers and consumers

    About the Author

    Jason Fung is a kidney specialist and head of the Intensive Dietary Management program at Scarborough Hospital in Ontario, Canada. A well-known expert on type 2 diabetes and obesity, Fung is also the author of The Diabetes Code, The Longevity Solution and The Complete Guide to Fasting.

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    The Obesity Code FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Obesity Code?

    The Obesity Code reveals the hormonal and genetic factors causing obesity and provides a comprehensive plan for sustainable weight loss.

    How long does it take to read The Obesity Code?

    The estimated reading time for The Obesity Code is 8-10 hours. On Blinkist, you can read the summary in just 15 minutes.

    Is The Obesity Code a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Obesity Code is a must-read for anyone seeking a scientific approach to weight loss and a deeper understanding of obesity.

    Who is the author of The Obesity Code?

    The author of The Obesity Code is Dr. Jason Fung, a Canadian nephrologist and expert in intermittent fasting and low-carb diets.

    How many chapters are in The Obesity Code?

    The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung has 17 chapters:

    1. The Epidemic
    2. The Calorie Deception
    3. A New Model of Obesity
    4. The Insulin-Centric Model
    5. The Secret Sauce
    6. The Myth of the Balanced Diet
    7. The Role of Fasting
    8. The Role of Protein
    9. The Role of Fat
    10. The Role of Carbohydrates
    11. The Role of Insulin
    12. The Role of Cortisol
    13. The Role of Leptin
    14. The Role of Ghrelin
    15. The Role of Sleep
    16. The Role of Stress
    17. The Practical Guide to Fasting

    How many pages are in The Obesity Code?

    The Obesity Code is 326 pages long.

    When was The Obesity Code published?

    The Obesity Code was published in 2016.

    What to read after The Obesity Code?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Obesity Code, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The Metabolism Reset Diet by Alan Christianson
    • The Diabetes Code by Jason Fung
    • Always Hungry? by Dr. David Ludwig
    • Burn by Herman Pontzer
    • The Bulletproof Diet by Dave Asprey
    • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
    • Help Me, I Have No Discipline and Zero Self-Control by Vaughn Carter
    • The Power of When by Michael Breus
    • How Not to Diet by Michael Greger
    • The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss