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.