6 Obesity Books That Change How Experts Think About Weight

Recommended by Andreas Eenfeldt, Colin Campbell, and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove for impactful Obesity Books

Andreas Eenfeldt
Updated on June 28, 2025
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What if the way we think about obesity is missing the real story? For decades, obesity has been viewed through the lens of calories and willpower, leaving many frustrated and searching for answers. Yet experts like Dr. Jason Fung and Dr. John McDougall have challenged these assumptions, revealing hormonal and nutritional factors that reshape our understanding of weight management.

Andreas Eenfeldt, founder of Dietdoctor.com, praises "The Obesity Code" for its clear explanation of insulin's role in weight gain, calling it a revelation that helped him rethink metabolic health. Meanwhile, Colin Campbell, a nutrition scientist known for "The China Study," endorses McDougall’s plant-based approach for its practical application of nutrition science. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove offers a fresh perspective with his faith-informed memoir "This Is My Body," blending spirituality and wellness in the obesity conversation.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific metabolic health, spiritual beliefs, or surgical options might consider creating a personalized Obesity book that builds on these insights and fits their unique journey.

Best for hormonal weight management
Andreas Eenfeldt, MD and founder of Dietdoctor.com, brings a seasoned perspective to obesity with his recommendation of this book. He highlights its surprising humor alongside deep insights, noting how it clarifies why obesity has become widespread and offers ways to reverse it. His endorsement reflects his expertise in diet and metabolic health, showing how Dr. Fung's focus on insulin challenges standard thinking and helped him rethink weight management. Alongside him, Sam Feltham, a leading fitness trainer, praises the book for simplifying obesity's root causes, underlining why this work resonates with those seeking to understand and combat weight gain effectively.
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Recommended by Andreas Eenfeldt

MD, Founder of Dietdoctor.com

Not only full of insights but also surprisingly funny. Read it to understand why the world became fat, how to reverse the epidemic—and how to stay thin yourself. (from Amazon)

The Obesity Code - Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss (Book 1) (The Code Series, 1) book cover

by Dr. Jason Fung, Timothy Noakes··You?

2016·296 pages·Weight Loss, Obesity, Diet, Intermittent Fasting, Insulin Resistance

Drawing from his background as a nephrologist and co-founder of The Fasting Method, Dr. Jason Fung challenges conventional weight loss ideas by focusing on insulin and insulin resistance as drivers of obesity. In this book, you learn why calorie counting often fails and how managing hormones through lifestyle changes and intermittent fasting can lead to sustainable weight control. Detailed chapters outline Fung's five steps to regulate insulin and break the cycle of obesity, making complex physiological concepts accessible and actionable. This book suits those frustrated by traditional diets and anyone curious about the hormonal mechanisms behind weight gain.

New York Times Bestseller
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Best for plant-based diet advocates
Colin Campbell, a respected nutrition scientist and co-author of The China Study, brings a critical eye to this program, highlighting the challenge of translating nutrition science into everyday life. He praises how John and Mary McDougall have bridged that gap, making weight loss accessible through sound dietary choices. Campbell’s endorsement reflects his deep experience in obesity research and nutrition, which adds weight to his recommendation. Alongside him, Dean Ornish, known for his work in preventive medicine, calls it "lifesaving information," underscoring the program’s impact beyond mere weight loss to overall health. These expert views make a strong case for anyone looking to rethink their approach to obesity and wellness.

Recommended by Colin Campbell

Professor Emeritus, Cornell University

Scientific understanding of good nutrition is but one step; putting it into practice is quite another. John and Mary McDougall have done both. (from Amazon)

The McDougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss book cover

by John A. McDougall, Mary McDougall··You?

335 pages·Weight Loss, Diet, Obesity, Nutrition Science, Plant-Based Diet

Unlike most obesity books that focus on calorie counting or restrictive diets, this program emphasizes vitality through a plant-based, starch-centered approach crafted by Dr. John McDougall, a physician known for challenging conventional medical narratives. You’ll learn how to lose weight by embracing more than a hundred recipes grounded in up-to-date nutritional science, without the stress of tracking every calorie. The book also explores how dietary changes can enhance mental clarity and self-esteem, not just body weight. If you're seeking a sustainable, health-centered method that goes beyond quick fixes, this program offers a thoughtful alternative worth considering.

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Best for personal weight plans
This AI-created book on obesity management is designed to fit your specific background and goals. By sharing your experience with hormonal, dietary, and lifestyle factors, you receive a book that focuses on what truly matters to you. This tailored approach helps cut through the noise and concentrate on the information you need to manage obesity effectively. It’s a personalized roadmap created just for your unique journey.
2025·50-300 pages·Obesity, Hormonal Balance, Dietary Patterns, Metabolic Health, Lifestyle Habits

This personalized book explores the complex interplay of hormonal, dietary, and lifestyle factors that influence obesity, crafted specifically to match your unique background and interests. It examines how individual variations affect weight management, revealing the science behind metabolic functions and nutritional needs. With tailored insights, it guides you through relevant dietary approaches, hormonal influences, and lifestyle modifications that align with your specific goals. This tailored book emphasizes practical understanding over generic advice, focusing on your personal journey to manage obesity effectively and sustainably. By concentrating on what matters most to you, it offers an engaging and insightful learning experience that bridges expert knowledge with your individual needs.

Tailored Book
Metabolic Insights
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for faith-based wellness seekers
Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, author of Strangers at My Door, brings a profound perspective shaped by his deep engagement with faith and social justice. He highlights how Ragan Sutterfield’s memoir offers a transformative view of the body as a 'recovered body' that teaches and redeems. "Ragan has learned from experience what our best poets have been telling us--that the key to being human in our time is a 'recovered body.'" This reflection reshaped Jonathan’s understanding of spirituality grounded in embodied experience, making it clear why you should consider this book if you seek a faith-centered approach to health. Alongside him, John Wilson notes how the book lifts readers beyond self-preoccupation into a broader spiritual practice, enriching its appeal.

Recommended by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

Author of Strangers at My Door

Ragan has learned from experience what our best poets have been telling us--that the key to being human in our time is a 'recovered body.' That the 'soft animal of your body' will teach you, like the wild geese, if you give it your attention. What Ragan makes so beautifully clear is how Jesus longs to love and redeem us in and through our bodies. This Is My Body is a memoir that threatens to up-end spiritual writing in the 21st century. (from Amazon)

2015·240 pages·Obesity, Ironman, Spirituality, Health, Faith

Drawing from his personal journey and theological insight, Ragan Sutterfield explores the intricate relationship between the body, spirit, and faith in this deeply reflective memoir. You’ll discover how he transitions from struggling with obesity and addiction to completing an Ironman, all while wrestling with cultural and spiritual perceptions of the body. The book offers thoughtful discussions on topics like spiritual disciplines, self-image, and the church’s role in shaping body narratives, making it particularly insightful if you’re interested in how faith intersects with physical health. It’s a candid look at embracing the body as a sacred gift rather than a burden, best suited for those seeking a holistic and faith-informed perspective on wellness.

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Best for bariatric surgery candidates
Jamie Mills, known as The Sleeved Dietitian, has guided thousands through weight loss surgery journeys and knows the challenges firsthand, having undergone the procedure herself. Her award-winning expertise and personal insight shape this book, which fills a crucial gap in support and education for bariatric patients. Mills combines professional knowledge with lived experience to offer clarity on why bariatric surgery is a serious, effective treatment for severe obesity—not an easy way out.
2023·328 pages·Obesity, Weight Loss, Bariatric Surgery, Patient Support, Nutrition

Drawing from her personal experience as a weight loss surgery patient and her professional role as an award-winning registered dietitian, Jamie Mills offers a candid exploration of bariatric surgery in this book. You’ll learn why bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity and why it’s far from an easy fix. The book delves into the realities of surgery, post-op challenges, and the mindset needed to succeed, with insights that challenge common misconceptions about "cheating" in weight loss. If you're considering surgery or supporting someone who is, this book lays out what to expect and how to approach the journey realistically.

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Best for nutritional deficiency insights
Joel D. Wallach is a renowned naturopathic doctor and veterinarian whose extensive research on nutrition and health informs this book. Known for advocating the importance of dietary supplements in preventing chronic diseases, Wallach explores how nutritional deficiencies underpin obesity and related conditions. His background gives him a distinctive voice in addressing the root causes of obesity beyond conventional treatments.
386 pages·Obesity, Nutrition, Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes, Dietary Sugars

Joel D. Wallach brings his unique expertise as a naturopathic doctor and veterinarian to challenge conventional thinking about obesity. This book argues that obesity is not a disease itself but a symptom stemming from nutritional deficiencies. You’ll explore how excessive sugars and carbohydrates drive metabolic issues and how targeted supplementation can reverse these trends. Chapters dissect historical patterns and scientific evidence, offering a nutritional framework to counter obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. If you’re looking for an approach grounded in nutritional science rather than quick fixes, this book offers insights worth considering.

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Best for rapid weight control
This custom AI book on obesity reset is created based on your current metabolism, weight management background, and specific goals. By sharing what aspects of obesity and metabolism you want to focus on, the book is tailored to guide you through a focused, 30-day plan that matches your unique needs. This approach makes complex metabolic concepts understandable and actionable, helping you take clear, practical steps toward weight control. It's designed to fit your particular situation, so your learning is efficient and relevant right from the start.
2025·50-300 pages·Obesity, Obesity Management, Metabolic Health, Nutritional Adjustment, Behavioral Change

This tailored book explores actionable short-term steps designed to jumpstart your journey toward managing obesity with a clear focus on your metabolism and personal goals. It covers essential topics such as metabolic health, nutritional adjustments, and behavioral changes that align with your background and interests. The content examines how your unique physiology interacts with different interventions, providing a pathway that emphasizes rapid, practical progress. This personalized approach ensures that you engage deeply with information relevant to your specific needs, making complex scientific insights accessible and applicable. By focusing on your individual context, the book reveals how to activate sustainable weight control effectively within 30 days.

Tailored Guide
Metabolic Targeting
1,000+ Happy Readers
Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals recovering from compulsive overeating through shared experience, strength, and hope. Their mission to help those struggling with compulsive eating led to this updated edition, offering a clear and inclusive study of their Twelve Step program. This book reflects their unique qualifications and decades of collective experience, making it a key resource for anyone seeking recovery within a supportive community framework.
2018·192 pages·Obesity, Twelve-Step Program, Recovery, Addiction, Spiritual Healing

Overeaters Anonymous, a fellowship rooted in shared experience and hope, created this large-print edition as a refined guide to their Twelve Step recovery program for compulsive overeating. You’ll explore each step and tradition with updated clarity, including a restructured Step Four chapter designed to deepen your personal inventory process. The book offers insight into how members achieve physical, emotional, and spiritual healing by engaging with these principles. If you’re seeking a structured approach to overcoming compulsive eating and craving a program backed by a supportive community, this book provides a focused path without unnecessary complexity.

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Conclusion

This collection highlights diverse angles on obesity—from hormonal science and plant-based diets to faith and surgical treatment. If you’re wrestling with insulin resistance, start with Dr. Fung’s "The Obesity Code" to understand hormonal drivers. For those drawn to dietary shifts, McDougall’s program offers a blueprint for sustainable plant-based changes. Meanwhile, "This Is My Body" invites a deeper spiritual engagement with wellness.

For rapid, practical support, the bariatric insights in "The Easy Way Out" and the structured recovery path in "Overeaters Anonymous" provide grounded approaches to overcoming barriers. "Hell's Kitchen" rounds out the list by exploring nutritional deficiencies often overlooked in obesity discussions.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Obesity book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and reshape your approach to health with trusted knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "The Obesity Code" by Dr. Jason Fung. It explains the hormonal causes of obesity clearly and offers actionable advice that many find eye-opening and practical.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to obesity concepts?

Not at all. Books like "The McDougall Program" and "The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous" provide accessible approaches suited for beginners and those seeking structured support.

Should I read these books in any particular order?

Consider beginning with hormonal or dietary-focused books like "The Obesity Code" or McDougall’s program, then explore memoirs or recovery guides to broaden your perspective.

Do these books focus more on theory or practical application?

They offer a balanced mix. For example, "The Easy Way Out" provides real-world insights on bariatric surgery, while "Hell's Kitchen" delves into nutritional causes with actionable prevention strategies.

Are there any contradictions among these books?

Some approaches differ, such as hormonal management versus plant-based diets or surgery. This diversity reflects the complex nature of obesity and allows you to find what resonates best with your needs.

How can I tailor these expert insights to my unique situation?

Great question! While these books offer valuable knowledge, personalized Obesity books adapt expert advice specifically to your metabolism, lifestyle, and goals. Explore creating your custom Obesity book for targeted strategies.

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