Rating: 
Summary: A great read
Review: As I read this book, I just kept thinking "Wish I'd said that!" My heart breaks for the population most exploited by the diet industry: women who may be 20-40 lbs "overweight". I also feel for those people who spend their brain power, emotions and money on weight loss efforts, even though their "excess weight" may not be compromising their health. The author has a very readable writing style, and, thank God, a wonderful sense of humor. If you're toying with the idea of being a social radical and not dieting anymore, read this book!
Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: As I read this book, I just kept thinking "Wish I'd said that!" My heart breaks for the population most exploited by the diet industry: women who may be 20-40 lbs "overweight". I also feel for those people who spend their brain power, emotions and money on weight loss efforts, even though their "excess weight" may not be compromising their health. The author has a very readable writing style, and, thank God, a wonderful sense of humor. If you're toying with the idea of being a social radical and not dieting anymore, read this book!
Rating:
Summary: Freedom from Guilt!
Review: Fraser traces the history of what's been considered acceptable weight (surprise, it hasn't always been the Kate Moss figure), as well as debunking all those "diet gurus" out there. Goodbye Richard Simmons, Weight Watchers and Susan Powter! She presents all the negatives associated with gastic bypass (not only do they fail, but they bring about huge health problems). Finally, she offers guidelines on how to live DIET FREE! Yes, she actually promotes how to just eat normally (who's have thought?). BUY THIS BOOK, you will not regret it!
Rating: 
Summary: Not necessarily a 'manifesto' for fat acceptance...
Review: I have recommended this book (along with Michael Fumento's excellent "The Fat of The Land") to so many people - mostly women who, much like myself, have dieted all their lives, spent unknown amounts of money trying to find that magic way to lose weight for good and all - only to wind up failing and blaming themselves, rather than the overly-restrictive programs that they just could not follow.Laura Fraser does some hard-hitting research and goes undercover at Jenny Craig, franchised "diet doctors", Overcoming Overeating, etc. She interviewed survivors of weight-loss surgery, leading nutritionists, scientists, and medical experts and even Susan Powter & Richard Simmons to get a perspective of the multi-billion dollar diet industry - a giant pot that so many of us toss our money into, yet usually receive poor long-term results. She wraps this research with her own experiences (which in many ways mirror my own childhood) as a chubby kid whose parents had her constantly on diets which were doomed to failure. However - nowhere in the book does Ms. Fraser say that it is UNHEALTHY to lose weight - in fact, the paperback edition of the book is distinctly different from the first hardcover edition, giving tips on "eating like an Italian" (she makes a great many comparisions to the way Americans eat vs. the way her Italian friends eat - Michael Fumento's book also observes the differences in eating habits and size portions of the US vs. Europeans) and including exercise into your day. From what I read, I gather that Ms. Fraser is around 5'6"-5'8" tall and weighs between 150-160 pounds - which, to me, doesn't sound especially overweight (I myself am 5'4" tall, currently 152 and wear size 8 DKNY jeans) so I don't think I'd call her an advocate of fat acceptance. If anyone is considering spending money on a 'diet program' I'd highly recommend picking up a copy of both this and the Fumento book before laying down your hard-earned $$ at Jenny Craig, Herbalife, or even Weight Watchers. Good Luck!
Rating:
Summary: Not necessarily a 'manifesto' for fat acceptance...
Review: I have recommended this book (along with Michael Fumento's excellent "The Fat of The Land") to so many people - mostly women who, much like myself, have dieted all their lives, spent unknown amounts of money trying to find that magic way to lose weight for good and all - only to wind up failing and blaming themselves, rather than the overly-restrictive programs that they just could not follow. Laura Fraser does some hard-hitting research and goes undercover at Jenny Craig, franchised "diet doctors", Overcoming Overeating, etc. She interviewed survivors of weight-loss surgery, leading nutritionists, scientists, and medical experts and even Susan Powter & Richard Simmons to get a perspective of the multi-billion dollar diet industry - a giant pot that so many of us toss our money into, yet usually receive poor long-term results. She wraps this research with her own experiences (which in many ways mirror my own childhood) as a chubby kid whose parents had her constantly on diets which were doomed to failure. However - nowhere in the book does Ms. Fraser say that it is UNHEALTHY to lose weight - in fact, the paperback edition of the book is distinctly different from the first hardcover edition, giving tips on "eating like an Italian" (she makes a great many comparisions to the way Americans eat vs. the way her Italian friends eat - Michael Fumento's book also observes the differences in eating habits and size portions of the US vs. Europeans) and including exercise into your day. From what I read, I gather that Ms. Fraser is around 5'6"-5'8" tall and weighs between 150-160 pounds - which, to me, doesn't sound especially overweight (I myself am 5'4" tall, currently 152 and wear size 8 DKNY jeans) so I don't think I'd call her an advocate of fat acceptance. If anyone is considering spending money on a 'diet program' I'd highly recommend picking up a copy of both this and the Fumento book before laying down your hard-earned $$ at Jenny Craig, Herbalife, or even Weight Watchers. Good Luck!
Rating: 
Summary: Factually Incorrect
Review: I have yet to finish reading this book; however I was incensed when I came across a glearing inaccuracy on page 101. This says tons against this 'writer' who obviously did NOT do her homework when writing this book.
It is very hard to find credibility in a book which lacks a factual background. Further -
Calling Paul Raford a '..public health specialist.." is like calling your family doctor a public health specialist. Dr Raford had written nothing on diet pills before the Wyden hearings. His critique was seriously flawed and poorly written. Incidentally aspirin has far more adverse effects and overdoses per doses consumed than diet pills ever have. Ms Fraser implies that all overdoses were from PPA. Far from it. A lot more attention should have been paid to products like ephedra way back then! Sure the diet industry is not perfect. I am horrified at how the public accepts new diets that come on the market; but I am also disappointed with writers who go to the trouble to write a book yet make little effort to check their facts.
Rating:
Summary: Factually Incorrect
Review: I have yet to finish reading this book; however I was incensed when I came across a glearing inaccuracy on page 101. This says tons against this 'writer' who obviously did NOT do her homework when writing this book.
It is very hard to find credibility in a book which lacks a factual background. Further -
Calling Paul Raford a '..public health specialist.." is like calling your family doctor a public health specialist. Dr Raford had written nothing on diet pills before the Wyden hearings. His critique was seriously flawed and poorly written. Incidentally aspirin has far more adverse effects and overdoses per doses consumed than diet pills ever have. Ms Fraser implies that all overdoses were from PPA. Far from it. A lot more attention should have been paid to products like ephedra way back then! Sure the diet industry is not perfect. I am horrified at how the public accepts new diets that come on the market; but I am also disappointed with writers who go to the trouble to write a book yet make little effort to check their facts.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent read for anybody
Review: LOSING IT is simply a *must read* by anyone and everyone who has dieted or contemplated going on a diet. Fraser does all her homework, exposing the realities behind obesity research and the (financial) connections between the research and the diet industry. She also exposes the researchers and doctors who hide behind apparant "research objectivity" when in fact they are receiving funds for their research, either in grants, consultant fees, or stock options, from the diet corporations who obviously have interests in seeing only results that will support their industry and help make them money. The truth is that the diet industry is just as misleading and manipulative as the tobacco industry. One reviewer complained that Fraser did not do "all" of her homework because she condemns all diets, and insinuates that the infamous low-carb diet may actually be healthy (I have yet to meet a dietician who will support that claim). Fraser condemns all weight-loss diets simply because none--NOT ONE--have proven effective for more than 5-10% of the people who've tried them. She also exposes the lie that Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers actually cares about their patients' health and success. The truth is, ***weight loss programs are out there to make money, and know very well that most of their customers are repeat.... If you are looking for a book that will give you sage advice on how to eat healthy and live a healthy life, this book is not purporting to do that in any way, so you will be disappointed. However, no matter where you are in your weight-loss desires, you absolutely *MUST* read this book before wasting yet more money on a lucrative industry designed to make people hate their bodies so they can make billions.
Rating:
Summary: Just Finished Losing It
Review: The book goes behind the closed doors of the diet industry and reveals what's really going on in the world of dieting. This book really is a wake-up call to all those who have fallen into the American diet trap. I was astonished at some of the tricks and gimmicks used by the diet industry! The book even gives some steps to becoming a healthy eater by relying on yourself, rather than following someone else's diet.
Rating:
Summary: The Truth
Review: This book is great for anyone who has ever been on a diet, had an eating disorder, or had any type of problem with their weight. It uncovers the truth about America's diet scams. Full of information!
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