Fat Head Kids: Stuff About Diet and Health I Wish I Knew When I Was Your Age

Overall, this is an excellent book about diet for older elementary school kids or middle schoolers. The material is up to date. It is close to a kids version of Jason Fung’s The Obesity Code or kids version of Ivor Cummins / Jeffry Gerber’s Eat Rich Live Long. The science is all there, it is just presented in an engaging and easy to understand format. The book talks about the history of the Food Pyramid/My Plate and references the 1940’s version of US government dietary guidelines (and why the 1940’s version was better for health). The book uses a great analogy to describe the hormonal model of weight. The limitations of the calories in / calories out are discussed. The book is unique in that it also discusses why some people gain weight easily and other people do not gain weight (with simple genetic descriptions and research behind some of the genetic differences). The book even talks about gut health and the importance of good sleep for weight control. I do have two minor quibbles with the book. 1) There is no discussion of intermittent fasting and why fasting is different than “starvation diets” that reduce calories over a long term. And 2) The section that talks about health benefits is written in a way that sounds like a healthy diet will cure most illnesses (including ADHD). While it may make some symptoms a bit better, this type of diet does not replace medications for all kids (especially the ones that truly have neurological differences that cause ADHD). I wish it did ..... Again, this is a great book overall. It also helps facilitate a discussion about diet with my kids. It makes it easier for my kids to understand why we eat the way we do — and why other families can choose to eat differently, in a way that is better for them. The book is compassionate and funny about diet, weight, and health. I am very glad to have found this book.

I counted (on Amazon) the number of books that I have purchased and read on health, nutrition, genetics etc. 153. Out of all those books, this one does the best job of explaining what is important in an easy and succinct manner. It is now my go to book for giving to people who want to change their health outlook. The movie “FatHead” helped me get started on the right track about 8 years ago and now this book encapsulates a lot of what I would write if I had to sum up what I have learned. It is perfect for its target audience (kids) but also a fabulous primer for adults. There should be a 10 star special category for books such as this one.

If only I had this book when I was an overweight kid!! It explains how insulin resistance starts and how some kids are just programmed differently. They use an excellent spaceship analogy through the book to explain how the body deals with food. Including the strange visit to the Planet of the Preposterous Pyramid from the 1980s until just a few years ago. Very easily explains Leaky Gut and how autoimmune diseases start, as well as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is perfect for adolescents as well as adults that just want an easy way to grasp that "eat less and exercise more" was terrible idea for weight loss. I use these examples in my practice to help out my patients and this is a great resource.

Highly recommend this book for kids who eat REAL FOODS. It explains WHY we get hungry, HOW digestion works in regards to macro and micronutrients, and WHAT and WHY foods make some people gain weight. It even delves into the problem of observational studies and the development of the food pyramid. My son didn't want to read it, so I've been reading it aloud and he's thanked me the past few days for teaching him about nutrition and digestion. Tom Naughton makes it fun and his wife's illustrations really help keep a tween's interest going.

I just finished reading through this book with my 10, 8, and 5 year old. It is laid out in a logical, easy-to-understand order, so each chapter builds on the previous. The explanations and illustrations are interesting and engaging for the children--and for me! This book is a great resource for anyone who wants an accessible, helpful, accurate description of the body chemistry behind weight gain and loss. Buy a copy for your kids. Buy a copy for your doctor. Buy 20 copies for your high school health class! I wish this had been available when I was a kid, or at least when I was teaching public school. My oldest is now planning "protective foods" meals with me.

THE BAD NEWS: Your kid is fat and probably suffering more than you know. THE GOOD NEWS: Fixing the problem is much easier than most people are aware. Nothing has done more damage to the health and waistlines of American children than the low fat craze of the last 40 years. This outstanding book explains what is truly at the root of the childhood obesity epidemic and that is excessive sugar and carbohydrate in the standard American diet. Sugar comes in a lot different forms and works with carbohydrates to drive up insulin levels and lock fat into the fat cells denying the body the use of fat as it's preferred fuel source...... Most importantly, obesity has almost nothing to do with eating less and moving more. In fact, eating less and moving more is not only unsustainable, it often makes the problem worse. Exercise is a great wellness tool but not all that effective for fat loss. Obesity is NOT caused by a character defect. Obesity is caused the chemistry of a diet that is insufficient in protein, fat, vitamins and minerals and far too high in carbohydrate. Also, if your kid is fat, stop the fruit juices and sodas. Even certain fruits are not necessarily their friend. If your kid is fat and you really want to help them. Look into the HFLC (high fat low carb) lifestyle. Tom Naughton's book is a great place to start.

I loved the Fat Head film. Like the film, this book is both entertaining and educational. Not just for kids, but for anyone who might be struggling with weight issues, skinny or over weight, or health issues in general and trying to understand why your typical diet rarely works. Thank You Mr. Naughten for doing this, and also Mrs. Naughten for the illustrations!

How I wish I'd had this book when I was young. I would have saved myself years of fruitless dieting that helped ruin my health. This was a great read for me as an adult because it so clearly shows the effect to various foods and food products have on us. I don't see how they could have done better. Funny, clear and good science. Kudos to the author and artist.

As a kid I always thought fat kids just ate more than others or that they didn't exercise enough. As an adult, I've learned that isn't true. This book explains why in a way kids understand and enjoy. Rather than just telling people what to eat, this book uses the scientific method to analyze the problem of obesity. Many compelling and interesting studies are referred to, and I would have preferred citations for them, but perhaps the author was afraid it would appear too much like a text book if they were there. There are great cartoons and story-telling used to explain the science behind how our body processes food too! My 10 year old loves the book and I am glad he'll have the information he needs to make the right food choices in the future!

I have watch the fat head movie when I was in college and buy the DVD and e-movie. Thanks to this book I understand it more and I can change my lifestyle more and is fit, my way of learning. The book it information about the topic. I enjoy this book and I like reading it again and again. This book information help me to understand more and use it. This book it great for all ages. This book will with sticking to a health life. I get the e-movie as well. Great book. Hope it help and you enjoy this book too😊😁📚📖

This was a 12th birthday present from me for my son and, although he seemed non-plussed about being given a book (obvs. not Fortnite-related!), he got into it really quickly and asks for it for our bedtime read-together each night. I think it's definitely pitched right for his age and he really enjoys that he is getting reasons and explanations that make sense now instead of the usual garbled guidance about 'eat less, move more' that he's still getting from his school.

Tom and Chereva have created something very special and make accessible information that will benefit everyone in every sector of the population.I vote it be distributed to every school in the land and be made available to every child.Bravo Tom! you have given us something of inestimable value.

Very well written exposing complex science in a kid friendly fashion. My grandkids really like it.