Sameer Gudhate presents the Book Review of The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung

You know those books you pick up thinking, “Oh great, another diet book telling me to eat less and move more”? I thought this would be one of those. I’ve read more health books than I care to admit—some promising magic pills, others swearing by celery juice at 5 a.m. But The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung? This one genuinely surprised me. Dr. Fung, a Canadian nephrologist, shifts the conversation away from calorie math and into the realm of hormones—specifically insulin—and how our modern lifestyle keeps us trapped in a cycle of hunger, frustration, and yo-yo diets.

At its core, The Obesity Code challenges the long-standing belief that weight gain is simply about eating too much and exercising too little. Instead, Fung argues it’s all about hormones—primarily insulin—and how our bodies are biologically wired to resist weight loss. He explains why most diets work for six months and then stop, and introduces intermittent fasting as a sustainable tool (not a punishment) for rebalancing the body. It’s less a “follow this meal plan” kind of book and more of a mindset shift that changes how you view food, hunger, and weight altogether.

Dr. Fung’s tone is direct, clear, and surprisingly engaging for such a science-heavy topic. He uses real-world examples, studies, and historical anecdotes to keep things from feeling like a biology lecture. It’s accessible even if you zoned out during high school science classes. There’s wit, clarity, and structure—no fluff or sugar-coating (pun intended).

The idea that insulin, not willpower, drives obesity was a game-changer for me. Fung argues that we’ve been blaming ourselves for decades, when really, the food industry, bad science, and misguided advice led us down the wrong path. This book doesn’t vilify one diet or another—it acknowledges that many approaches can work, but explains why they stop working over time. That perspective alone makes it worth reading.

Though it’s nonfiction, the structure feels almost narrative. Each chapter builds logically, from debunking myths to explaining hormonal science, and finally offering practical guidelines. It’s not overwhelming; it feels like being guided by a very knowledgeable friend who genuinely wants to help.

At its heart, The Obesity Code is about liberation—freeing ourselves from diet culture, guilt, and the false belief that we’re failures for not losing weight. It also digs into the darker side: how big food and even health institutions have fed us the wrong narrative for decades. If you’ve ever felt “broken” because a diet didn’t work for you, this book will feel like a hug and a slap of truth at the same time.

Reading this felt like turning on a light in a dark room. I remember thinking, Wait—so it’s not just me? That relief is profound. Also, the sections about the “dawn phenomenon” and our body’s natural rhythms blew my mind. It made me rethink breakfast entirely. (Spoiler: it’s not the most important meal of the day.)

One of the book’s biggest strengths is how effortlessly it simplifies complex science—you don’t need a PhD to understand it. Dr. Fung speaks with clarity and empathy, never blaming the reader but instead guiding them through practical, realistic changes like intermittent fasting and smarter food choices. What really stood out to me was the way he unpacks the history behind the dominant “calories in, calories out” model, exposing how deeply flawed and commercially driven that narrative has been all along.

The biggest drawback? There’s almost too much focus on fasting. While time-restricted eating worked well for some (I dropped 10 pounds just skipping breakfast), longer fasts—like 48 or 72 hours—felt unrealistic. Also, the book doesn’t address eating disorders or disordered eating habits, which felt like a big miss, especially given how easily fasting can trigger unhealthy cycles.

I’ve always been curious—maybe even a little skeptical—about diet books. Most of them tend to either oversimplify things or come packed with gimmicks that promise the moon. The Obesity Code was different. What stood out to me was how logical it all felt. It wasn’t about good foods vs. bad foods or about blaming the reader. It laid out how our bodies respond to food and insulin in a way that felt empowering, not overwhelming. I appreciated that Dr. Fung didn’t push a one-size-fits-all solution, but instead offered insights that let me think critically about my own habits. It made me reflect on how much we’ve all been influenced by outdated ideas—and gave me a new way to approach health with more clarity and less confusion.

The Obesity Code isn’t a diet—it’s a revelation. Whether you're looking to lose weight, understand your body better, or simply cut through the noise, this is one of the most empowering health books I’ve read. It’s not perfect, but it’s practical, insightful, and honest.

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