This Book Review of “The End of Overeating” by David A Kessler will Help You in Your Weight Loss Efforts

The End of Overeating: Hope for Those Controlled by Food

The End of Overeating, by David A. Kessler, is a timely and insightful book. The author is a medical doctor whose stated goal is to help “Conditioned Hypereaters” understand what is happening to them and understand how they can bring their food choices back under control.

Dr. Kessler’s book is a must-read for anyone interested in how certain foods affect the brain, how the food industry operates, or simply could use a little help in resisting the siren song of the food court or cookie jar.

Overview of the Book’s Structure

The End of Overeating is divided into six sections. The first section explains the ability of highly palatable foods, (foods containing large amounts of sugar, fat and salt,) to encourage overeating by explaining how such foods affect the physical chemistry of the brain. The second section explains how the food industry uses fat, sugar, and salt to create irresistible products, thus generating large profits for themselves at the cost of their customers’ health.

Section Three describes the phenomena of “Conditioned Hypereating”. Here, Dr Kessler explains what conditioned hypereating is, how it develops, why it is dangerous, and how it differs from a simple lack of willpower. Sections Four and Five explain Dr Kessler’s beliefs about how conditioned hypereating can be treated and provide specific, practical steps that those afflicted with conditioned hypereating can take to break the power of food over their lives.

Section Six is a short conclusion, in which Dr. Kessler expresses his belief that even if the human brain is wired to like sugar, fat, and salt, and even if the food industry has millions of dollars to spend on manipulating consumer desires, human beings are not helpless against food.

Evaluation of the Book

Dr. Kessler’s writing style, tone, and message all make The End of Overeating a must read. Even though Dr. Kessler has some impressive medical credentials (his resume includes serving as commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration as well as working as Dean of Yale Medical School), his book is written in clear, everyday language and is easy for the layperson to understand.

Dr. Kessler’s tone is reasonable and compassionate. Even though he spends a good part of his book describing illogical behavior and discussing the tactics of an industry that values money over human lives, he never succumbs to mockery of the overweight or bitterness toward food producers.

Finally, Dr. Kessler’s book has a solid message. Though he does not excuse the food industry for its role in the obesity epidemic, he maintains the belief that individuals are ultimately responsible for what they put in their mouths. His advice for conditioned hypereaters is practical, does not raise any of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) “red flags of bogus weight loss programs” (FTC, 2003), and can be implemented immediately. No specialty products, programs, or treatment is required, simply a desire to regain control and eat in a sensible, sustainable manner.

For these reasons, The End of Overeating is highly recommended reading for those interested in understanding the biology of overeating, the tactics of the food industry, or how to end overeating in their own lives.

References

Federal Trade Commission. (2003). Red Flag Bogus Weight Loss Claims: A Reference Guide for Media on Bogus Weight Loss Claim Detection. [Brochure] . Retrieved 25 May, 2010 from https://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/adv/bus60.pdf

Kessler, D. (MD). (2009). The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite_._ New York, NY: Roadale.