DNF

I was very interested in the science behind obesity and the links to the past. I was looking for a way to address this issue, but found no help except exercising and possibly whole foods with little light shone on outcomes. I was perplexed by a few pages near the end which seemed to rant on Global Warming and energy consumption, but enjoyed it for the science of metabolism anyway.

If you're looking for a book that will give you a magic answer, this ain't it. If you're looking for a book that scientifically explains metabolism and all of the reasons why diet culture is bullshit, then this book may be for you.

Pontzer effectively--and sometimes irreverently--talks about studies done with monkeys and apes and the Hadza tribe.

Later chapters talk about the relationship between exercise and caloric intake and obesity. No magic bullets but an informative, entertaining, and helpful read.

Almost there

Thorough review of the current state of knowledge around energetics and our metabolism but doesn't dive into some of the harder questions that the topic naturally brings up in any substance or even in a way that allows for one to follow up elsewhere on those questions.

Pontzer takes his data, which is well-regarded in the field, and adds the work of other reliable researchers to provide an overview of metabolism and how they are affected by eating habits. Most of this will not be new to those who are familiar with the work of Kevin Hall, Stephan Guyenet, and others. It's a good pop book, although Pontzer's style is overly casual and he uses too many silly analogies.

Really good.

A fascinating read! I'd be tempted to give five stars, but wikipedia in the references is a deadly sin. I hope I can trust the information in this book because I've learned so much!