Dr. Fung vowed to make a real difference to his patients (and profession) by striving to understand the true causes that underlie disease. 

The Obesity Code is written by Jason Fung, MD. He is a Toronto physician specializing in the care of patients with kidney diseases.

I was introduced to The Obesity Code last year after I had lost 30 pounds in three months (and documented it on TikTok). I was concerned about how I was going to keep the weight off after I lost it. 

Fortunately for me, some helpful people on TikTok left me a few comments saying I should follow The Obesity Code.

I had never heard of this book before, so I did some research and really liked what I read. 

It’s written by an actual practicing medical doctor, Jason Fung, who did not like what was going on in his profession, particularly when it came to treating people, or more specifically, their symptoms.

He is of the mind to use preventative measures rather than just treating symptoms.

I happen to be of the same mindset, so I ordered The Obesity Code from Amazon.

As an aside, this book is backed heavily by science (another check in the win column in my opinion). It literally has 33 pages of references at the back of the book. Hell ya!

What does The Obesity Code promise to deliver?

By the end of this book, the reader will understand:

• Exactly the causes of the obesity epidemic
• Why our attempts to prevent both the obesity and diabetes epidemics were bound to fail
• The simple steps for those with a weight problem need to take to reverse their diabetes.

Does The Obesity Code accomplish what it sets out to accomplish?

In my opinion, absolutely.

While this book is written by a medical doctor, it is made for the laymen like me or you.

It is laid out in six parts:

1. The Epidemic: How obesity became an epidemic
2. The Calorie Deception: Decodes some myths regarding calories in our diet
3. The New Model Of Obesity: Why there is so much obesity today
4. The Social Phenomenon of Obesity: How society contributes to the obesity epidemic
5. What’s Wrong with Our Diet: Pretty self-explanatory
6. The Solution: What and when to eat

The Obesity Code also includes a meal plan, fasting guide, and recommended meditation/sleep practices.

If you like comprehensive books based on science and FACT, The Obesity Code will definitely resonate with you. 

Also, if you’re eager to get started (like I was), you can skip to The Solution and start there. Then, go back and read about why you should be doing what you’re doing. 

What makes Jason Fung uniquely qualified to write on this topic?

In treating patients with end-stage kidney disease, Dr. Fung learned two key lessons:

First, that type 2 diabetes is the single commonest cause of kidney failure.

Second, that renal dialysis treats only the final symptoms of an underlying disease that has been present for twenty, thirty, forty, or even fifty years.

He realized that to make a difference to his patients, he would have to start by facing the reality that the medical profession is no longer interested in addressing the causes of disease. Instead, it wastes much of its time and resources treating just the symptoms.

Dr. Fung vowed to make a real difference to his patients (and profession) by striving to understand the true causes that underlie disease.

If you’re a skeptic by nature (like me!) and want to see for yourself what Dr. Fung is made of, check out his two lectures on YouTube: How to Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally, and The Two Big Lies of Type 2 Diabetes.

These two lectures will give a good sense of what Dr. Fung and The Obesity Code are all about.

What is the tone of the book?

The tone of this book is educational and informative. It’s essentially giving a history of why obesity and diabetes are so prevalent in our society, as well as steps to take to either prevent or reverse both diseases.

Dr. Fung wants you to understand the biological causes of obesity and diabetes so that we can treat the actual CAUSES and not just the symptoms.

Overall impression

Dr. Fung is a medical doctor who is fed up treating patients’ symptoms only. He believes that we should get to the root of the problem and PREVENT these life-ending diseases instead.

The Obesity Code is all about educating and ACTION steps to take going forward. The author genuinely wants to help keep people out of the medical system and to live a healthy life, not one in and out of hospitals. 

Keep in mind that he is going against a lot of what his colleagues think/have been taught as well. He took a huge risk in writing this book and in my opinion, proves even more that he has a genuine concern for society’s health and wants to help.

Would I Recommend The Obesity Code?

Yes, absolutely.

If you’re struggling to lose weight, already lost weight, want to be healthier in general, or even to stay out of our overburdened healthcare system, this book is worth a read, in my opinion.

Confession time: I read this book last year after I had lost a bunch of weight ( I have been on and off diets for about 20 years now). I was finally down to my goal weight and decided to NOT follow this book and instead eat copious amounts of cookies and other horrible processed food.

I not only gained all my weight back, in record time I might add, but even more than I lost.

I am only now, over a year later, getting my shit together and actually trying to follow some semblance of a plan to lose weight permanently. 

Rereading this book and starting to implement the steps in my daily life has been a great start. I am not doing it all at once, instead taking small steps towards a healthier living, starting with eliminating sugar from my diet.

That’s right, in December I am sugar (and sweetener) free in the hopes that it will remain a habit that will stick with me forever (at least for the most part).

I do truly believe that The Obesity Code is the key to a longer, healthier life if we just follow it. That’s the hard part. We can study all we want but if we don’t put what we learn into ACTION, then what’s the point?

My plan is to slowly introduce healthier habits one month at a time so I do not get overwhelmed and just give up and revert to my easier, unhealthy habits. 

If you’re struggling with your weight like me and have been dieting for way too long, I urge you to try this book based on science and fact. When followed, I believe it can change your life.

Keep going, keep going, keep going…..

OTHER BOOK REVIEWS YOU MAY LIKE

The Obesity Code

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life

The Science of Getting Rich

As A Man Thinketh