I found this super interesting as it delves into why people are obese and certainly opens up the huge debate on whether advances in science are helping to curb the modern-day obesity problem or simply opening the door for people to eat less and less healthily, thus storing up even more public health challenges for the future.

The book charts the experience of the author’s use of semaglutide to control his weight and along the way looks at a whole host of related topics such as the emotional reasons why people become obese, using their fat to hide deeper issues – often subconsciously. It talks about the relationship with food as a child, the early programming of regulatory sensors that is very difficult to change later in life, the effect of environment and family habits and interactions with food. It also explains how the drug works and the origins of its discovery as well as the side effects and the fact that the effect of appetite depression is very directly linked to the consumption of the drug. As you as one stops, the desire to overeat returns.

Then there are the ethical questions too of how semaglutide is being used by people who perhaps don’t really need it to the real health detriment of those who need it as a life-saving options (the diabetics who were the original market for semaglutide). Our author is not diabetic, but he is obese. Does he have the right to receive his drugs at the expense of a perhaps needier diabetic? It’s a dilemma that he has to tussle with.

What really struck me about this book is that the author didn’t think to change his eating habits for a long time and that seems to be a common attitude of people seeking out these drugs.

Personally, I think that these pills can be helpful in the long term if they are taken as one component of a diet and lifestyle overhaul that focusses on achieving health. But alone, they are not the ‘silver bullet’ that solves obesity.

It’s an excellent and thought provoking read and one that I certainly recommend.

I am obese with a BMI of over 35 and have heard about this new amazing wait loss drug called ozempic/wegovy that could suppress my appetite and be a miracle drug. I am not so naive that I thought there wasn't going to be side effects to taking these drugs, I was really interested to see that someone had written a book about it to weigh up the risk vs benefits.

Johann Hari is an investigative journalist that delves into this miracle drug, why we have become a nation of obesity?, and should we just medicalise the situation or actively try to change our cultural thinking. What I really appreciated was Johann's honesty about his own plight with his relationship with food and weight. He takes ozempic and records how he feels, side effects he is experiencing and reactions from closest friends.
This a really easy to read and accessible, it had me weighing up my options. It also highlighted a few things that I hadn't thought of.
I would definitely read this if you are looking at taking ozempic for weight loss reasons.

I have a friend who has recently started taking Ozempic and so I was really interested in reading Hari's book and finding more about these weight-loss drugs. As with his other books, Hari is excellent at explaining often quite difficult concepts and this book is really well researched and referenced. Hari's humanity and compassion comes across throughout as he relates these drugs and their potential life-changing impact to the plight of his own struggles with weight. His initial scepticism of the drugs' effects is matched by his amazement and appreciation for the results that they deliver. It's a hugely informative and interesting read and I would recommend it to anyone considering taking these drugs.

Eye-wateringly eye-opening! I was interested in the scientific background and current status of research into semaglutide, but I got so much more.
Hari does not only present the science (did you know the substance comes from a poisonous lizard?), the application, side-effects and, of course, main effect of the drug but crucially why we humans now need a weight-loss drug in the first place.
Written with first-hand experience, asking a lot of probing questions to clinical research and food industry and shining a high-powered light onto every aspect of obesity and its treatment, this is a very candid exploration.

I adore Johann Hari and have read all of his previous books. I heard about this book when he was on a podcast that I listen to. I found his interview on the podcast super interesting, and immediately pre-ordered the book! I also listened along to the audio book too.

I found this book sooo interesting!!
I loved hearing about how human's diet and nutrition has changed over the ages. The experiment with the rats and the cheesecake was eye opening and fascinating!
The book has real heart to it too as Hari writes about loosing his best friend to issues related to obesity. It doesn't stick to the weight loss drug theme, but the idea of diet and nutrition and how that differs around the world.
There is just so much to it! I liked the balance between science and Hari's anecdotes about his own life and experiences.

I love that Johann Hari reads the audio book himself too.
I think this would make an excellent book club book, or at least a great book to discuss with like minded friends - so much to think about and debate!

Sped through this... thoroughly recommend!!