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  • Brief Reviews of Current Books on Nutrition, the Pharmaceutical Industry, and Poverty
  • Sharon L. Peterson, PhD, RD (bio), Lindsey Millar, BS (bio), Alyssa Rider, BS (bio), Cassidy Scoggins, BS (bio), Genie Schropp, BS (bio), Ken Byrne, BS (bio), Lynn Cordes, BS (bio), Sarah Sheffer, BS (bio), and Joanna Friese, BS (bio)
In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. Michael Pollan. The Penguin Press HC, 2008. 256 pp.
The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health. T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II. BenBella Books, Inc., 2005. 417 pp., illus.
Appetite for Profit: How the Food Industry Undermines Our Health and How to Fight Back. Michele Simon. Nation Books, 2006. 416 pp.
Selling Sickness: How the World’s Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies Are Turning Us All into Patients. Ray Moynahan and Alan Cassels. Nation Books, 2005. 352 pp.
One Nation, Underprivileged: Why American Poverty Affects Us All. Mark Robert Rank. Oxford University Press, USA, 2004. 368 pp., illus.
The Working Poor: Invisible in America. David K. Shipler. Alfred A. Knopf, 2004. 336 pp.
Flat Broke with Children: Women in the Age of Welfare Reform. Sharon Hays. Oxford University Press, USA, 2004. 304 pp.
Nickel and Dimed: on (Not) Getting by in America. Barbara Ehrenreich. Holt Paperbacks, reprint edition 2008, original 2001. 240 pp.

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. Michael Pollan. The Penguin Press HC, 2008. 256 pp.

Key concepts: (1) Rise of Nutritionism and how it changed the way we study, grow, purchase, and consume nutrients instead of whole foods. (2) Evolution of the Western diet and its relationship to today’s chronic diseases. (3) Rules to live by to avoid the Western diet. Strengths: Overview of difficulties with conducting human nutrition research, suggests whole foods instead of nutrients, and encourages use of farmer’s markets. Weaknesses: “Pay more and eat less” may not be realistic for low-income groups, college students, or those who live alone. Recommended for health professionals. [End Page 587]

The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health. T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II. BenBella Books, Inc., 2005. 417 pp., illus.

Key concepts: Diets high in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are encouraged while animal-based protein (meat, eggs, dairy) is strongly discouraged. Strengths: Easy to read. Presents much research on vegetarian/vegan diets over many years, discusses politics of science, industry and government and authors follow their own eating recommendations. Weaknesses: No examples of meal plans. Strongly biased toward the vegan diet. Makes the vegan diet seem easy to follow. Recommended for consumers, health professionals, researchers, and those interested in nutrition and research.

Appetite for Profit: How the Food Industry Undermines Our Health and How to Fight Back. Michele Simon. Nation Books, 2006. 416 pp.

Key concepts: How the food industry undermines our health and how to fight back. Describes lobbyists, front groups, and other organizations that support Big Food. Strengths: Easy to read, includes many references and glossary of terms. Author went undercover and witnessed what food companies say behind closed doors about the national health crisis. Weaknesses: The author’s perspective is that of a public health attorney, so there is some bias. Recommended for health professionals and consumers.

Selling Sickness: How the World’s Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies Are Turning Us All into Patients. Ray Moynahan and Alan Cassels. Nation Books, 2005. 352 pp.

Key concepts: (1) Pharmaceutical companies have a lot of influence over the Food and Drug Administration and physicians. (2) Researchers and doctors who push the medications often are funded by the companies who make the medications. (3) The rich well are being treated instead of the poor sick. Strengths: Easy to read. Gives many examples of how a disorder is made into an “epidemic.” Weaknesses: Very one-sided presentation, and doesn’t mention the benefits of medications for some people. Recommended for consumer and health professionals who are interested in the pharmaceutical industry’s role in modern health care.

One Nation, Underprivileged: Why American Poverty Affects Us All. Mark Robert...

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