Below are some of the scientists that Anthony cites and consults in the book. Gareth Leng, Professor of Endocrinology at The University of EdinburghWent to great lengths to help me understand how hormones control our body weight and importantly, the profound implications of this. Our conversations, along with his lectures, set the direction for much of the book, and transformed my understanding of the subject.https://www.ed.ac.uk/discovery-brain-sciences/our-staff/research-groups/gareth-leng Jeffrey M. Friedman Led the team that discovered the hormone leptin, which was one of the greatest leaps forward in our understanding of how the body controls the amount of fat it storage.
More than that, he is passionate about communicating the significance of this understanding, and in building acceptance of weight diversity.https://www.rockefeller.edu/our-scientists/heads-of-laboratories/1163-jeffrey-m-friedman/ Kevin Hall, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive Health and Kidney DiseasesHas designed and carried out some truly ground-breaking experiments and added much needed scientific rigour to the field of obesity research. Happiest when challenging people''s deeply held assumptions. His work is some of the most important and controversial in the field, and his insights are truly valuable. https://www.niddk.
nih.gov/about-niddk/staff-directory/intramural/kevin-hall/Pages/research-summary.aspx Traci Mann (I corresponded with Traci via email, but did not quote her directly). A psychology professor who is not afraid to challenge the consensus on diet, health and obesity. Has performed some important systematic reviews on the effectiveness of dieting, and courted controversy by publically challenging its effectiveness. http://www.secretsfromtheeatinglab.com/bio/ Katherine Flegal (again, just cites)Never spoke to her, all quotes are from interviews.
A hugely important figure in the world of epidemiology, and a Government employee, so not conflicted by any industry funding or influence. A bit of a hero of mine, who has desperately tried to communicate the reality of the numbers without making any value judgements.https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Katherine_Flegal Eric RobinsonPsychology professor at Liverpool University who is passionate about bringing to light the negative effects of weight stigma. We disagree about many things, but probably agree about more. Doesn''t like small plates. https://www.
liverpool.ac.uk/psychology-health-and-society/staff/eric-robinson/ Dr Ashleigh HaynesHer research into the effect of weight perception is fascinating and challenges many of our deeply held assumptions. https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/psychology-health-and-society/staff/ashleigh-haynes/ Susan Jebb, Professor of Diet and Population Health at the University of OxfordPerhaps the most important figure in UK obesity research and policy development. We do not always agree, but she is curious, likes to be challenged and is motivated by a desire to help people.
Her acknowledgement of the serious issues surrounding weight stigma is extremely important, and many in policy development should take note. She is a former winner of the Maddox Price from Sense About Science, after being on the receiving end of a great deal of abuse and false accusation. I have nothing but admiration for how she dealt with this.https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/team/susan-jebb Nicola Ludlam-RaineA dedicated and compassionate dietitian, included as a proud representative for her important profession.
Runs weight management classes with some of the UK''s most challenging patients, helping to improve the health of many people.https://nicsnutrition.com/about-me/ Doctor Giles Yeo is a Principal Research Associate at the University of CambridgeA great researcher and truly gifted science communicator. Few people have helped me develop my understanding of obesity more, both in terms of specific insights and general thoughts. Funnier than me, smarter than me, and more credible than me, I should probably hate him. But in reality, I don''t think that is possible.https://www.neuroscience.
cam.ac.uk/directory/profile.php?gshy2 Richard Mattes is Professor of Nutrition Science at Perdue UniversityA truly important and influential nutrition researcher, and someone who communicates the scale and complexity of the problem with great eloquence. His research asks some of the most interesting questions in science and he has influenced much over his long career.https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/nutr/directory/faculty/mattes_richard.
html Doctor Deb Burgard is a psychologist based in CaliforniaOne of the founders of the Health at Every Size movement. Fiercely intelligent and deeply passionate about social justice, she presents agreements for HAES in a clear and logical way. She was key in helping persuade me that weight stigma is a social justice issue. If you starve a Mastiff, it does not turn into a Greyhound.https://sizediversityandhealth.org/haes-expert.asp?id=56 Robert LustigNot someone I would have spoken to. I do not imagine he would agree with my opinions on carbohydrates.
A serious scientist, but seems to have moved from science to ideology.http://www.robertlustig.com/ Sven SchubertPatient advocate with a profound insight into obesity based on his personal experience, and on the benefits and limitations of bariatric surgery. http://easo.org/patient-council-spotlight-sven-schubert/ Ulrike Schmidt Professor of Eating DisordersClear, informed and compassionate on the links between obesity and eating disorders. Provided me with perhaps the most shocking statistic in the book, regarding Binge Eating Disorder and severe cases of obesity. https://www.
kcl.ac.uk/hr/diversity/meettheprofessors/ioppn/schmidt.aspx Susie OrbachA legend, and the one person I felt genuinely nervous when speaking to (she is quite intimidating). Her insights into the diet industry and the judgemental language around food has influenced so many of the people I spoke to, and were light years ahead of their time. One of her quotes perhaps gives my book its most surprising moment. https://www.bpc.
org.uk/find-a-therapist/therapist/6025 Laura ThomasA true advocate of evidence based practise, Laura is one of the most important young voices in food and nutrition. He advocacy of Intuitive Eating approaches is helping this area gain legitimacy, giving it a smart and intelligent new voice.http://www.laurathomasphd.co.uk/about/ Christy HarrisonA great advocate of Intuitive Eating, with huge insight into helping develop this approach in practise. https://christyharrison.
com/about/ Professor Terry Huang is Director of the Center for Systems and Community Design at the City University of New YorkA powerful and important figure in the development of whole systems approaches to obesity. Someone with genuinely innovative ideas and a truly unique outlook.http://sph.cuny.edu/people/terryhuang/ Doctor David Nunan is a Senior Research Fellow at Oxford UniversityFew people are more passionate and realistic about evidence based practise that David. When it comes to exercise, his work on developing evidence based guidelines is extremely valuable. He is the first to call out anyone misusing or distorting evidence, something that gives people like me sleepless nights.https://www.
phc.ox.ac.uk/team/david-nunan Phillipe VandenbroeckAn important systems thinker, he led the team that developed the Foresight map for the UK Government. Although much misunderstood, the map has proved an important tool in communicating the complexity of obesity.https://about.me/pvandenbroeck Professor Diane Finegood leads a group at Simon Fraser University in CanadaA hugely important figure in systems science and complexity, every conversation with Diane resulted in me learning a huge amount, and seeing the world differently. Whole systems approaches have the potential to shape our future world, and it will be people like Professor Finegood at the forefront of this.
https://www.sfu.ca/bpk/people/faculty_directory/finegood.html Stuart Flint, Leeds Beckett Universiaty. I did speak to Stuart, and quote directly from a conversation with him. Stuart is a hugely important voice in the fight against obesity stigma, and has gathered some of the most compelling and shocking evidence to support his case. http://www.leedsbeckett.
ac.uk/staff/dr-stuart-flint/.