RADiUS-TWC | Release Date: May 9, 2014
7.0
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Ratings
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8
ahnehnoisMay 14, 2014
An accessible documentary that chronicles the obesity problem. Footage of children struggling with their weight is intercut with various scientific and political machinations. A variety of interview subjects, including some big names, spiceAn accessible documentary that chronicles the obesity problem. Footage of children struggling with their weight is intercut with various scientific and political machinations. A variety of interview subjects, including some big names, spice things up.

The film's conclusion is essentially that refined carbohydrates are the source of our ills. This matches up pretty well with where the science is on the subject. Foods that spike your blood sugar levels, including, obviously, sugar, but also processed grains of various sorts, cause the hormonal state that leads to obesity, which is why low-fat and various other "healthy" trends have failed to accomplish anything. This is presented intelligibly enough, and some products with sugar that seem healthy to most of us apparently aren't. Even I was surprised at some of the examples that flashed across the screen.

The film downplays the importance of physical activity somewhat; which seems questionable. Despite having Bill Clinton on repeatedly, it doesn't talk much about plant-based diets and instead focuses on the importance of cooking your own food from whole food ingredients rather than getting things that are processed and full of additives. It also focuses heavily on advertising to children and school lunches, concluding that people become addicted to the sugar rush of processed foods before they can make informed decisions, which is likely to antagonize some viewers.

Despite not covering every base, the film ultimately presents an - ahem - digestible narrative that lines up well with the medical experts I know.
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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10
DJMorrisseyJan 7, 2015
Fantastic Fantastic Fantastic. I thought i knew alot about sugar but this movie opened my eyes to the whole 'sugar is the new tobacco'. The movie should be watched by all.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Brent_MarchantMay 28, 2014
A well-researched, thoroughly documented indictment of the food industry and its practice of putting profits before public health, often with the tacit blessing of those in officialdom. Despite some occasional issues with the flow of theA well-researched, thoroughly documented indictment of the food industry and its practice of putting profits before public health, often with the tacit blessing of those in officialdom. Despite some occasional issues with the flow of the material and a tendency toward repetition, the film nevertheless makes its case effectively and intelligently. A must-see for anyone who cares about what they eat. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
johndoe2014May 10, 2014
This movie needs to be seen by everyone. It is very human. And it provides useful science. And it recounts some politics that need to be shown the light of day. And no I do not work for the film makers. I am a former PE teacher who wishes IThis movie needs to be seen by everyone. It is very human. And it provides useful science. And it recounts some politics that need to be shown the light of day. And no I do not work for the film makers. I am a former PE teacher who wishes I could show this to my classes. But I will make sure that this movie gets into schools. Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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9
CorvinJul 5, 2015
A great overview on the basics. Those interested in delving deeper into the history and research should access the many lectures given by Taubes and Lustig for free on Youtube. If you've already studied this issue you'll probably find FedA great overview on the basics. Those interested in delving deeper into the history and research should access the many lectures given by Taubes and Lustig for free on Youtube. If you've already studied this issue you'll probably find Fed Up to be a bit basic, however it's still compelling. It puts a face on the devastation. Very young and desperately unhappy faces. It's heart wrenching when a child is obese because the parents swallow the hype of Lean Hot Pockets and breakfast cereal and worse, they can't afford to feed their children better than they are anyway. The one quibble I have with Fed Up is the claim that healthy food is just as cheap or cheaper than unhealthy food. Simply not true. If you go to the grocery store with $20 for a week you won't be buying fresh meat and produce. You'll be buying bread, Mac and Cheese, and sweets. The comparison Fed Up made was between restaurant food and grocery store food. The real comparison needs to be made between grocery store meat and produce and grocery store processed food. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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