Ben Waber reviewed Unshrinking by Kate Manne
A Masterful, If Slightly Scientifically Inaccurate, Exploration of Fatphobia
5 stars
In this book Manne systematically explores the root of fatphobia, its costs to fat people and society more broadly, and approaches for confronting and dismantling it. She convincingly makes the case that discrimination against fat people is an urgent societal problem that demands immediate action, combining philosophical inquiry, scientific review, and case studies to powerful effect. It's also incredibly moving, as Manne integrates her personal story and struggles as a fat person.
My one concern is that for the one scientific claim I fact checked - that bariatric surgery has no demonstrable health benefits - recent meta analyses show that it is incredibly impactful (e.g. academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/20/1955/6542137). It certainly makes some of the points Manne makes in the book less credible, but I would have appreciated an honest accounting. It also makes me wonder about other claims in the book.
That being said, I still think this is an important …
In this book Manne systematically explores the root of fatphobia, its costs to fat people and society more broadly, and approaches for confronting and dismantling it. She convincingly makes the case that discrimination against fat people is an urgent societal problem that demands immediate action, combining philosophical inquiry, scientific review, and case studies to powerful effect. It's also incredibly moving, as Manne integrates her personal story and struggles as a fat person.
My one concern is that for the one scientific claim I fact checked - that bariatric surgery has no demonstrable health benefits - recent meta analyses show that it is incredibly impactful (e.g. academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/20/1955/6542137). It certainly makes some of the points Manne makes in the book less credible, but I would have appreciated an honest accounting. It also makes me wonder about other claims in the book.
That being said, I still think this is an important book that demands to be read. Highly recommend
