Review of Fat Head (2009) by Disisan A — 17 Mar 2014

Fat head is an independently funded documentary by Tom Naughton. This documentary is thought to dispense the false truths perpetuated in documentaries such as 'Super Size Me' by Morgan Spurlock. If Morgan gained weight by fast food, Tom loses weight by fast food diet. Watching this film might make people think 'Fat Head' is just created to disprove 'Super Size Me' but I believe it was only half of it.

This documentary contained more information than 'Super Size Me'. If 'Super Size Me' was influenced by too much opinion and the intent was to make money, 'Fat Head' was more on present information. Not only information but well done animation included in the film was amusing (frankly I found Ton's comments and jokes funnier than Morgan's). The film was very sarcastic.

Tom claims that human are naturally feeded with animal fat, not vegetable oil, adding the subject metabolism in it (how it evolved). Tom believes it's the carbohydrates and sugar that makes you fat not the meat or protein. I loved the part where he shows animation on the difference between High Density Lipids(HDL) and Low Density Lipids(LDL). Many people have misconception that all cholesterols are bad but by introducing the role of HDL preventing plaque forming inside the blood vessels (preventing blockage in artery) gave a clear understanding on cholesterols. Tom's 30 days diet of animal fat (no carbohydrate) did prove to increase HDL, proving carbohydrate is the cause of obesity, so basically IT'S NOT HOW MUCH YOU EAT, BUT WHAT YOU EAT.

Don't misunderstand. Tom is not trying to defend those fast foods out there that they are okay to eat, but he is trying to say it's our own choice that determine how healthy we will be. Tom showed actual data and gave historical points within the documentary (can be researchable). Like Morgan gained weight, Tom lost weight (I believe losing weight is much harder than gaining one). Tom also shared his idea on children nowadays taking school bus when they can walk, causing children to be more obese, trying to encourage kids to walk.

This documentary clarifies the miss conceptions of eating fast food in an understandable way. You just need a functioning brain. Speakers in the documentary do gives point and scientifically proven facts to make people easily understand (does make the documentary slightly boring as it starts to preach on how fat is stored together with Lipid Hypothesis).

For a very low budget documentary, this satisfied me the best from all documentaries I have watched so far. Ideas and concept are arranged well in the film that grasps audience's attention. People can learn to stay healthy by exercising, reducing carbohydrate and consuming enough calories. One very engaging documentary!