'You: On a Diet' -- Experts Speak Out

Jan. 12, 2007 — -- In their best-selling book, "You: On a Diet," Drs. Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen approach weight loss from a scientific perspective.

In short, they say that if dieters can understand how the body processes and stores fat, they will be better able to identify why they gain weight -- and take steps to control these factors.

But how do the experts view this new offering?

Dr. Dean Ornish
Clinical professor of medicine
University of California, San Francisco
Sausalito, Calif.

"'You: On a Diet' is a wonderful book -- science-based yet entertaining. It takes a thoughtful, comprehensive approach rather than focusing only on food. I've known Drs. Oz and Roizen for many years; they are highly respected in the academic world and also gifted communicators and health educators for the general public. They bring together the best of all weight-loss approaches and give it their own unique perspective."

Dr. Dan Bessesen
Associate professor of medicine
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Denver, Colo.

"This is a very interesting book, not so much because of the content, but what it demonstrates about what has happened to the 'diet book' as a format. I think this book is troubling because it may well be a marketing tool from a number of drug companies and food companies 'disguised' as a diet book."

Dr. Jana Klauer
Physician
Author, "How the Rich Get Thin"
New York, N.Y.

"The Oz-Roizen team is a winner; their advice is medically sound (as would be expected) and understandable to the general public. The importance of this weight loss plan is that Drs. Oz and Roizen primarily focus on waist size. Waist size is the single best predictor of the most dangerous fat -- fat around the middle -- and they simply and clearly explain how this hurts internal organs."

Dr. Fred Pescatore
Physician
Author, "The Hamptons Diet"
New York, N.Y.

"The only reason that book is the No. 1 best seller is because it speaks to you like you are a child and Oprah tells you to buy it. There is no new medical information or weight loss information in this book."