Product Description
It seems almost daily we read newspaper articles and watch news reports exposing the growing epidemic of obesity in America. Our government tells us we are experiencing a major health crisis, with sixty percent of Americans classified as overweight, and one in four as obese. But how valid are these claims? In Fat Politics, J. Eric Oliver shows how a handful of doctors, government bureaucrats, and health researchers, with financial backing from the drug and weight-loss industries, have campaigned to create standards that mislead the public. They mislabel more than sixty million Americans as "overweight," inflate the health risks of being fat, and promote the idea that obesity is a killer disease.
In reviewing the scientific evidence, Oliver shows there is little proof that obesity causes so much disease and death or that losing weight is what makes people healthier. Our concern with obesity, he writes, is fueled more by social prejudice, bureaucratic politics, and industry profit than by scientific fact. Misinformation pushes millions of Americans towards dangerous surgeries, crash diets, and harmful diet drugs, while we ignore other, more real health problems. Oliver goes on to examine why it is that Americans despise fatness and explores why, despite this revulsion, we continue to gain weight.
Fat Politics will topple your most basic assumptions about obesity and health. It is essential reading for anyone with a stake in the nation's--or their own--good health. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Don't bother
Two quotes from the last paragraph of Oliver's book sum up his premise:

1)"We have no clear evidence that excess fat is, by itself, harmful for most Americans. Indeed, about the worst thing that comes from being heavy is that it puts great pressure on people's joints and inhibits their ability to exercise."

2)"The best way we can begin to solve the obesity epidemic is not by trying to get everyone to lose weight, but by no longer making weight a subject of official concern." (This is the last sentence of the book.)

In other words, the large number of obese Americans isn't a problem. We should all just quit worrying so much about it and have another slice of pie.

I can agree that excess fat, by itself, may not be doing much damage. However, the fat is a byproduct of a lifestyle that is indeed doing an enormous amount of damage to all of us via increased demands on our health care system. As if an inability to exercise will have no impact on our health!

I disagree with Oliver that it is in our best interests as a nation to remove weight as a subject of official concern. It is affecting all of us, every day, and getting worse with every bite.

Well-researched
As someone who does a lot of reading on this topic, I don't agree with everything in this book. However, I appreciate the amount of research the author did before writing it. The book is informative- just don't let it be your only source of information on obesity as it is definitely biased.

Fat Politics: The Real Story behind America's Obesity Epidemic
Fat Politics: The Real Story behind America's Obesity Epidemic shows you a reality about fat industry who everybody should know, it has beeneasy readable and open your mind to hte true behind obesity. Strong recommended

Fascinating research, weak conclusion
Fat Politics is a gripping read because it highlights how certain oft-repeated mantras about weight can start to achieve the status of "truth" even though there is little empirical backing for these claims.Indeed, what is most disturbing, as Oliver outlines, is how the media replays and fails to really investigate claims that quickly associate weight with ill-health.Oliver also deftly shows how the ideas of what is classified as "overweight" and "obese" are constructed and hence permits us to get away from a kind of "scientism" where we believe anything passed off as fact is indeed so. My only criticism is the book seems to just end and not really conclude or suggest new paths of inquiry.While it certainly seems to be the case that politics, and not careful research, motivates our hysteria about weight, what is the connection between the research on health and weight?He thinks snacking mindless calories is some kind of answer (he uses his cookie-dough in the fridge as an example) and this "conclusion" is weak in comparison with the first part of the book which is compelling and well-researched.In one is interested in more elaborate discussion of weight and science surrounding weight, look at the Obsesity Epidemic which is a drier and less fun read but provides more quality research around just how little we really do know about the connection between weight and health.

Mostly right but
In the opening chapter of this book Oliver shows just how unclear and arbitrary are notions of what it is to be 'fat' or 'overweight'. This will be the first step in making the argument that the present hysteria over the 'overweight epidemic 'in the United States is just that 'hysteria'. He will go on in the book to confute the notion that overweight is the main factor in most major illnesses. He will make a strong argument that vested economic interests, including drug and insurance companies have promoted the 'America is Fat' campaign.
He too will make the case that a more critical health factor than one's weight is one's physical fitness, dependent in good part on the way one exercises.
All of this is in one sense very convincing. And yet there are clear signs and statistical evidence indicating that Americans have in the past ten years alone become considerably heavier. Oliver acknowledges that being very overweight does contribute to arthritis , aching joints, and makes physical activity more difficult. Moreover feeling overweight and feeling pain because of it connect very probably with an increased level of individual depression .
I am not a specialist in any of these areas, but my overall feeling is that while there may be much exaggeration, panicking, idiotic worshipping of thinness, futile and even damaging dieting, there is also a lot of illness and sorrow which comes from being overweight and worrying so much about it.
Oliver is probably right that this is not as massive a problem as it is being made out to be. But I do not think he is right to by and large deny its existence. ... Read more

Product Description
Understanding the complex factors contributing to the growing childhood obesity epidemic is vital not only for the improved health of the world's future generations, but for the healthcare system. The impact of childhood obesity reaches beyond the individual family and into the public arenas of social systems and government policy and programs. Global Perspectives on Childhood Obesity explores these with an approach that considers the current state of childhood obesity around the world as well as future projections, the most highly cited factors contributing to childhood obesity, what it means for the future both for children and society, and suggestions for steps to address and potentially prevent childhood obesity.

Features:

1. This book will cover the multi-faceted factors contributing to the rapidly growing childhood obesity epidemic.

2. The underlying causes and current status of rapidly growing obesity epidemic in children in the global scenario will be discussed.

3. The strategies for childhood obesity prevention and treatment such as physical activity and exercise, personalized nutrition plans and school and community involvement will be presented.



Benefits:

1. A comprehensive and concise book addressing the global epidemic of childhood obesity targeted for nutritionists, dieticians, medical and health professionals, educators and scientists.

2. The strategies for childhood obesity prevention and treatment such as physical activity and exercise, personalized nutrition plans and school and community involvement will be presented.

3. The impact and its consequences of this ongoing epidemic on individual family and community as a whole will be addressed.

... Read more

Product Description
This volume presents criteria for evaluating treatment programs for obesity and explores what these criteria mean--to health care providers, program designers, researchers, and even overweight people seeking help. Discusses information necessary to make wise program choices and evaluations; examines how client demographics and characteristics--including health status, knowledge of weight-loss issues, and attitude toward weight and body image--affect these programs. ... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensive textbook addresses one of the major public health concerns of our era – obesity. Clearly and simply, Obesity: science to practice provides a balanced, coherent account of obesity: how to define and measure it, its epidemiology, the physiological basis, associated diseases, how to assess, manage and treat it, and also strategies for prevention. The book is generously illustrated, including graphs and flow charts for easy reference. The chapters cite key references so that interested readers may pursue a given topic in more detail. Well presented and thoroughly edited by one of the leading experts in the field, this is the textbook of choice for anyone working in obesity. ... Read more

Product Description
The first cognitive-behavioral treatment manual for obesity, this volume presents an innovative therapeutic model currently being evaluated in controlled research at Oxford University. From leading clinical researchers, the approach is specifically designed to overcome a major weakness of existing therapies: posttreatment weight regain. The book details powerful ways to help patients not only to achieve weight loss, but also to modify the problematic cognitions that undermine long-term weight control. Drawing on strategies proven effective with such problems as binge eating, the manual contains everything needed to implement the treatment: intervention guidelines, case examples, and reproducible handouts and forms.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

almost all we need
As a pediatrician involved with the problem of obesity (and finishing my specialization on the issue), I found that this book came as a possible solution to my concerns. It adresses every necessary steps in managing obese patients in a concise form and approaches important questions as body image, traps to avoid, long-term maintenance of weight (the most important point of treatment, emphasized by the authors), etc. All without drugs, which is a differential in this kind of treatment. And thoug the book doesn't mention treatment in pediatric patients, many of their lessons would apply for this age group (or, at least, the adolescents). There's only one weak point: in the beginning of the book, patients are instructed to count calories meticulously (they are even compelled to buy a kitchen scale). Afterwards, they are supposed to "forget the obsession" with the same calories! (almost like teaching a child to ride a bike and then taking it away for her for good). Even so, I think that it's a worthy piece.

A practical book for CBT for obesity problem.
This book is excellent in presenting the CBT program for obesity problem in step-by-step manual style.Such materials are practical and useful for individual or group work. ... Read more

Product Description
Obesity now ranks second only to smoking as a wholly preventable cause of death. It is a major contributor to heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and depression. Even conservative estimates show that 20 per cent of all children are now considered to be overweight - worldwide there are 22 million kids under five years old that are defined as fat. Eating way too much unhealthy food coupled with lifestyles that don't involve a lot of physical activity accounts for a lot of what's making our children heavier. But that's not the whole story. Researchers are at a loss to explain why obesity rates have risen so suddenly and so steeply. "Fed Up!", based in part on the Institute of Medicine's ground-breaking report on childhood obesity, and written by paediatrician and journalist, Susan Okie, provides in-depth background on this issue, shares heart-rending but instructive case studies that illustrate just how serious and widespread the problem is, and gives honest, authoritative, science-based advice that constitute our best weapons in this critical battle. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Very valid statements
I find that the author made very valid statements on the state of our society regarding obesity. The very wordy book had a tendency to seem redundant and offered "what is" but not necessarily "what should be done." I did enjoy the book, found it very informative, and concur with the contents.

Should be required reading for educators
This is a well-written and thoroughly researched book on the epidemic of childhood obesity. The author spends a lot of time on solutions---incorporating exercise in the schools and at home, changing diets and she also discusses (though in less depth) more radical solutions such as surgery and in-patient treatment.

At the end, I had little hope that anything would change in America. Too many studies show great reluctance on the part of parents and schools to make any real, lasting changes.

Extensive look at childhood obesity.
Dr. Susan Okie has done exhaustive research into one of the most pressing medical issues of today - childhood obesity. The 322 page hardcover book explores the issues surrounding this problem that continues to grow.

Obesity not only effects a child's self-esteem but can lead to medical problems; high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and other conditions.

In her book, Okie examines the causes and cures for obesity. Citing both nature and nurture, Okie gives true life examples of what people are doing to combat the problem. With over 22 million children considered to be "fat" in today's society, Okie looks at ways to lower the obesity rate.

This book is a very valuable read for parents, health workers and others to recognize how rampant the problem is and what to do about it. Written in a friendly yet authoritative format Okie, covers a lot of material.

Parents will find it helpful to learn what others have done to help their overweight child become healthier or to help prevent their child from becoming overweight. Health workers will appreciate the vast research Okie has done.

Okie does skip around a little in the book which does interrupt the flow of the book ie in one paragraph she may jump from one idea to the next, but overall the book flows pretty well. She covers alot of ground!

A very good look at childhood obesity one of our nation's most serious problems! ... Read more

Product Description
This issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics examines Women and Obesity. Guest Editor Dr. Raul Artal has assembled a panel of world-class experts who offer reviews on topics including: The Epidemiology of Obesity and Health Economics, Early Life Origins of Obesity, Regulation of Fat Metabolism in Obesity: Gender Differences, Physiological Aspects of Obesity, Pregnancy and Obesity, Exercise Prescription for Overweight and Obese Women: Pregnancy and Post-partum, Post-partum Weight Retention and Rise for Obesity, Obesity and its Relationship to Infertility in Men and Women, Obesity and Sexual Aspects in Women, Maternal and Child Obesity: the Peuetic Link, Minorities and Obesity, and Experimental Research Direction in Obesity. ... Read more

Product Description
Univ. of South Alabama, Mobile. Covers the cardiovascular and pulmonary effects of severe or morbid obesity, and the effect of obesity on cardiac/pulmonary structure, morphology, and function. Halftone illustrations. 9 U.S. contributors. DNLM: Obesity--physiopathology. ... Read more

Product Description
Obesity is a chronic, stigmatized disease that is increasing in prevalance. Therapeutic options are limited in their effectiveness and frustration often leads to the discontinuation of any therapy. An Atlas of Obesity and Weight Control is a clearly written, beautifully illustrated color atlas on obesity, including its etiology, development and treatment. The book contains nearly 150 clinical pictures of obesity and its related conditions, as well as many pertinent clinical guidelines and up-to-the-minute data on assessment and treatment. The main chapters cover assessment and prevalence, how obesity develops and how it becomes a health hazard, classification and clinical types of obesity, evaluation and introduction to treatment, behavior modification, diet, exercise, drug treatment and surgical treatment and provide a timely and much-needed overview of current knowledge and practice in the treatment of obesity. The volume concludes with bibliographic references and an index. Nutritionists, internists, bariatric physicians, dieticians, endocrinologists, and medical and academic professionals will find An Atlas of Obesity and Weight Control is an essential reference. ... Read more

Product Description
Celebrating more than twenty years as the single best source in the field, this Fifth Edition has now expanded into two cornerstone volumes with 53 fully inclusive chapters and 73 renowned contributors that comprehensively address every topic and trend relevant to the identification, diagnosis, and management of endocrine and endocrine-related disorders in children. Substantially revised, the Fifth Edition covers the most up-to-date appraisal of obesity in the pediatric population, as well as examines the latest breakthroughs in the care of diabetes, hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, and hypoglycemic syndromes. This Fifth Edition also devotes chapters to the diseases of the endocrine glands, including disorders of growth, the adrenal cortex and medulla, as well as sexual differentiation, thyroid, and parathyroid conditions and fluid balance diseases. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Peditatric Endocrinology Set ( Volume I & Volume II)
Althought this title is found when searching "pediatric endocrinology", the search fails to provide the information regarding Volume II and the Set information.
ISBN:142004270X is Pediatric Endocrinology Volume II
ISBN:1420042718 is Pediatric Endocrinology Set ( Volume I & Volume II) ... Read more

Product Description
With the rising rate of childhood obesity, there is a critical need for a "how-to" book for pediatric primary care providers that addresses the behavioral aspects of nutrition-related disorders. This practical, user-friendly resource will provide health care professionals with evidence-based guidance on obesity prevention, intervention, and treatment. ... Read more

Product Description

This book empowers the physician to effectively care for a chronic recurrent disease that until now has often gone untreated in the primary care setting. Most obesity treatment texts are written by obesity experts without family practice experience. This disconnect has resulted in books that have little feasible application for family physicians. Dr. McKnight’s text takes the current evidence-based science and transforms treating obesity into a practical, time-sensitive process that is supported by logical recommendations that every family physician can use to help obese patients.

With guidelines backed by the best scientific data, the book is about application, not just theory. The reader is given the commonsense tools that patients need in order to have ownership of their disease. Ultimately, patients are empowered to control their weight, resulting in positive interaction between providers and patients.

Customer Reviews (2)

bad internet links
I found Dr Mcknights book refreshing, easy to read and full of useful ideas. Unfortunatly when I went to his website to download his work book the site no longer existed.

Weight Management For MD's to Pts.
Excellent.
Perfect for the clinician and educated patient.
Few, if any, physicians are double-boarded in preventive medicine and family practice.Thus, even fewer, are qualified to write on such a vital, and relevant national health topic.
GH ... Read more

Product Description
Twentieth century Europe went through a dramatic transition from low income populations experiencing hunger and nutritionally inadequate diets, to the recent era of over-consumption and growing numbers of overweight and obese people. By examining the trends in food history from case studies across Europe, this book offers a historical context to explain how and why this transition has occurred and what we can learn in order to try and address the vitally important issues arising from obesity in contemporary Europe. ... Read more

Product Description
Obesity is now the most common risk factor in pregnancy. Of all pregnant women 10 - 20per cent are obese and 1 per cent are morbidly obese. Both primiparous and multiparous women are increasingly affected by obesity: primiparae because of the rising prevalence of juvenile obesity, multiparae because of inadequate postnatal weight reduction. Pre-conception advice and interventions to minimise maternal and foetal complications of obesity in pregnancy are of vital importance but until now are often sadly inadequate. Obesity associated complications of pregnancy, particularly gestational diabetes, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and thromboembolism put mother and child at risk. Furthermore, maternal obesity can lead to neonatal macrosomia. Therefore, the Caesarean section rate is high in obese women and vaginal delivery is more often associated with complications of delivery such as shoulder dystocia. Fetal programming during pregnancy is implicated in the development of obesity and the metabolic syndrome in the offspring. This way obesity is passed on from one generation to the next.In order to stop this vicious cycle of obesity, the primary prevention of the obesity epidemic that has taken hold of the Western world has to start in pregnancy. A range of topical issues is discussed in this book including the scientific background behind obesity and pregnancy, complications of pregnancy in the obese, and obstetric care for obese women. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good book - little known facts about obesity.If you are fat read it.
Good book - little known facts about obesity.If you are fat read it. ... Read more

Product Description
Edited by world-renowned bariatric surgeons, this comprehensive reference provides a clear overview of multidisciplinary approaches to bariatric surgery and clearly details the techniques and outcomes of commonly performed bariatric operations, potential complications associated with bariatric surgery, and practices in long-term follow-up and nutritional management. ... Read more