Product Description
Thinking in Circles About Obesity has been “Highly Commended” in the “Popular Medicine” category of the 2010 BMA Book Awards.

Low-carb…low-fat…high-protein…high-fiber…Americans are food-savvy, label-conscious, calorie-aware—and still gaining weight in spite of all their good intentions. Worse still, today’s children run the risk of a shorter life expectancy than their parents.

Thinking in Circles About Obesity brings a healthy portion of critical thinking, spiced with on-target humor and lively graphics, to the obesity debate. Systems scholar Tarek Hamid proposes that a major shift in perspective is needed to address the problem. This book unites systems (non-linear) thinking and information technology to provide powerful insights and practical strategies for managing our bodies, as well as our health. Applying these creative, business-tested techniques to personal health lets readers approach weight problems like CEOs—not bean-counters!—and connect the elusive links between the biological, environmental, social, and psychological factors that contribute to overweight and obesity, yo-yo dieting and willpower issues. The author’s clear insights dispel dieters’ unrealistic expectations and illuminate dead-end behaviors to tap into a deeper understanding of how the body works, why it works that way, and how to improve the bottom line. For optimum results, he includes innovative tools for:

• Understanding why diets almost always fall short of our expectations.
• Assessing weight gain, loss, and goals with greater accuracy.
• Abandoning one-size-fits-all solutions in lieu of personal solutions that do fit.
• Replacing outmoded linear thinking with feedback systems thinking.
• Getting the most health benefits from information technology.
• Making behavior and physiology work in sync instead of in opposition.

Given the current level of the weight crisis, the ideas in Thinking in Circles About Obesity have much to offer the clinical or health psychologist, the primary care physician, the public health professional the parent and the lay reader. For those struggling with overweight, this book charts a new path in health decision-making, to see beyond calorie charts, Body Mass Indexes, and silver bullets.

Customer Reviews (4)

A must complement to other weight-loss self-help books
This is an excellent book to read and to "complement" whatever one's favorite weight-loss guide might be. I wish I read it first, for it would have made me a more intelligent "consumer" of the ton of self-help books and advice out there.

It is a comprehensive, well-researched, and fun to read book that enhances our understanding of how our body regulates energy, and the many (reciprocal) interactions between our health and our environment.

Parents must read this book
A must read for parents... who need to address the systemic/long-term risks of this complex but slow developing threat before children get trapped in lifestyles which ultimately result in chronic obesity.

As Dr. Hamid argues, first and foremost, parents need to understand that a major driver of the obesity epidemic--for both children and adults--is the mistaken belief that it is O.K. (normal?) to defer to the body's wisdom and to "cruise" on automatic feeding control. That is, to regulate feeding behavior in accordance with our body's hard-wired biological drives--which drive us to eat to our physiological limits when food is readily available and selectively focusing on foods high in energy density.

To maintain a healthy body weight, our children thus need to learn to replace the passive model of involuntary (automatic) feeding regulation and assert cognitive control to proactively resist the obesifying aspects of the current environment. (In some oriental cultures, for example, children are taught "not to eat until hungry, and when eating to stop before feeling full.") And here's the really hard part: not for a week, or a month, but for a lifetime.

Many parents, for example, assume that children are fundamentally incapable of regulating their food intake--determining what, when, and how much to eat. Thus, to en sure adequate, well-balanced food intake, we see many parents, rather than empower their children with cognitive skills to make their own healthy nutrition choices, simply take-over the decision-making responsibility on their kids' behalf. They do this instinctively and, of course, with the best intentions--because they believe they can do it better or more easily; or because they do not want to saddle their children with the onerous respon sibilities that personal control entails. It is a common pitfall that many parents fall into--and a risky one.

Obviously, parents need to exert some control over their children's dietary options--ensuring, for example, that a variety of rea sonably healthful foods and snacks are readily available on the kitchen's shelves. If the house is stocked with cookies, cakes, candies, chips, sodas and ice cream, naturally that's what children will want to eat. But if parents go too far in tightly controlling the what, when, and how much of feeding, they risk seriously impeding their children's abilities to build self-regulatory competence and thereby promote the very problems they are attempting to avoid--overeating and weight gain.

It would be comforting to know that Harry Reid has read this book.
In terms of fair disclosure; I am an avid SDer ( i.e. Systems Thinker ) so much of this book
was a review of concepts I have learned and to that extent my reading this book
has the author `preaching to the choir'.

That said; everyone can benefit from reading this book
to get perspective in terms of realistic expectations
for preventing obesity in the future.

The Systems Thinking perspective is needed in order to make people keenly aware of the
long delays involved between actions and outcomes/risks with respect to obesity.
A heightened awareness and perspective on prevention are the takeaways from this book
in terms ofindividual responsibility that acknowledges the pressures to overeat
that exist in this day & age in our society.

This book does an excellent job illustrating how to communicate that awareness in a way
that leads to changed behavior and healthier living.

interesting approach to health
A very good look ata systems approach to health management. This shows just how complex, the causes of any health problem can be and why quick fixes never work in the long term. All the diet and surgical fads,are just dealing with a small part of a large system and eventually stop working or make things worse. By addressing the problem from a systems approach,looking at all the various parts biological,psychological,social etc. We can hopefully come up with a better long term solution. It also avoids blaming one part of the system,the person,society or the media. Systems theory could hopefullybe adopted for a number of health problems and this well written ( and illustrated) book will be a kick start. ... Read more

Product Description
In Exodus From Obesity, Paula F. Peck provides the information, encouragement and guidelines for maintaining long-term success after weight loss surgery. Ms. Peck interweaves intelligent discussion with humorous stories about herself and individuals that have faced diet after diet and ultimately chose the gastric bypass procedure. This book is a clear, easy-to-read guide for patients, potential patients, loved ones, parents and friends.

Based on scientific research and reflecting Paula F. Peck’s many years of personal and professional experience, this clear, authoritative guide provides readers:

- A thorough, step-by-step approach for undergoing gastric bypass surgery.

- Lifestyle changes necessary AFTER surgery for maintaining long-term weight loss.

- Tips for preventing binge eating when hunger returns.

- Skills for dining out at restaurants, salad bars and parties.

- Identification of the triggers that set off out-of-control eating.

- Approaches for overcoming self-defeat.

- Ways to change a distorted self-image.

- Methods for restructuring relationships and dealing with sexuality.

- New attitudes for raising self-esteem and celebrating a new life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (50)

love it
I enjoyed my purchase, it was easy great product and arrived early. The seller discribed it well in the write up so I knew exactly what I was geting and was happy on the transaction.

Nothing about the actual surgery
I guess the book is what the title says.But it would have been so much better if she had written in some detail about the surgery itself and the recovery.I understand that everyone is different as far as recovery goes...but she breezed over the surgery part in less then a paragraph.So I thought the surgery itself wasn't a big deal.I didn't give it much thought either.I just had my surgery and I have been in living hell for two weeks post surgery. It is not such a small deal that everyone makes it.Do your research about the actual surgery and recovery.This book does not cover everything you need to know about the surgery.

The Exodus from Obesity
There are a few books about gastic bypass sugery on the market."The Exodus from Obesity" is on top of the list.The author, Paula Peck, has incedible insight into the medical and emotional aspects of the "pre" and "post" surgery.She has a keen ability to relate to the patient.Why?Because she writes from personal experience.Being a retired nurse provides her to the knowledge of the medical techniques.However, it's her sincerity, compassion and kindess that truly delivers each chapter for mentally healing.I keep her book next to my favorite chair and read it daily as my guide...I consider Paula a friend joining me on this journey to weight loss and improved physical and mental health.Paula, thanks for sharing your life.

Rich

gift
I gave this as a gift to my daughter who hadthe surgery.
She liked it alot and has recommended it to others.

This is simply the best book on this subject I have ever read !
I had gbp surgeryoct 08. I wish I had this book to read sooner. It brings up alot of issues and opinions I hadn't thought about before . I will recommend this book to everyone I know patients and friends. ... 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
Childhood obesity has reached crisis proportions. Over the past two decades, the number of overweight adolescents has tripled. This skyrocketing youth obesity figure is associated with increases in high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes, as well as higher obesity figures in the adult population. With the rate of obesity among children and teens skyrocketing, the health of an entire generation is at risk.

The first step in solving this health crisis is understanding it. In Underage & Overweight: America's Childhood Obesity Crisis—What Every Family Needs to Know, the first shattering look at this looming disaster, childhood obesity expert Frances Berg clearly lays out the causes of the current crisis. Underage & Overweight clearly lays out the causes of childhood obesity, its consequences, and its cures. It examines the issue from all sides—the classroom, the playground, the home entertainment center, the fast food counter, and the family dining table. It gives families, educators, health care workers, and policy makers the information they need to lead America's children to healthier and happier lives.

Underage & Overweight doesn't just explore the problem. It gives realistic guidance for conquering the problem of childhood obesity. Rather than prescribing aerobics and limiting portions, it offers a seven-point plan for raising healthy children that focuses on changing the way families think about food and physical activity. The tips it gives for guiding children to healthier lives are vital reading not only for parents and other caretakers, but also for teachers, school administrators, doctors, nurses, and health care workers—indeed, anyone concerned about our children and their future.

This heartfelt call for public awareness, understanding, and action is destined to become a landmark work in our country's war against childhood obesity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

We can help our kids.Jill Fleming, RD of Thin Choices
This book addresses the issue of our overly-busy lives.Our children are as stressed and over-booked as we are.Their eating choices and patterns coupled with their lifestyle choices are the reason for obesity and eating disorders in children.I love that this book teaches us how to normalize eating and activity choices.Our children are not in touch with their internal hunger & satiety signals because of the overly processed foods we are letting them use to fuel their bodies.We parents have become too busy to schedule family dinners and bike rides with our kids.We are tossing food over the back seat to our kids as we are driving them to their next scheduled event.We have become afraid of unsafe communities and therefore are keeping our kids inside more often, where they are sitting in front of screens.The message in this book is that we need to stop placing all of the blame on the school lunches or fast food marketing and take control of the lifestyle choices we are helping our children make.We need to help our kids get back to normalized eating and playing just because it feels good.

Jill Fleming, MS, RD
Professional Speaker & Author of Thin People Don't Clean Their Plates: Simple Lifestyle Choices for Permanent Weight Loss (The Thin People Series)

Observations on self
He learnt from experimenting on his own life that moderation is the key to a balanced diet. No given diet is absolutely harmful but diets with very high carbohydrate and fat content should be restricted to minimum. In the end the total amount of calories taken in should be carefully watched. If a high calorie meal is consumed then one should compensatorily restrict calories at other meals. In the end to protect future generations there needs to be some control both at the consumer level as well as availability.

What Works and What Dosen't

I found 'Underage and Overweight' to be an excellent, relevant resource in the very critical issue of weight and children in our society. Of special note is the 'what works; what doesn't' section. Many of our students are still adolescents and have for most of their lives suffered from weight issues whether they are 'overweight' or not. Their well-meaning parents have often been part of the problem, trying to protect their child from becoming 'overweight,' which is so apparent in the scantily clad tropics of the Hawaiian Islands. Having a resource that gives such a broad overview of the issues is invaluable.
Anne Caprio Shovic, Ph.D., R.D., Associate Professor, Dietetics Program Director, Human Nutrition, University of Hawaii at Manoa
... Read more

Product Description
Is your weight hazardous to your health? According topublic-health authorities, 65 percent of us are overweight. Every day,we are bombarded with dire warnings about America’s "obesityepidemic." Close to half of the adult population is dieting,obsessed with achieving an arbitrary "ideal weight." Yet studiesshow that a moderately active larger person is likely to be farhealthier (and to live longer) than someone who is thin butsedentary. And contrary to what the fifty-billion-dollar-per-yearweight-loss industry would have us believe medical science has not yetcome up with a way to make people thin.

After years spent scrutinizing medical studies and interviewing leading doctors, scientists, eating- disorder specialists, and psychiatrists, Professor Paul Campos is here to lead the backlash against weight hysteria—and to show that we can safeguard our health without obsessing about the numbers on the scale. But The Obesity Myth is not just a compelling argument, grounded in the latest scientific research; it’s also a provocative, wry exposé of the culture that feeds on our self-defeating war on fat. Campos will show:

* How the nation’s most prestigious and trusted media sources consistently misinform the public about obesity
* What the movie industry’s love affair with the "fat suit" tells us about the relationship between racial- and body-based prejudice in America
* How the skinny elite—with their "supersized" lifestyles and gas-guzzling SUVs—project their anxieties about overconsumption on the poorer and heavier underclass
* How weight-loss mania fueled the impeachment of Bill Clinton

In this paradigm-busting read, Professor Campos challenges the conventional wisdom regarding the medical, political, and cultural meaning of weight and brings a rational and compelling new voice to America’s increasingly irrational weight debate.

Amazon.com Review
When an entire society is told that thinner is better and studies everywhere agree diets don't work, it's time to take a look at the assumptions behind the messages. For better or worse, this happens in Paul Campos' (Jurismania) book The Obesity Myth. Packed full of lengthy discussions of popular studies (particularly the Harvard nurses study), dense chapters run through statistics and conclusions at a breathtaking pace. Campos regularly insists on two points: BMI is basically meaningless, and a variety of media-based sources are contributing to an enormous industry that blends oversized portions with trendy, potentially harmful, diets.He grabs attention to the first claim with early assertions that by BMI standards, Brad Pitt is overweight and George Clooney is obese; more detailed discussion covers how insurance companies developed the BMI tables in their earliest forms and the federal government later tinkered with measurements in a way that accounts for much of the sudden "explosion" in obesity (yes, a BMI chart is included at the end of the book). Repeatedly, Campos rails against media stars whose main qualification is their leanness, questions medical conclusions, and demands that we look at weight as a class issue. Also highlighted is the idea of the diet industry being an extremely powerful political force, which may be at the root of the controversy; the hollering about his sources is likely to be louder than the comments about his accuracy in assessing those sources. As with any highly inflammatory topic, a single book presents only a part of the whole picture--but the myth-busting opinions offered here are an important part of the weight-based discussions. --Jill Lightner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (57)

Dangerous Ideas...
I was actually on Amazon to purchase a text regarding obesity and activity and stumbled upon this book.I haven't read the book, but judging by other reviews, I feel the need to defend (at least part of) my profession.I hold a terminal degree in exercise physiology and have conducted my own research in the area of the exercise sciences.Although I agree with author that our society is woefully addicted to fad exercise routines and diets and that a glance at (runway) models is appalling (those ladies are not healthy), I would heartily and empirically disagree with the assertion that being overweight/obese is "okay" from a health stand point.A mountain of research exists (too much to go into here) that obesity and morbidity are partners in crime.Understand that I am not disparaging those who struggle with weight (I have several family members and friends who do...), but to say that condition is healthy and those advocating a healthy weight reduction through proper diet and activity (I wouldn't really advocated medications...) are in cahoots is a bit too conspiracy theory-driven and seemingly unfounded.I can't speak for everyone in my profession or the medical/pharmaceutical profession, but I know that in exercise science we strive to publish and disseminate information for the betterment of our fellow man.

Great topic, good science, but it could have been so much better...
I was very interested in the science Campos presented, but completely turned off when he resorted to personal attacks against particular people -- which unfortunately took up most of the book.It doesn't exactly scream "balanced" or "unbiased."Even some of his science was less than completely balanced, in my opinion.I've done enough reading on diabetes to know that the rise in the disease is not imaginary, as Campos claims -- for instance, a change in the diagnostic criteria some years ago does not explain the 3% per year rise in diagnoses since then.And there is a well-studied correlation between diabetes and obesity, despite what Campos says.Now, that is not to say that being overweight causes diabetes.Diabetes (or prediabetes) may cause weight gain rather than vice versa, or they may both be caused by something else entirely, such as poor nutrition.But to deny any correlation (correlation does not mean causation) between overweight and diabetes, and to deny the steady rise of the disease, seems like it would require either poor research or blinders -- just what Campos accuses others of.

That's just one small point, but it made me question Campos' perspective, and the rest of his science.The book contains a lot of valuable information, and I only wish it had been presented in a way that didn't strike me as one-sided and, well, just a little pissy.The shame of it all is I think Campos is absolutely right in his basic premise.Unfortunately he falls prey to the exact sort of "us vs. them" thinking he says he dislikes about "infotainment" TV, and his message is tainted by it.I wish I could recommend the book to friends, but I can't.It's worth the read if only for the science and the point of view, especially if you've never heard the premise before.But it certainly isn't the last word.The message of the book definitely needs to get out, but not in this form.I can only hope another author tackles the subject in the future, a little more fairly!For that matter, I can only hope a dozen authors do, because this truly is a worthy topic.

Being weight obsessed isn't healthy, but neither is food-addiction.
[...]

I see first hand every day the consequences of obesity. You can make yourself feel much better about your lifestyle by reading this book, but it doesn't address the real problem: That obesity is what is ruining our health care system and killing more US citizens than any terrorist event will ever do.

Don't lie to yourself and convince yourself you are healthy when you are obese. My father is obese and he is on statins for his high cholesterol, anti-hypertensives for his high blood pressure, pain meds for his osteoarthritis, and oh, he also has chronic kidney disease from undiagnosed hypertension.

[...]

There is NOTHING safe about being FAT.

Arrogant
Saw this author interviewed on CNN this evening.His arrogance outweighs (no pun intended) anything that could be contained in this book.A complete turnoff.What has happened to civil discourse?Is everything just about being provactive just to sell a product?

Great book, but. . .
This is a great book.So why only 3 stars?Because from the introduction on, Campos comes across as the Fat Person's friend.His pandering to the downtrodden diminishes the very real science behind his points, all of which are excellent ones.If he sounded less angry, then it would be easier to accept everything he says-- which I do, by the way.It's just he gets in the way of himself throughout the book. ... Read more

Product Description
Currently, over fifteen million Americans are struggling, day-by-day, hoping for a healthier life and a means to shed massive amounts of weight. Morbid obesity is a deadly epidemic causing over 300,000 deaths annually and is second only to cigarette smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Sufferers of morbid obesity "are sick and tired" of being "sick and tired". Feelings of desperation often lead them to attempt anything to lose 100 pounds plus of extra weight they carry, which makes them easy prey to fraudulent diet scams and untruthful advertising practices. For those who suffer with the disease of morbid obesity and have been unsuccessful at their diet attempts -- there is another answer. In this book, the answer to a better and longer life is not a quick-fix diet nor a cosmetic procedure, but a medically accepted and the only proven method of weight loss for the devastating disease of morbid obesity. The method is properly known as bariatric surgery. Throughout the pages of A Complete Guide to Obesity Surgery, readers will be informed of the many advances that have been made in bariatric surgery over the past forty-plus years, in a language they can understand. A Complete Guide to Obesity Surgery also provides a truthful representation of bariatric surgery, including the potentially dangerous risks and the many benefits from a successful surgery. In addition, the many myths regarding the causes of obesity and the surgical treatment of the disease are explained in detail.

One of the goals of this book will be to provide potential surgery candidates and ther family members, the tools needed to properly weigh the risk of remaining morbidly obese versus the possible surgical complications. Readers will be informed of the surgical procedures available, how they promote weight loss, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure. A Complete Guide to Obesity Surgery allows patients to gain valuable insight into surgery. This book provides readers with a step-by-step guide to researching a surgeon to postoperative care and includes postoperative diet instructions and the development of a personalized exercise prescription. The knowledge gained by reading this book will allow potential surgery candidates and their family members to form educated opinions. This ensures that each person will become prepared for the changes that will be necessary to reduce side effects and improve outcomes. Patient testimonials and pictures will provide amazing insight of the ups and downs through their surgical experience and their new lives.

Readers will find this book to be an informative, practical self-help guide to postoperative exercise and nutrition programs. A Complete Guide to Obesity Surgery is a well-organized comprehensive toolkit addressing the many issues that surround the surgical treatment of obesity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Exactly what I ordered!, Thanks
It has everything you need to know for any of these kinds of surgeries and their risks.

Time for an updated version
I purchased this book due to a requirement from my Doctor. Although I had already read most of the information from other publications, there is still alot of usueful information in this book. Although it does need to be revised/updated. Some of the facts are very old and or no longer issues with the new surgeries.

Very informative
This book told me pretty much everything I needed to know about my gastric bypass surgery.It is very thorough.

Required reading
This was required reading by my surgeon.After reading it, I can understand why.A very well written, thorough analysis of a complex issue.However, an easy read.

Really helpful book
This book was very helpful and was in easy-to-understand text.Sometimes health books can get too technical but this was in every day words.The only problem I had with it was it was published in 2001, so it is a little outdated. ... Read more

Product Description
The contemporary successor to the editors' earlier Obesity: Theory and Therapy, this comprehensive handbook guides mental health, medical, and allied health professionals through the process of planning and delivering individualized treatment services for those seeking help for obesity. Concise, extensively referenced chapters present foundational knowledge and review the full range of widely used interventions, including self-help, behavioral, and cognitive-behavioral approaches; pharmacotherapy; and surgery. Provided are state-of-the-art guidelines for assessing obese individuals for health risks and for mood and eating disorders; treatment algorithms for tailoring interventions to the severity of the client's problem; details on adjunctive interventions for improving body image and self-esteem; recommendations for working with child clients; and much more.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Very Valuable Book About Obesity and Its Treatment
This book is a necessary resource for anyone who wishes the latest and most reliable information about obesity and weight loss approaches.Both editors are internationally acclaimed researchers and clinicians who combine scientific expertise and clinical experience.They have assembled a stellar cast of contributors who are very prominent and knowledgeable in their particular fields.The scope of coverage is exhaustive; in this one volume the reader can access up-to-date information on all aspects of obesity and its treatment, at levels ranging from the gene to the globe.At the same time the book is anything but exhausting, with skillfully edited chapters that are tight and very readable.

After more than 20 years of clinical work and research in weight loss and obesity, I am increasingly humbled by how much we don't know.I am also increasingly overwhelmed by the explosion of new information.This book is a comprehensive collection of summaries of what we now know in all of the many different fields of research and practice that address weight and weight loss.Anyone with an interest in obesity and weight loss, whether professional, student, or curious and serious layperson, will find this volume to be a real gem.

Patrick M. O'Neil, Ph.D.
Director, Weight Management Center
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Medical University of South Carolina ... Read more

Product Description
This book, the result of over 20 years of research, looks at the conditions of obesity, cancer and depression through a new physiological perspective and offers a new approach in preventing and treating these conditions ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

excellent book
This is the first book of Dr B's that I have read and I found it to be so logical and helpful. I feel ashamed of myself for neglecting my body, but pleased that it is not too late to remedy the situation. Water is now very important to me, plus ensuring my children drink plenty also. My thirst sensation is being renewed. I'm yet to see a result on the scales but I've started walking the children to the bus stop for school instead of driving and I have a lot more energy. My clothes are a better fit (less muffin top over the jeans) even if the scales don't indicate much difference. Its early days for weight loss but I realize how easy (and cheap)it is to live healthily. I've lent the book to family and ordered another copy plus other books of Dr B's.
What a wonderful wake up call. A great source of information. Revolutionary!
I have grown up drinking soda, cordial, tea and coffee. Now I don't desire any of it. This has absolutely amazed me I thought it would be difficult but it really hasn't been. I also am having a bit of salt in the morning before my first drink. That is the hard bit- but I'm getting used to it now.
I bought this book mainly for the obesity side of things and I lent it to my dad before reading the other parts. I have since been reading 'Your body's many cries for water'. Everything Dr B writes is full of heart felt concern and sound, logical scientific research and discussion.

Good Book
This is a good book for anyone to read who has not read any other books written by "Dr. Batman."
I have a couple other of his books and the theme is very much the same.It's about how vitally important it is for everyone to drink sufficient amounts of water throughout each day. If you think you know that it is important to drink enough water, but have never read any of his books, I would highly recommend you get one and this particular book is a good place to start.

excellent service
Absolutely excellent service .Book was in perfect condition and service was fast and excellent.

Obesity- Cancer- Depression
one of the best books you can read and the material is a life saver.. or extender..Lew

WOW!!!It has worked for me!

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I HAD a great big freckle on my cheek that was getting bigger. In fact, it was so big my hairdresser thought she had dropped some hair dye on my cheek and tried to wipe it off!After drinking plain water for about 2 weeks my "freckle" had shrunk by half. I called the phone number in the book and found out I should be drinking a good sea salt in my water and how much...In two weeks the "freckle" has shrunk by half again and getting lighter every day. I had been thinking of going to the dr but didn't because this is working. I have no official medical documentation. I am saying I have used the information in this book and it has helped me.I don't know what it will do for you. It has definately helped me! I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Product Description
During the past twenty years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States.An estimated thirty percent of adults in the US are obese; in 1980, only fifteen percent were.The issue is gaining greater attention with the CDC and with the public health world in general. This book will offer practical information about the methodology of epidemiologic studies of obesity, suitable for graduate students and researchers in epidemiology, and public health practitioners with an interest in the issue.

The book will be structured in four main sections, with the majority of chapters authored by Dr. Hu, and some authored by specialists in specific areas.The first section will consider issues surrounding the definition of obesity, measurement techniques, and the designs of epidemiologic studies. The second section will address the consequences of obesity, looking at epidemiologic studies that focus on cardio-vascular disease, diabetes, and cancerThe third section will look at determinants obesity, reviewing a wide range of risk factors for obesity including diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviors, sleep disorders, psychosocial factors, physical environment, biochemical and genetic predictors, and intrauterine exposures.In the final section, the author will discuss the analytical issues and challenges for epidemiologic studies of obesity.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Cannot recommend as a textbook.
Why would adipocyte/adipose tissue secretory products predict weight gain, when as a whole, they are the consequence, not the cause of acquired obesity? Why would insulin resistance predict weight gain when weight gain, under the lifestyle model of type 2 diabetes onset, is the cause - not the consequence of target tissue insulin resistance? Why not explain the role of adipogenesis fully and completely? And if insulin resistance (at the adipocyte) occursalong (side-by-side) with some measure of heritable obesity due to genetic/congenital/programming factors, acquired obesity per se would probably not be concerning. Why is there not a single paragraph on the treatment of adipocyte cellularity and adipocyte size? Why is there no discussion of adipocyte hypertrophy (the cause and consequence of adipocyte size) or hyperplasia (the cause and consequence of adipose cellularity) - That is, the proliferation and differentiation of new adipocytes in adults under a variety of circumstances (eg, some oral anti-diabetic meds?) Why on earth are the ligand agonists (TZD's) of PPAR-gamma only mentioned in relation to "fat redistribution" when in fact, PPAR-gamma is considered a key regulator in adipogenesis? Why not discuss PPAR-gamma fully and then provide information on ligand activation. This very incomplete discussion makes it appear as if visceral fat magically moves to subcutaneous regions, and voila, insulin sensitivity returns! Why is insulin sensitivity improved? Why no discussion? Why is insulin resistance explicitly mentioned as a problem only for liver and skeletal glucose uptake, when the majority of excess energy uptake occurs at the adipocyte? I could go on and on, but suffice to say, in my humble opinion, this book seriously lacks the most basic anatomic, physiologic, and biologic foundation to intelligently address, research, and interpret the problem(s) of obesity in populations. Why so many important aspects of the obesity discussion were ignored or left out is unclear and concerning. It makes no sense. For new students to the topic, this book will not bring them closer to understanding obesity. It will definitely confuse, more than enlighten, but they probably won't even know. For students who are up to date on the obesity literature, they will most certainly feel as I do.

Great review of the obesity literature
Each chapter is like its own review article on a topic that is either a cause or a consequence of obesity. Hu focuses on methodology and discusses limitations of how obesity research is currently being conducted in fields ranging from the social and behavioral sciences, to dietary patterns, to genetics.

If you aren't at Harvard School of Public Health, but want to take Frank Hu's Obesity Epidemiology class...read this book! ... Read more

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In this sweeping exploration of the relatively recent obesity epidemic, Michael L. Power and Jay Schulkin probe evolutionary biology, history, physiology, and medical science to uncover the causes of our growing girth. The unexpected answer? Our own evolutionary success.

For most of the past few million years, our evolutionary ancestors' survival depended on being able to consume as much as possible when food was available and to store the excess energy for periods when it was scarce. In the developed world today, high-calorie foods are readily obtainable, yet the propensity to store fat is part of our species' heritage, leaving an increasing number of the world's people vulnerable to obesity. In an environment of abundant food, we are anatomically, physiologically, metabolically, and behaviorally programmed in a way that makes it difficult for us to avoid gaining weight.

Power and Schulkin's engagingly argued book draws on popular examples and sound science to explain our expanding waistlines and to discuss the consequences of being overweight for different demographic groups. They review the various studies of human and animal fat use and storage, including those that examine fat deposition and metabolism in men and women; chronicle cultural differences in food procurement, preparation, and consumption; and consider the influence of sedentary occupations and lifestyles.

A compelling and comprehensive examination of the causes and consequences of the obesity epidemic, The Evolution of Obesity offers fascinating insights into the question, Why are we getting fatter?

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Customer Reviews (2)

Parents Guide
This is a great book for parents. Clinicians will also find it useful. It does not lend itself as well as I had hoped to use in a monitored pediatric program. By spanning the entire course of childhood and adolescence, it contains "big picture" which is useful to parents but would need to be supplemented to concentration on problems at any given age.

Good Information
There's a lot of good information here.As a teacher of twenty-five years, and as a parent, I've dealt with more than my share of overweight kids, and read everything that comes along on the subject.And although this book is one of the better ones out there, I've been recommending the CD talk "The Fat Kid's Diet: Stop Childhood Obesity In Your Home," available here at Amazon, to the parents who come to me with their concerns.It's brief, sensible, and right to the point. ... Read more

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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

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Praise For The End of Energy Obesity

"Peter Tertzakian has succeeded once again. He outlines a visionary approach to meeting the serious challenges of the world's projected population growth, continued economic growth, and increasing living standards. This book is a clarion call to policymakers, business leaders, and energy consumers everywhere."
—Guy Caruso, Senior Advisor, CSIS, Washington, D.C. (former Administrator, U.S. Energy Information Administration)

"Peter Tertzakian is one of the great energy thinkers of our time. In this compelling book, he examines the factors that will drive global energy demand and addresses the critical energy issue of our time: How can mankind bring its ever-growing demand for energy under control?"
—Hal Kvisle, CEO, TransCanada Corporation

"Anyone interested in understanding the forces that drive conflict and instability when it comes to energy should read Peter Tertzakian's important book, The End of Energy Obesity. Mr. Tertzakian makes it clear that the road ahead is difficult but not impossible. For those interested in how to attack the energy problem today for a better future, this is a must-read book."
—General John P. Abizaid (Ret.), former Combatant Commander, U.S. Central Command, and member of the SAFE Energy Security Leadership Council

"The End of Energy Obesity is a fresh look at a pressing problem . . . thought-provoking writing that's a must-read for those concerned about the way forward for the industrialized world."
—The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, Government of Canada

"Peter Tertzakian's prose is fun to read, and the analogies are so apt. For anyone concerned about how we go on an energy diet, this book is a must-read."
—Matthew R. Simmons, Chairman, Simmons & Company International, author of Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy

"This book explores the critical role networked IT solutions play in changing the way energy is used and delivered. The network truly becomes a platform for monitoring and managing energy consumption in a much more efficient way, and we expect the benefits to accelerate as the network becomes more pervasive. Tertzakian shows the reader how networked collaboration technologies such as TelePresence can enable powerful, face-to-face interactions while reducing our energy appetite and carbon footprint."
—John Chambers, Chairman and CEO, Cisco   ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Well Reasoned Primer on How to Curb Our Energy Appetite
Tertzakian sensitized us to our enormous energy appetite (western world) in A Thousand Barrels a Second (what a title!). He introduced in that work, the concept of energy break points. Historical periods when mankind has experienced disruptive events forcing a change in how energy is used (burned up all the wood, had to move to coal). Now, in Energy Obesity, he lays out two fundamental energy principles. The First Principle of Energy Consumption simply holds that throughout our history, improved quality of life has been directly related to greater energy consumption. The Assymetry Principle takes what is traditionally considered an energy problem, the efficiency losses from source of production to point of consumption, and stands it on its head. He makes the case that for each barrel of oil equivalent we don't have to consume (by making more intelligent choices about our energy consumption and maximizing technology), we save six or more barrels from having to be produced, with all the environmental savings that go along with that. An incredibly powerful way of looking at the benefits of energy conservation - which many agree is key to a sustainable future (in conjunction with technologial innovation). It is this need for conservation (reduction in wastemaking) that is referred to as the Third Commandment of the Human Revolution in The Vanishing of a Species? - another study of mankind's material demands on planet earth and how to curb them to provide a chance at a sustainable future.

Tertzakian has an interesting writing style, sprinkling personal observations and anecdotes throughout the scientific material used to make his case. An easy read, and one that presents a hopeful view of the future in the face of significant challenges facing us over the next few decades in terms of our energy appetite. Highly recommended.

Hallelujah!
The most important energy development in tha past five years has been the new technology that provides the economic release of enormous amounts of natural gas - all over the world. Finally, a book has been written that clearly points its importance and the impact it will have on the so many energy sources that are doomed for failure. I hope the politicians will take notice.

A pick for both college and general lending collections
Peter Tertzakian works with Keith Hollihan in THE END OF ENERGY OBESITY, exploring solutions to the problem of a widening appetite for energy and showing how to change the fuel diet for a better future. His focus on practical options and immediate applications makes for a comprehensive survey key to any serious understanding of energy usage and alternatives: a pick for both college and general lending collections.

Finally : a sensible approach
Finally, a book that offers a really sensible approach to dealing with the world's energy problems: stop just focusing on new sources of supply and start looking for ways to decrease demand! Many may react to this book's proposal in the same of knee-jerk manner and suppose that any reduction in energy demand, i.e. consumption, is always going to reverse economic growth. And it's in part because of this attitude that we're forced to dig for oil and gas in the most inhospitable corners of the planet. The belief that we must "supply" ourselves out of our energy problems comes from "The First Principle of Energy Consumption". The book describes this as the rule that if energy consumption goes up so too does GDP and human comfort levels. But the book shows that this rule can be broken. To no surprise, it talks about energy conservation and improving efficiency. But what I didn't expect in the book was talk about the trend toward "virtualization" and how this is the real game changer in the energy sector. Slowly but surely, the way that people live, work and play is changing because of rapidly evolving communication technology. It all started with the telephone and telegraph, but today the platform of our long distance interaction with others is shifting over to Skype, videoconferencing and telepresence- to name a few of these new technologies. Transportation is the big glutton in energy demand and so much of it-from daily commutes to business travel- is being made redundant. The long and short of the book's message is that we can free ourselves from the belief in the connection between prosperity and energy demand growth. We can become economically more productive while burning less and less fuel if we start taking advantage of these communication tools. It's a straightforward and optimistic message.

The title got me.
As a Western Canadian living near the Athabasca tar sands I'm very concerned about the impacts of the energy sector (i.e oil industry) activity on the environment. I picked up a copy of The End of Energy Obesity because of the optimistic-sounding title. Canadians, Americans and other developed nations are consuming energy at an unsustainable rate. The developing world is striving to emulate our very energy inefficient lifestyle. I'm skeptical about the author's belief that we can grow our economies indefinitely, while at the same time reducing our "energy appetite", but at least he supports his ideas with plausible arguments. The key appears to lie in changing transportation behavior, which includes the way in which wealthy (i.e. "energy obese") societies rely on huge amounts of fossil fuel for the daily suburban commutes and transglobe business trips of its citizens. The book describes how the information revolution causes the need for much of this transportation to fall to the wayside as new-fangled communication tools make online collaborative work ever easier. The social implications of this Brave New World with its threat of ever-deepening social isolation is a little frightening, but the benefits of"energy fittness" to our global environment outweigh the dangers of one collapsing from an "energy cardiac arrest".Interesting ideas. ... Read more

Product Description
Obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges in the 21st century. Devising effective policy and practice to combat childhood obesity is a high priority for many governments and health professionals internationally. This book brings together contributors from around the world and showcases the latest evidence-based research on community and policy interventions to prevent unhealthy weight gain and improve the health and well-being of children. The authors highlight from the evidence available what is and what is not effective and provide recommendations on how to implement and evaluate promising interventions for obesity prevention.

This book is an essential read for all public health practitioners, early childhood professionals, health care providers and clinicians working to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity in their communities. ... Read more

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The world is experiencing an obesity epidemic. In both industrialized and emerging countries, the percentage of adults and children with obesity is increasing annually. It is no longer unusual to encounter a patient with extreme or morbid obesity in the operating room; these patients are routinely scheduled for every type of surgical procedure. Everyone involved in the peri-operative management of the surgical patient with morbid obesity - surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists, psychologists, nurses, nutritionists, respiratory therapists - must be aware of the special needs of these patients. Morbid Obesity: Peri-operative Management, second edition, considers the perioperative care of the morbidly obese patient, from preoperative preparation to intraoperative management and through to their postoperative course. Edited by leading experts in the management of the morbidly obese surgical patient, Morbid Obesity: Peri-operative Management, second edition, provides clear, practical clinical guidance on the management of the extremely obese surgical patient. ... Read more

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The modern world is faced with a terrifying new ‘disease’, that of ‘obesity’. As people get fatter, we have come to see excess weight as unhealthy, morally repugnant and socially damaging. Fat it seems has long been a national problem and each age, culture and tradition have all defined a point beyond which excess weight is unacceptable, ugly or corrupting.

This fascinating new book by Sander Gilman looks at the interweaving of fact and fiction about obesity, tracing public concern from the mid-nineteenth century to the modern day. He looks critically at the source of our anxieties, covering issues such as childhood obesity, the production of food, media coverage of the subject and the emergence of obesity in modern China. Written as a cultural history, the book is particularly concerned with the cultural meanings that have been attached to obesity over time and to explore the implications of these meanings for wider society. The history of these debates is the history of fat in culture, from nineteenth-century opera to our global dieting obsession. Fat, A Cultural History of Obesity is a vivid and absorbing cultural guide to one of the most important topics in modern society. ... Read more

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Almost fourteen percent of American children over age six and twelve percent of adolescents are obese, more than double the rate of thirty years ago. Although there are countless diet and weight-loss books on the market, few of them explain in jargon-free terms the basic factors, the body processes that can lead to childhood obesity, and the research currently underway to combat this growing health risk.

In Understanding Childhood Obesity, Dr. J. Clinton Smith has created a comprehensive guide covering nearly every field of obesity research. He explores causes and methods of control, the body's physical and chemical make up, prevention strategies, new treatments and behavior modifications, and future research possibilities.

Smith closely examines the genetic and environmental factors that can lead to childhood obesity. For parents, he answers the all-important question of whether an obese child needs help, and he outlines traditional diet and exercise treatments as well as aggressive medical and surgical techniques. He also introduces readers to the "continuous care and problem solving model" that has proved valuable in pediatric treatment clinics.

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Predictive medicine is the most exciting—and potentially groundbreaking—medical development in decades. Written by Brandon Colby, MD, a leader in the fields of predictive medicine and genetic testing, Outsmart Your Genes will empower you, the reader, with a clear understanding of exactly what predictive medicine entails and how it can be used today to protect your health as well as the health of those you love.

Written in straightforward, nontechnical language, Outsmart Your Genes enables everyone, even those without any background in genetics or medicine, to understand the benefits of predictive medicine. Separating myth from fact and answering all the tough questions, Outsmart Your Genes clearly explains:

- How the revolutionary new medical specialty called predictive medicine analyzes your genes and provides you with clear solutions to protect your health and wellbeing.
- What the process will entail and how simple it is. For example, the process doesn't even require blood or use needles – instead, all that's needed in order to run the analysis is a small amount of your saliva.
- What your genes can reveal about your overall health and how we can use that information to provide you with a genetically tailored plan for preventing cancer, Alzheimer's, heart disease, obesity, and many other conditions. As opposed to just generalities, specific examples are given so that you'll know exactly how medicine will improve your life.
- The many ways in-which learning about your genes can help you formulate a genetically tailored nutrition and athletic plan that may help you shed those extra pounds and stay trim and fit.
- How predictive medicine can help both prospective and current parents protect their children against SIDS and also help minimize the impact of and most effectively treat many other childhood diseases such as autism, asthma, dyslexia, obesity, and diabetes.
- Why analyzing your children's genes mayprovide the best chance they have to fight against diseases that may not affect them until later in life, including Alzheimer's, many forms of cancer (such as breast cancer and skin cancer), multiple sclerosis, and even hearing loss.
- How groundbreaking advancements in the fields of genetic analysis, including predictive medicine panels and disease matrix technology, allow you and your physician to avoid information overload and focus only on the information most relevant to you.
- The important concepts you need to understand before speaking with a doctor.
- The top five questions you need to ask in order to assess:
1. The credibility of the laboratory doing the testing.
2. The types of diseases included in the test.
3. How thoroughly the test actually evaluates your risk for each of the diseases.
4. Whether the information is provided in a way that makes it actionable.
5. Whether the results will be delivered in a format that is straightforward and easy to understand. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Visionary!
This book was exceptionally well-written and surprisingly easy to understand.Dr. Colby has great passion for the emerging field of predictive medicine and has clearly become an expert on the subject.I would have liked information about the genetic inheritance of gluten intolerance, but otherwise, the book was very comprehensive in its scope.I love the concept of how genes that helped our survival in the past are now harmful to us in the modern era.Another fascinating point is that so called healthy lifestyles are not necessarily healthy for everyone.For example, drinking tea is healthful in reducing the risk of many cancers, but only if you have a genetic variant.I highly recommend this book to all who people who have concerns about their genetic tendency for illness.

Buy it - it may save your life
"Why should I bother getting genetic tests?The most I can hope to learn is I need to exercise, eat better, and lose weight."

I can't tell you the number of times I've heard this quote, and I'm guilty myself of uttering similar remarks.Having just finished reading Dr. Colby's book cover-to-cover in a single sitting, I have a new perspective.

To echo the comments of other reviewers:"Outsmart Your Genes" is a well-written introduction to the subject of genetic testing and what ALL of us should be doing to overcome our genetic limitations and live healthier for longer.

Should I sign up for a genetic testing service?Should I trust such a service with my genetic data?What can I do with the information?Will learning about my genetic makeup simply create anxiety about risk factors that I can do nothing about?Should I involve my doctor?

Dr. Colby answers these questions in clear, logical language that any of us can understand.

Do yourself a favor and buy this book.It may save your life or the life of someone you love.

Outsmart Your Genes Will Change How You Look At Your Health
I enjoyed this book so much that I am posting my first book review on Amazon. This is one book that lives up to its title.Needless to say, I highly recommend it.
Dr. Brandon Colby has written the definitive guide to genetic screening.Dr. Colby has clearly spent years researching the material distilled in this book.Surprisingly, he has managed to make the material both fun to read and understandable, with delightful anecdotes interspersed throughout.The book is broken down into easy to digest chapters, making it easy to skip to the chapters that interest you most.Although I have to warn you that it will be difficult to put the book down once you start reading.I lent a copy of the book to my mother who has an interest in, or should I say fear of, Alzheimer's Disease and she ended up reading not just that one chapter, but the whole book, that same weekend.After reading this book, I will never again think that my genes are my destiny.
My only fault with the book is that it was not always detailed enough, peeking but not always quenching, my curiosity.I followed some of the links in the book, and found that the website [...], the online companion to the book, helped fill in some of these gaps.I did a little more research and found Dr. Colby's medical practice at [...].I am looking forward to outsmarting my genes and seeing how the book translates into actual medical practice and therefore plan on scheduling an appointment for the next time I am in Los Angeles.
Dr. Colby's obvious passion for the potential of genetic screening to revolutionize medical care shines through on every page.It makes me wonder why modern medicine has been unable to take the advances discovered every day by scientific researchers and apply them to the current practice of medicine.This book should be required reading for all medical students.

This is a must-read!
Before reading this book I didn't think I'd ever understand genetic testing - or even want to understand it. But after my sister gave it to me as a gift and said how astounded she was by it I felt obligated to read a few pages. A few pages quickly turned into me reading the entire book and I'm so happy I did because it has completely changed my perspective on medicine. And, best of all, it was so easy to read that I now understand why people are always saying genetics is a revolution and that it is going to change how medicine is practiced. Although I felt the chapter on heart disease was a bit long, overall the book was truly a pleasure to read. Because of this book I now actually understand this fascinating field and have already scheduled an appointment with my doctor to discuss having my genes tested. This is unquestionably a five star book.

A groundbreaking work from a cutting edge physician
Outsmart Your Genes is sure to spark a revolution in the way medicine is practiced in the 21st Century. Dr. Colby, a pioneer in the field of Predictive Medicine, has consolidated years of personal research and development into a clear, concise, eminently readable manifesto. The central thesis, that human beings can take control of their health through understanding and even manipulating the genetic code, seems elementary because it has been the subject of much speculation for many years. In truth, this book is light years ahead of its time and serves as a wakeup call to the medical community. Our understanding of the human body is changing and our approach to healthcare needs to evolve. Dr. Colby's book tells us how in simple, elegant prose. Outsmart Your Genes should be mandatory reading for everyone, but parents and parents-to-be would be remiss to ignore this groundbreaking book. As a physician, I recommend it to all my patients. If you are interested in taking an active role in the fight against disease and in your own well-being, you need to read this book. It will change your life.

-Michael K. Novick, M.D. ... Read more

Product Description
Obesity is an unintended but unavoidable consequence of economic progress.Obesity is not a disease but a signal. It should alert us to bigger structural problems in society. On the one hand, economic growth has over centuries led to a steadily improving standard of living, better levels of health and ever-increasing life spans. On the other hand, this very affluence is the reason that both our bodies and the planet have gone into a downward spiral, manifested by an ever growing epidemic of obesity in humans, and in a world clogged by greenhouse gasses and waste. Our bodies can no longer cope with the excess of over-consumption to which we are encouraged at every turn, and the planet is labouring under the effect of industrialisation and greenhouse gas emissions. A fundamental change in thinking is needed both for how we treat our bodies and for our approach to the planet. Each is the only one we have. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent presentation of complex topics
As an internist, I am a little closer to the obesity side of things but I found the entire book informative and very easy to comprehend. The chapters are purposefully short to facilitate the episodic reading that is often the only reading possible in a busy practice. I particularly like Dr. Brownell's public health and environmental approach to the problem of obesity. This textbook is a great way for the uninitiated to "catch up" on the current concepts of obesity and eating disorders. ... Read more