Debating Obesity

Debating Obesity

Author: E. Rich

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2010-11-17

Total Pages: 270

ISBN-13: 0230304230

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This book brings together critical perspectives on some of the recent claims associated with the obesity crisis. It develops both theoretical and conceptual arguments around the obesity debate, as well as taking a more practical focus in terms of implications for the health professions to outline an agenda for a 'critical weight studies'.


Book Synopsis Debating Obesity by : E. Rich

Download or read book Debating Obesity written by E. Rich and published by Springer. This book was released on 2010-11-17 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book brings together critical perspectives on some of the recent claims associated with the obesity crisis. It develops both theoretical and conceptual arguments around the obesity debate, as well as taking a more practical focus in terms of implications for the health professions to outline an agenda for a 'critical weight studies'.


Body of Truth

Body of Truth

Author: Harriet Brown

Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books

Published: 2015-03-24

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 0738217697

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A science journalist's provocative exploration of how biology, psychology, media, and culture come together to shape our ongoing obsession with our bodies, while also tackling the myths and realities of the "obesity epidemic."


Book Synopsis Body of Truth by : Harriet Brown

Download or read book Body of Truth written by Harriet Brown and published by Da Capo Lifelong Books. This book was released on 2015-03-24 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A science journalist's provocative exploration of how biology, psychology, media, and culture come together to shape our ongoing obsession with our bodies, while also tackling the myths and realities of the "obesity epidemic."


The Body Size and Health Debate

The Body Size and Health Debate

Author: Christine L. B. Selby

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2017-10-27

Total Pages: 226

ISBN-13: 1440848068

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Has the connection between body size and overall health been overstated for decades? This book examines how our dogged efforts to eradicate obesity may be doing more harm than good and explores alternative ways to measure and encourage health. It's fair to say that Americans are obsessed with body size and weight—whether it's in the name of health and disease prevention or the idealization of unrealistically thin proportions. But trying to lose weight and drop clothing sizes is healthy, right? Or is it not healthy, in many cases? In this book, the latest in Greenwood's Health and Medical Issues Today series, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Certified Sport Psychology Consultant Christine L. B. Selby, PhD, examines the often confusing information—and misinformation—that exists on obesity and its connection to overall health. She provides a broad examination of this timely topic, addressing the rate of obesity in the United States, questioning the appropriateness of BMI to gauge overall health and well-being, discussing controversies related to weight and health including excessive dieting, and providing real-world scenarios that clearly illustrate major concepts related to weight and health. The book also summarizes a relatively new and still controversial approach to improving well-being that takes the focus off the number on the scale. But can individuals really be happy and healthy at any size


Book Synopsis The Body Size and Health Debate by : Christine L. B. Selby

Download or read book The Body Size and Health Debate written by Christine L. B. Selby and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2017-10-27 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Has the connection between body size and overall health been overstated for decades? This book examines how our dogged efforts to eradicate obesity may be doing more harm than good and explores alternative ways to measure and encourage health. It's fair to say that Americans are obsessed with body size and weight—whether it's in the name of health and disease prevention or the idealization of unrealistically thin proportions. But trying to lose weight and drop clothing sizes is healthy, right? Or is it not healthy, in many cases? In this book, the latest in Greenwood's Health and Medical Issues Today series, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Certified Sport Psychology Consultant Christine L. B. Selby, PhD, examines the often confusing information—and misinformation—that exists on obesity and its connection to overall health. She provides a broad examination of this timely topic, addressing the rate of obesity in the United States, questioning the appropriateness of BMI to gauge overall health and well-being, discussing controversies related to weight and health including excessive dieting, and providing real-world scenarios that clearly illustrate major concepts related to weight and health. The book also summarizes a relatively new and still controversial approach to improving well-being that takes the focus off the number on the scale. But can individuals really be happy and healthy at any size


Controversies in Obesity

Controversies in Obesity

Author: David W. Haslam

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-12-11

Total Pages: 295

ISBN-13: 1447128346

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This book explores the pathophysiology, clinical assessment and management of the obese patient in the context of serious chronic disease, as well as the political and environmental aspects, including prevention. The book's approach of arriving at an exploration of these issues through the vehicle of assessing the controversies is unique and interesting, attempting to debunk the myths and explore the genuine science whilst demonstrating areas where healthy debate is rife.


Book Synopsis Controversies in Obesity by : David W. Haslam

Download or read book Controversies in Obesity written by David W. Haslam and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-12-11 with total page 295 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the pathophysiology, clinical assessment and management of the obese patient in the context of serious chronic disease, as well as the political and environmental aspects, including prevention. The book's approach of arriving at an exploration of these issues through the vehicle of assessing the controversies is unique and interesting, attempting to debunk the myths and explore the genuine science whilst demonstrating areas where healthy debate is rife.


Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries

Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2011-06-27

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 0309217105

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During the last 25 years, life expectancy at age 50 in the United States has been rising, but at a slower pace than in many other high-income countries, such as Japan and Australia. This difference is particularly notable given that the United States spends more on health care than any other nation. Concerned about this divergence, the National Institute on Aging asked the National Research Council to examine evidence on its possible causes. According to Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries, the nation's history of heavy smoking is a major reason why lifespans in the United States fall short of those in many other high-income nations. Evidence suggests that current obesity levels play a substantial part as well. The book reports that lack of universal access to health care in the U.S. also has increased mortality and reduced life expectancy, though this is a less significant factor for those over age 65 because of Medicare access. For the main causes of death at older ages -- cancer and cardiovascular disease -- available indicators do not suggest that the U.S. health care system is failing to prevent deaths that would be averted elsewhere. In fact, cancer detection and survival appear to be better in the U.S. than in most other high-income nations, and survival rates following a heart attack also are favorable. Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries identifies many gaps in research. For instance, while lung cancer deaths are a reliable marker of the damage from smoking, no clear-cut marker exists for obesity, physical inactivity, social integration, or other risks considered in this book. Moreover, evaluation of these risk factors is based on observational studies, which -- unlike randomized controlled trials -- are subject to many biases.


Book Synopsis Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries by : National Research Council

Download or read book Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2011-06-27 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: During the last 25 years, life expectancy at age 50 in the United States has been rising, but at a slower pace than in many other high-income countries, such as Japan and Australia. This difference is particularly notable given that the United States spends more on health care than any other nation. Concerned about this divergence, the National Institute on Aging asked the National Research Council to examine evidence on its possible causes. According to Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries, the nation's history of heavy smoking is a major reason why lifespans in the United States fall short of those in many other high-income nations. Evidence suggests that current obesity levels play a substantial part as well. The book reports that lack of universal access to health care in the U.S. also has increased mortality and reduced life expectancy, though this is a less significant factor for those over age 65 because of Medicare access. For the main causes of death at older ages -- cancer and cardiovascular disease -- available indicators do not suggest that the U.S. health care system is failing to prevent deaths that would be averted elsewhere. In fact, cancer detection and survival appear to be better in the U.S. than in most other high-income nations, and survival rates following a heart attack also are favorable. Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries identifies many gaps in research. For instance, while lung cancer deaths are a reliable marker of the damage from smoking, no clear-cut marker exists for obesity, physical inactivity, social integration, or other risks considered in this book. Moreover, evaluation of these risk factors is based on observational studies, which -- unlike randomized controlled trials -- are subject to many biases.


Obesity Discourse and Fat Politics

Obesity Discourse and Fat Politics

Author: Lee Monaghan

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2015-12-22

Total Pages: 188

ISBN-13: 1317748158

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There is considerable rhetoric and concern about weight and obesity across an increasing range of national contexts. Alarmist claims about an ‘obesity time-bomb’ are continually recycled in policy reports, reviews and white papers, each of which begin with the assumption that fatness is fundamentally unhealthy and damaging to national economies. With contributions from the UK, Canada, the USA and Australia, this book offers alternative critical perspectives on this alleged public health crisis which were, in part, developed through an Economic and Social Research Council seminar series on Fat Studies and Health at Every Size (HAES). Written by scholars from a range of disciplines and the health professions, themes include: an interrogation of statistical procedures used to construct the obesity epidemic, overweight and obesity as cultural signifiers for Type 2 diabetes, understandings of healthy eating and healthy weight in a ‘problem’ population, gendered expectations on men and women to lose weight, the visual representation of obesity, tensions when researching (anti-)fatness, critical dietitians’ engagement with HAES, alternative ways of promoting physical activity, and representations of obesity in the media. This book was originally published as a special issue of Critical Public Health.


Book Synopsis Obesity Discourse and Fat Politics by : Lee Monaghan

Download or read book Obesity Discourse and Fat Politics written by Lee Monaghan and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2015-12-22 with total page 188 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There is considerable rhetoric and concern about weight and obesity across an increasing range of national contexts. Alarmist claims about an ‘obesity time-bomb’ are continually recycled in policy reports, reviews and white papers, each of which begin with the assumption that fatness is fundamentally unhealthy and damaging to national economies. With contributions from the UK, Canada, the USA and Australia, this book offers alternative critical perspectives on this alleged public health crisis which were, in part, developed through an Economic and Social Research Council seminar series on Fat Studies and Health at Every Size (HAES). Written by scholars from a range of disciplines and the health professions, themes include: an interrogation of statistical procedures used to construct the obesity epidemic, overweight and obesity as cultural signifiers for Type 2 diabetes, understandings of healthy eating and healthy weight in a ‘problem’ population, gendered expectations on men and women to lose weight, the visual representation of obesity, tensions when researching (anti-)fatness, critical dietitians’ engagement with HAES, alternative ways of promoting physical activity, and representations of obesity in the media. This book was originally published as a special issue of Critical Public Health.


Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity

Author: Kristin Voigt

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2014-03-28

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 0199362629

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Childhood obesity has become a central concern in many countries and a range of policies have been implemented or proposed to address it. This co-authored book is the first to focus on the ethical and policy questions raised by childhood obesity and its prevention. Throughout the book, authors Kristin Voigt, Stuart G. Nicholls, and Garrath Williams emphasize that childhood obesity is a multi-faceted phenomenon, and just one of many issues that parents, schools and societies face. They argue that it is important to acknowledge the resulting complexities and not to think in terms "single-issue" policies. After first reviewing some of the factual uncertainties about childhood obesity, the authors explore central ethical questions. What priority should be given to preventing obesity? To what extent are parents responsible? How should we think about questions of stigma and inequality? In the second part of the book, the authors consider key policy issues, including the concept of the 'obesogenic environment,' debates about taxation and marketing, and the role that schools can play in obesity prevention. The authors argue that political debate is needed to decide the importance given to childhood obesity and how to divide responsibilities for action. These debates have no simple answers. Nonetheless, the authors argue that there are reasons for hope. There are a wide range of opportunities for action. Many of these options also promise wider social benefits.


Book Synopsis Childhood Obesity by : Kristin Voigt

Download or read book Childhood Obesity written by Kristin Voigt and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2014-03-28 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Childhood obesity has become a central concern in many countries and a range of policies have been implemented or proposed to address it. This co-authored book is the first to focus on the ethical and policy questions raised by childhood obesity and its prevention. Throughout the book, authors Kristin Voigt, Stuart G. Nicholls, and Garrath Williams emphasize that childhood obesity is a multi-faceted phenomenon, and just one of many issues that parents, schools and societies face. They argue that it is important to acknowledge the resulting complexities and not to think in terms "single-issue" policies. After first reviewing some of the factual uncertainties about childhood obesity, the authors explore central ethical questions. What priority should be given to preventing obesity? To what extent are parents responsible? How should we think about questions of stigma and inequality? In the second part of the book, the authors consider key policy issues, including the concept of the 'obesogenic environment,' debates about taxation and marketing, and the role that schools can play in obesity prevention. The authors argue that political debate is needed to decide the importance given to childhood obesity and how to divide responsibilities for action. These debates have no simple answers. Nonetheless, the authors argue that there are reasons for hope. There are a wide range of opportunities for action. Many of these options also promise wider social benefits.


The End of the Obesity Epidemic

The End of the Obesity Epidemic

Author: Michael Gard

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2010-11-05

Total Pages: 206

ISBN-13: 1134009704

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Despite apocalyptic predictions from a vocal alliance of health professionals, politicians and social commentators that rising obesity levels would lead to a global health crisis, the crisis has not materialised. Offering a road map through the maze of claims and counter-claims, while still holding to a sceptical standpoint, The End of the Obesity Epidemic provides an unparalleled anatomy of obesity as a scientific, political and cultural issue. It is essential reading for anybody with an interest in the science or sociology of health and lifestyle.


Book Synopsis The End of the Obesity Epidemic by : Michael Gard

Download or read book The End of the Obesity Epidemic written by Michael Gard and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2010-11-05 with total page 206 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite apocalyptic predictions from a vocal alliance of health professionals, politicians and social commentators that rising obesity levels would lead to a global health crisis, the crisis has not materialised. Offering a road map through the maze of claims and counter-claims, while still holding to a sceptical standpoint, The End of the Obesity Epidemic provides an unparalleled anatomy of obesity as a scientific, political and cultural issue. It is essential reading for anybody with an interest in the science or sociology of health and lifestyle.


What's Wrong with Fat?

What's Wrong with Fat?

Author: Abigail Saguy

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2013-01-31

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 0199857083

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What's Wrong with Fat? examines the social implications of understanding fatness as a medical health risk, disease, and epidemic. Examining the ways in which debates over fatness have developed, Abigail Saguy argues that the obesity crisis literally makes us fat, intensifies negative body image, and justifies weight-based discrimination.


Book Synopsis What's Wrong with Fat? by : Abigail Saguy

Download or read book What's Wrong with Fat? written by Abigail Saguy and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2013-01-31 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What's Wrong with Fat? examines the social implications of understanding fatness as a medical health risk, disease, and epidemic. Examining the ways in which debates over fatness have developed, Abigail Saguy argues that the obesity crisis literally makes us fat, intensifies negative body image, and justifies weight-based discrimination.


The Oxford Handbook of the Social Science of Obesity

The Oxford Handbook of the Social Science of Obesity

Author: John Cawley

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2011-08-08

Total Pages: 912

ISBN-13: 0199876177

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There is an urgent need to better understand the causes and consequences of obesity, and to learn what works to prevent or reduce obesity. This volume accurately and conveniently summarizes the findings and insights of obesity-related research from the full range of social sciences including anthropology, economics, government, psychology, and sociology. It is an excellent resource for researchers in these areas, both bringing them up to date on the relevant research in their own discipline and allowing them to quickly and easily understand the cutting-edge research being produced in other disciplines. The Oxford Handbook of the Social Science of Obesity is a critical reference for obesity researchers and is also valuable for public health officials, policymakers, nutritionists, and medical practitioners. The first section of the book explains how each social science discipline models human behavior (in particular, diet and physical activity), and summarizes the major research literatures on obesity in that discipline. The second section provides important practical information for researchers, including a guide to publicly available social science data on obesity and an overview of the challenges to causal inference in obesity research. The third part of the book synthesizes social science research on specific causes and correlates of obesity, such as food advertising, food prices, and peers. The fourth section summarizes social science research on the consequences of obesity, such as lower wages, job absenteeism, and discrimination. The fifth and final section reviews the social science literature on obesity treatment and prevention, such as food taxes, school-based interventions, and medical treatments such as anti-obesity drugs and bariatric surgery.


Book Synopsis The Oxford Handbook of the Social Science of Obesity by : John Cawley

Download or read book The Oxford Handbook of the Social Science of Obesity written by John Cawley and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2011-08-08 with total page 912 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There is an urgent need to better understand the causes and consequences of obesity, and to learn what works to prevent or reduce obesity. This volume accurately and conveniently summarizes the findings and insights of obesity-related research from the full range of social sciences including anthropology, economics, government, psychology, and sociology. It is an excellent resource for researchers in these areas, both bringing them up to date on the relevant research in their own discipline and allowing them to quickly and easily understand the cutting-edge research being produced in other disciplines. The Oxford Handbook of the Social Science of Obesity is a critical reference for obesity researchers and is also valuable for public health officials, policymakers, nutritionists, and medical practitioners. The first section of the book explains how each social science discipline models human behavior (in particular, diet and physical activity), and summarizes the major research literatures on obesity in that discipline. The second section provides important practical information for researchers, including a guide to publicly available social science data on obesity and an overview of the challenges to causal inference in obesity research. The third part of the book synthesizes social science research on specific causes and correlates of obesity, such as food advertising, food prices, and peers. The fourth section summarizes social science research on the consequences of obesity, such as lower wages, job absenteeism, and discrimination. The fifth and final section reviews the social science literature on obesity treatment and prevention, such as food taxes, school-based interventions, and medical treatments such as anti-obesity drugs and bariatric surgery.