The Body Size and Health Debate

(Hardback)

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Description

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. * Presents a different perspective on the nation's "obesity epidemic" with information about the effectiveness of the current method of measuring obesity, body mass index (BMI) * Provides the most current data about the rate of obesity among both sexes, various age groups, and different ethnicities * Examines the social and political efforts to address obesity in the United States along with the impact of these efforts on those who are obese * Discusses an alternative to weight loss designed to focus on health behaviors rather than how much someone weighs

Reviews

This book by Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Certified Sport Psychology Consultant Christine L. B. Selby, PhD, addresses sensitive topics with dignity, compassion, and understanding. This book is an easy read with well-developed chapters. . . . This superior contribution rings controversial bell tones that contradict many negative self-image beliefs, motivate positive acceptance, and enhance self-esteem. Every high school, community college, and university should consider adding this book to resource collections. Library acquisition decision-makers will consider this contribution appropriate for health services and counseling centers. Commercial bookstores may discover this book as appropriate for self-help shelves. * ARBA *
This is a useful resource for school, public, and consumer-health libraries. * Booklist Online *
This book encourages readers to consider health from a multidimensional lens, challenging them to question traditional (and potentially outdated) views of body shape and size. The text's nine informative chapters are amply supported with a section of case scenarios to illustrate concepts discussed, along with a helpful glossary and bibliography. A compelling and timely exploration of a topic relevant to both research and practice. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals. * Choice *

Author Bio

Christine L. B. Selby, PhD, is associate professor of psychology at Husson University, Bangor, ME, where she teaches introductory and upper-level psychology courses, including a specialized course on eating disorders.