The Obesity Reality: A Comprehensive Approach to a Growing Problem

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that shows no signs of abating. Ali (Diabetes and You: A Comprehensive, Holistic Approach) offers readers an overview of the history of condition (from the Venus of Willendorf to the Catholic church's stance that obesity was "a punishment for gorgers"), its causes (e.g., sugary drinks), how it affects the health of the individual (e.g., increased risk of heart disease), how it affects society (e.g., taking up more and more of the total US medical expenditures) and how it can be addressed. In examining topics ranging from the role of the food industry, to how gastric bypass surgery works, to appropriate exercise regimens, Ali covers all of obesity's bases (except recipes). However, despite the breadth of this volume, Ali's work functions better as a general survey of what the author asserts is a dangerous disease, rather than an in-depth study of the eating epidemic. Occasionally dubious statistical syllogisms (e.g., noting that the U.S. national average for adult obesity in 1980 was 15%, then asserting that "Childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since 1980")%E2%80%94though thoroughly sourced in a detailed notes section%E2%80%94temper what might otherwise be powerful insights into the tipping of the scales. Still, Ali dutifully provides an extensive glossary of relevant terms, and a compendium of resources for folks struggling with obesity and those interested in further reading. (Mar.)