Author Description

Obesity is a Societal Concern Why We Must Focus on Prevention and Less on Diets Our nation faces a starling epidemic--the dramatic growth of overweight and obesity. In the last two decades the percentage of the population that is obese has doubled. The accelerated growth in obesity among children is particularly troubling. Diets don´t work for most people. Amidst the clamor for easy answers to weight, the very serious consequences for health are often overlooked. Americans are dying from obesity-related diseases that are preventable. Obesity-related costs are also rising dramatically. Author Kent M. Weeks argues that we need to reframe the public agenda to focus on the health benefits of maintaining healthy weight and on the prevention of weight gain. Moreover, we need to focus on children. He carefully examines the causes of this starling epidemic and zeroes in on the efforts that are need to address the problem: > Supporting individuals to make wise choices > Encouraging actions by employers and health practitioners > Changing public policies and interventions > Encouraging the marketplace to provide more healthy options Behind the statistics are human faces. The book contains an interview of Stanley, who weights 300 pounds and has lost around l,000 pounds in a series of dieting attempts. The sixty year-old candidly shares his concerns and difficulties in managing his weight. Stanley is everyone who has experienced lifelong dieting and weight gain. Weeks sees hopeful signs in all of these areas. He has broad experience as an attorney, professor, writer and lecturer--both nationally and internationally. Weeks has a deep commitment to children; he has devoted several years to researching, interviewing, consulting, writing, and reflecting about obesity and its implications.