Obesity is a global ticking health time bomb. In the UK, a quarter of children are overweight, and a third of British adults are forecast to be obese by 2010, while in the US, more than 64 per cent of US adults are either overweight or obese, a trend seen as a real threat to lifespan. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer to name but the major health hazards - the rate of diabetes is set to double because of obesity. Contrary to popular thought, the obesity epidemic is not restricted to industrialized societies; in developing countries, it is estimated that over 115 million people suffer from obesity-related problems. However, confusion reigns as to how to tackle the problem, with a multiplicity of advice on diet, exercise, health and lifestyle. This book takes a comprehensive look at the complex physical and psychological factors that contribute to this preventable threat to health. Subjects covered include: definitions of obesity and 'ideal weights'; emotional and psychological aspects of over-eating; diet and body size myths; health risks of obesity; medical conditions that may contribute to becoming overweight; why diets don't work; and food for health - how to limit weight gain.

PHILIPPA PIGACHE is an award winning journalist and acclaimed medical science writer with more than thirty years' experience. She is author of the Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sheldon Press 2005, which won a Medical Journalists' Association award.