The Weight of the Nation: To Win We Have to Lose, by J. Hoffman & JA Salerno: New York, NY: St. Martin's Press, xi + 206 pp., $25.99 (hardcover)
K Kates-McElrath, S Axelrod - 2013 - Taylor & Francis
K Kates-McElrath, S Axelrod
2013•Taylor & FrancisObesity is a pervasive problem in the United States, and Hoffman and Salerno do an
exceptional job of detailing the extent of the problem. Not only does this problem affect the
health of our citizens, it is a multi-billion dollar expense to the health system, with no group
or individual immune from it. At present, two-thirds of Americans are estimated to be either
overweight or obese, while only half a century ago obesity was rare in the United States. The
present book is a serious effort to combat the problem. It is in collaboration with a Home Box …
exceptional job of detailing the extent of the problem. Not only does this problem affect the
health of our citizens, it is a multi-billion dollar expense to the health system, with no group
or individual immune from it. At present, two-thirds of Americans are estimated to be either
overweight or obese, while only half a century ago obesity was rare in the United States. The
present book is a serious effort to combat the problem. It is in collaboration with a Home Box …
Obesity is a pervasive problem in the United States, and Hoffman and Salerno do an exceptional job of detailing the extent of the problem. Not only does this problem affect the health of our citizens, it is a multi-billion dollar expense to the health system, with no group or individual immune from it. At present, two-thirds of Americans are estimated to be either overweight or obese, while only half a century ago obesity was rare in the United States. The present book is a serious effort to combat the problem. It is in collaboration with a Home Box Office (HBO) documentary (http://theweightofthenation. hbo. com/films). Hoffman and Sal erno present their case in terms of “bad news,”“worst news,” and finally the “good news.” The “bad news” represents the extent of the obesity problem; the “worst news” is the current state of overall health for Americans, and the “good news” addresses what can be done to reverse and/or combat obesity. The causes of the obesity problem are identified at both the individual and societal levels, involving personal forces, agriculture, industry, and governmental issues. With the average American being almost 15 pounds overweight on bodies not designed to carry the extra weight, obesityrelated health problems and chronic diseases are becoming more prevalent. It is currently estimated that 27 million Americans are diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. Of those, 80% are estimated to be overweight. Each year, 112,000 premature deaths can be attributed to obesity; and by the year 2018, experts predict 75% of Americans will be overweight or obese. One primary concern of the book is children affected by obesity. According to Hoffman and Salerno, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have estimated 32% of all 2-to 19-year-olds to be obese. By comparison, in 1970 less than 5% of American
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