Critique de Doody's Book

This is a comprehensive and authoritative collection of knowledge of all areas relevant to the dual fields of eating disorders and obesity. The second edition is not merely a recapitulation of the first edition published in 1995, but has all newly written chapters covering previous topics with an impressive expansion of chapters on regulation of body weight and eating. The purpose is to strengthen the connections between the eating disorders and obesity fields and to provide a comprehensive account of knowledge in the two areas. Communication between these two fields is a particularly important goal now in these days when obesity is an epidemic in the western world. By extensive cross-referencing in the different parts of this book and particular attention to topics relevant to both fields, the book's goals are largely achieved. The book is written for an audience of practitioners and researchers in the fields of eating disorders and obesity. The multiple authors have all published extensively in their respective areas. This book is organized into three broad parts, the foundation, eating disorders, and obesity. When reading the basic regulation of eating and body weight and dieting in the foundation part, one can't help but realize the theoretical relevance regardless of one's specialty interest. The chapters are short but comprehensive and introduce the reader to the most salient features of each topic. There are appropriate tables and graphs which aid in comprehension of the material. The lack of in-text references could be construed as a shortcoming in this book, but may actually better represent a true overview. This is an extremely useful tool in the eating disorder and obesity fields and provides a fruitful marriage between these two fields which previous books have failed to achieve. Thomas R. Scales, MD(Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center). Copyright 2001, Doody Publishing