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Edited by Albert J. Stunkard. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1980, 470 pp., $28.00.
Obesity is a complex medical and psychosocial phenomenon. There is an abundance of empirical observations, new findings, and a growing number of theories on the subject. Many specialists in research or clinical practices may not be fully aware of important work in related fields. Dr. Stunkard, a recognized authority on the subject of obesity, has attempted to integrate these different areas, bringing together descriptions of the skills and attitudes of those working in the field. The first section, "Basic Mechanisms," explores the genetic, physiological, biochemical, pharmacological, and experimental psychological theories about obesity. This is an admirable attempt to present many current theories and controversies concerning them. This section is no light reading. It is technical and demands considerable effort from the reader. The second section is devoted to "Treatment" and examines the different treatment modalities available. This covers a wide range from a flow chart "algorithm," which is ahelpful practical tool to both physician and patient, to chapters on diet, physical activity, drugs, surgical procedures, self-help groups, social environment, behavior modification, and psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. There are also chapters on obstetrical problems in obese patients and on obesity in childhood.
Of special interest is a chapter on behavior modification, which provides a summary of the current status of this modality of treatment. Unfortunately, the results are short-term, variable, and rather disappointing—especially in the area of maintenance of weight loss. Some of this chapter could be looked at with an added dynamic perspective,