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Understanding Obesity informs readers about contributing factors to obesity: from social and behavioral determinants throughout the life course, influences from before we are born to what we eat (nutrients and food contaminants which impact body weight), gut bacteria, and the way accumulated energy from nutrition is spent. Chapters will also inform readers about adipose tissue (the dynamic role of the adipose tissue during obesity development, the pressure put on to its remodeling and differences in obesity phenotypes regarding association with pathological outcomes as well as the latest advances in finding biological markers of adipose tissue dysfunction) and the latest treatment options for obesity. Special topics, such as the bidirectional relationship of stress with obesity and the influence of aging on the onset of metabolic disorders that lead to obesity are also discussed. Understanding Obesity is a valuable reference for health researchers, practitioners (endocrinologists, family physicians, nurses), as well as decision-makers in healthcare and other professional settings who are seeking a holistic understanding about the causes of obesity and ways to address it. Key Features: - 17 chapters cover obesity from a diverse range of perspectives - medical information is presented (adipose physiology and different disease conditions relevant to obesity) - educational, social and psychological issues as central when caring for obesity patients are emphasized - the latest information on obesity treatment options (including medical, pharmaceutical and surgical options) is included - bibliographic references have been provided for further reading.

Cover -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Introduction -- Chapter 1 What Is Obesity? -- OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE? -- WHAT CAUSES OBESITY? -- MEAN GENES -- Chapter 2 What's the Big Deal? -- DISCRIMINATION: AN UGLY WORD -- HOW DO PEOPLE BECOME PREJUDICED? -- THE OBESE: THE LATEST VICTIMS -- Chapter 3 Whom Does Obesity Discrimination Hurt? -- DISCRIMINATE? WHO ME? -- DISCRIMINATION TEST -- Chapter 4 Obesity Discrimination and the Law -- DISCRIMINATION BY PROFESSIONALS -- DISCRIMINATION IN DAILY LIFE -- Chapter 5 The Effects of Obesity Discrimination -- WHAT ARE PEOPLE DOING ABOUT OBESITY DISCRIMINATION? -- Speaking Out -- Accepting Ourselves -- Fighting for Rights -- WAYS YOU CAN DEAL WITH WEIGHT DISCRIMINATION -- TEN GREAT QUESTIONS TO ASK A DOCTOR -- WHAT NOW? -- Glossary -- For More Information -- Web Sites -- For Further Reading -- Bibliography -- Index -- About the Author -- Photo Credits

Most people have some dissatisfaction or concern about body weight, fatness, or obesity, either personally or professionally. This book shows how the popular understanding of obesity is often at odds with scientific understandings, and how misunderstandings about people with obesity can further contribute to the problem. It describes, in an approachable way, interconnected debates about obesity in public policy, medicine and public health, and how media and social media engage people in everyday life in those debates. In chapters considering body fat and fatness, genetics, metabolism, food and eating, inequality, blame and stigma, and physical activity, this book brings separate domains of obesity research into the field of complexity. By doing so, it aids navigation through the minefield of misunderstandings about body weight, fatness, and obesity that exist today, after decades of mostly failed policies and interventions.

In his 2014 article, 'Food Price Inflation as Redistribution', Joseph Baines shows the intimate correspondence between differential profit and world hunger. But the capitalization of food is a dialectical process. As Michael Harrington noted more than half a century ago in his seminal book 'The Other America', the other side of affluence is poverty; and among the American poor, the other side of hunger is overweight and obesity. Over the next fifty years, the global proportion of undernourished people has diminished while that of the obese has risen; and since the early 2000s, for the first time in history, the obese have outnumbered the undernourished. How has this remarkable hunger-to-obesity transformation evolved? What forms of capital drive the obesity epidemic, including its counter-movements of anti-obesity drugs, non-communicable disease treatments, diets, surgical fixes and psychological interventions? What are the material/ideal technologies that shift the world toward ever more destructive yet profitable forms of mass overfeeding? What policies and legislation have supported this shift, and how have they been imposed on the world's population? And most importantly, what are the qualitative and quantitative links, if any, between these various strategies of sabotage on the one hand and differential profit and capitalization on the other?

It has become increasingly difficult to keep up with the growing body of literature on the genetics, metabolic phenotype and treatment of obesity. This volume brings together an array of chapters from many of the foremost authorities and researchers in this area. Key advances in the genetics of obesity are summarized and the effects of obesity in pregnancy, childhood and old age explored. By scrutinizing the hormones and enzymes most recently implicated in the development, maintenance and consequences of obesity, the biochemical and physiological background of the abnormal metabolism of obesity is mapped out. Furthermore, a practical update on clinical approach and treatment of obesity is offered. Finally, the social aspects of obesity and the view of the obese body in art throughout the centuries are reflected.A valuable overview of causes, metabolic disturbances and treatment options, this volume will appeal to those with an interest in clinical as well as pathophysiological and genetic aspects of obesity. Furthermore, it will provide useful reading for scientists and students who would like to broaden and update their knowledge in this area

Obesity is a relatively new and controversial field of medicine. Some of the controversies surrounding obesity can be dismissed as myths, others reveal the lack of consensus and comprehensive knowledge which exist in obesity and its complex relationship with diabetes and other serious long-term conditions. Controversies in Obesity takes the unique approach of assessing the controversies surrounding obesity, thus seeking to debunk the myths and highlight and explore the genuine science, whilst demonstrating areas where there is healthy debate. This book will appeal to primary care physicians, trainees and specialist nurses involved in care of the obese patient, and would be of interest to anyone who wishes to gain a better understanding of the complex nature of obesity and its management.

In his 2014 article, 'Food Price Inflation as Redistribution', Joseph Baines shows the intimate correspondence between differential profit and world hunger. But the capitalization of food is a dialectical process. As Michael Harrington noted more than half a century ago in his seminal book 'The Other America', the other side of affluence is poverty; and among the American poor, the other side of hunger is overweight and obesity. Over the next fifty years, the global proportion of undernourished people has diminished while that of the obese has risen; and since the early 2000s, for the first time in history, the obese have outnumbered the undernourished. How has this remarkable hunger-to-obesity transformation evolved? What forms of capital drive the obesity epidemic, including its counter-movements of anti-obesity drugs, non-communicable disease treatments, diets, surgical fixes and psychological interventions? What are the material/ideal technologies that shift the world toward ever more destructive yet profitable forms of mass overfeeding? What policies and legislation have supported this shift, and how have they been imposed on the world's population? And most importantly, what are the qualitative and quantitative links, if any, between these various strategies of sabotage on the one hand and differential profit and capitalization on the other?

Upon first glance, obesity might be seemingly easy to solve— eat healthily, go to the gym and lose weight. Unbeknownst to a vast majority of the public, this problem has engulfed almost 37% of the American population with systemic issues affecting a myriad of demographics. This is exactly what makes it a wicked problem (Rittel & Webber, 1973). Layers of systemic and systematic interconnectivity bury complications from the public eye, making large-scale issues like obesity difficult to tackle. Our group aims to uncover this complex system by analyzing the problem with a scalar approach, allowing a multitude of stakeholders to place themselves within distinct problem spaces throughout a micro-to-macro scope. By pinpointing clusters of defects and flaws, then filtering them through STEEP (Social, Technological, Economic, Ecologic, Political) lenses, the map clarifies interdependencies within the various aspects of our daily lives. Through this process of breakdown and analysis, we were able to identify harmful feedback loops and formulate targeted interventions to break the cycle. Our gigamap presents a complex system in an accessible format aiming to provoke a unifying interaction amongst users, inform at all levels, hopefully, engage them to get to a healthier America.

""This work, featuring a reading level appropriate for high school audiences and above, is recommended for academic and public libraries.""-Library Journal The Encyclopedia of Obesity is as much of a reference resource as it is a tool to raise awareness in the medical and public health communities. With almost 500 entries, these two volume summarize pertinent topics in obesity and related health conditions, including molecular biology, psychology, medicine, public health and policy, food science, environmental health, and pharmaceuticals. The editor has chosen topics that capture the current

Front Cover -- Obesity and Gynecology -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Contents -- List of contributors -- About the editors -- Preface-obesity in gynaecology -- 1 Obesity and adolescence -- 1 Obesity and the onset of adolescence -- Obesity in childhood and adolescence: definition -- Obesity in childhood and adolescence: incidence -- Obesity in children and adolescents: etiology -- Obesity and puberty: pathophysiology -- Obesity and pubertal development -- Obesity in childhood and adolescence: clinical manifestation -- Obesity in children and adolescents: counseling -- Obesity in children and adolescents: management -- References -- 2 Obesity in adolescence -- Introduction -- Prevalence of childhood obesity: a global perspective -- Obesity and the pubertal transition -- Factors affecting childhood and adolescent obesity -- Adolescent obesity-adverse outcomes -- General -- Psychological effects -- The metabolic syndrome -- Polycystic ovarian syndrome in adolescence -- Obstetric outcomes in obese adolescents -- The impact of childhood and adolescent obesity on adult health -- Management principles -- Prevention -- Lifestyle interventions -- Drugs -- Surgery -- Management of polycystic ovarian syndrome in adolescence -- Combined oral contraceptive pills -- Insulin sensitizers -- Psychological morbidity -- Conclusion -- References -- 3 Obesity in polycystic ovary syndrome and infertility -- Introduction -- Obesity and infertility-possible mechanisms -- Hyperandrogenism -- Hypersecretion of luteinizing hormone -- Hyperinsulinemia -- Adipokines -- Leptin -- Adiponectin -- Interleukin-6 -- Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 -- Resistin -- Tumor necrosis factor-α -- Ghrelin -- Other biomarkers -- Impact of obesity on infertility treatment -- Diet Lifestyle Bariatric surgery -- Clomiphene citrate -- Aromatase inhibitors.