It's fair to say that Americans are obsessed with body size and weight--whether it's in the name of health and disease prevention or the idealization of unrealistically thin proportions. But trying to lose weight and drop clothing sizes is healthy, right? Or is it not healthy, in many cases?

In this book, the latest in Greenwood's Health and Medical Issues Today series, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Certified Sport Psychology Consultant Christine L. B. Selby, PhD, examines the often confusing information--and misinformation--that exists on obesity and...