Dieting For Dummies

If you’ve been trying to lose weight for much of your adult life, you’re not alone. Excess weight is the No. 1 nutrition problem. The statistics are alarming: Of the ten leading causes of death in the United States, being overweight is a risk factor for half; and the number of Americans who are overweight is increasing. It’s estimated that 55 percent (or 97 million) American adults and 15 to 20 percent of American children are overweight today.

Dieting For Dummies goes straight to the heart of the health risks of being overweight. Carrying the baggage of excess pounds puts a lot of stress on your body. Your circulatory system and skeleton need to work harder when extra fat weighs you down, and you're far more susceptible to developing one or more of these health problems:

• Cancers
• Diabetes
• Gallbladder disease
• Heart disease
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Psychological and social effects
• Respiratory problems

Prepared under the supervision of the American Dietetic Association, this friendly, authoritative guide explains how to move beyond trendy diets and get-slim-quick gimmicks. You'll discover how to

• Define your own genetic body type – and the habits that feed the shape you're in
• Adjust your attitude toward food
• Figure out if you're facing an eating disorder
• Enjoy a life of menu moderation
• Add exercise to your plate
• Shop smart and healthy
• Enlist weight-loss professionals and programs wisely
• Gauge the nutrients in hundreds of foodstuffs
• Cook up homemade dishes for every taste and season

People come in a wide range of heights, weights, and girths. One is not better than another. But staying within your healthiest weight range can help you achieve optimal health and well-being. Dieting For Dummies cuts through the fog of fads and myths, providing practical advice you can apply today to start living healthfully.