As a society, we are more health conscious than ever before, yet one in four Americans is considered obese. The confusing bombardment of information we receive daily about diet and exercise has done little to answer the perennial question--What's the best way to lose weight

Separating fact from fiction, this book examines weight gain and health from a scientific point of view, describing what recent research tells us about how our bodies work, why we gain weight, and whether we should diet at all. Some of the topics covered are: the weight control drugs of yesterday, today and tomorrow; diet and exercise; the molecular and genetic basis of weight; is obesity a disease; getting thin the healthy way; the future of weight control.

Not a miracle program for weight loss, this book is a revealing look at how the scientific view of obesity has resulted in a new definition of fat;one that contains more biology and less guilt. It is essential reading for anyone, regardless of weight, who is interested in living a healthier life. No recipes.