There are countless diet and weight-loss books cluttering the shelves, most inadequate, some even scientifically or medically unsound. This volume unlocks the science that explains how your body manages energy and stabilizes at your ideal weight.

In plainspoken prose, the author explains the physiology and biochemistry of weight gain and loss. He outlines: causes of overweight; health concerns in dieting; how metabolism and genetics factor into weight control; what you can do to work with, rather than against, your body's processes; and critiques popular diet programs, medications, supplements, and home tests.

Also included are: exercise programs for various fitness levels; healthful recipes; sample menus; and a complete thirty-day program.