The psychology of eating : from healthy to disordered behavior /

The explosion of research on food issues has been so extreme that this book, initially published in 2004, is now in its second edition. A highly respected scholar, Ogden (health psychology, Univ. of Surrey, UK) has done a masterful job of updating the book and, more important, integrating the interdisciplinary research findings into a broad-based framework. Accordingly, this is the most comprehensive treatment of the subject currently available. Although the author covers all the standard topics (e.g., the causes and consequences of obesity), she also examines "the meaning of food" and "the meaning of size"—in so doing treating issues ranging from cannibalism to corsets. In looking at the social context of healthy and disordered eating, the author links cultural norms, communication, conflict, and issues of identity and control. Each of the 12 chapters concludes with a boxed summary ("Towards an Integrated Model of Diet") in which Ogden distills the key factors that contribute to the model. Ogden's writing style is engaging, and her model of diet creative and useful. Including 62 pages of scholarly references, this comprehensive volume offers a feast of information. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. R. Kabatznick The Center for Mindful Eating