Too fat or too thin? : a reference guide to eating disorders /

Kalodner (Towson Univ.) has written a readable, manageable, and useful introduction to a complicated and confusing topic. A licensed psychologist, she provides background information, statistical data, case examples, resources, and American Psychological Association recommendations. She explains the distinctions between disorders and disordered eating, focusing specifically on anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, body dysmorphic disorder, and more. She discusses common factors of dissatisfaction with body shape and weight, ethnic and gender issues, including case studies of both females and males, medical complications, sociocultural influences, special populations, psycho-education, prevention, and treatment programs. Each chapter begins with sample quotations from women who have recovered; then terms are defined, certain issues highlighted and discussed, and research reviewed. Extensive Web site reviews and recommended resources, including fiction, autobiographies and biographies, enhance the text. A few criticisms are the minor typos (one is in the dedication), too brief an index, and inexpensive binding for an overpriced book. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. General readers, undergraduates, and two-year technical program students. E. R. Paterson SUNY College at Cortland