- Email: [email protected]
Handbook of Obesity Treatment
382
Book reviews / Journal of Psychosomatic Research 56 (2004) 381–383
peutic benefits of animals come through the satisfaction of people’s need for attention (chapter 3). Next, research on the use of animals in therapy (chapter 4) and physiological and health benefits of animals (chapter 5) is described. These reviews would be useful for individuals who intend to do research in this area. The author then turns his attention to a description of neurotransmitters that he believes is involved in social interactions. However, his primary sources are popular books rather than peer-reviewed scientific journals. There is limited firm evidence that these neurotransmitters can be linked to the ‘‘neural biology’’ of social bonds. Chapters 6 and 7 describe a new experimental study completed by the author on the physiological responses of people and dogs interacting with each other. In this study, blood pressure and levels of neurotransmitters are collected from both humans and dogs during interactions in three different conditions: human with known dog, human with unknown dog, and human reading a book. Generally, across conditions, there was reduction of blood pressure and changes in neurotransmitters over time. However, the changes were greater when the human was interacting with a dog as opposed to reading a book. Further, the dogs showed similar physiological changes as did the humans. The author interpreted these findings as evidence of the physiological basis of social bonds. Unfortunately there are other explanations for the findings not considered. For example, neural –chemical changes may simply reflect a difference in physical activity from the initial phase of the study when the person (or dog) first comes into an unknown setting to a latter time when the participants have acclimated to their new environment. Chapter 8 provides a useful review of theories of human – animal bond for those interested in conceptualizing research in the area. The final chapter gives helpful advice to anyone interested in starting a program that uses animals as part of an intervention. The chapter is not informative, however, about psychotherapy itself, and the author demonstrates questionable understanding of the mental health field. The book argues that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary in the understanding of the benefits of animals to humans. One challenge of such an approach is that it is difficult for a single researcher to have sufficient knowledge across several different domains to adequately apply theories and methodologies to the study of human –animal interactions in a scientifically rigorous manner. Natalie Sachs-Ericsson Department of Psychology Florida State University, Tallahassee FL 32306, USA Tel.: +1-850-644-4576 E-mail address: [email protected] doi:10.1016/S0022-3999(03)00135-1
Handbook of Obesity Treatment Edited by Thomas A. Wadden and Albert J. Stunkard. Guilford Press, New York, NY, 2002. 624 pages, $65.00 The prevalence of obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions, with an estimated 97 million adults overweight or obese. Given the serious health and psychological risks associated with obesity, and its economic burden, improvement in the design and delivery of effective obesity treatment and prevention is critical. All professionals concerned about this intransigent problem will welcome the Handbook of Obesity Treatment, an unparalleled resource. Preeminent experts in the field, Wadden and Stunkard present a comprehensive review of empirically driven assessment, treatment, and prevention practices for obesity across the life span, with emphasis on adult obesity. They emphasize the complex nature of obesity and the importance of matching the most effective treatments to individuals. This edited book contains 27 chapters dedicated to prevalence, consequences, and etiology of obesity, health and psychosocial consequences of obesity and weight loss, assessment and treatment practices for children and adults, and obesity prevention. Contributors cogently explore the current knowledge base, presenting the latest findings and advances in the scientific study of weight management. The book has many strengths. All chapters are of the highest quality, informative, relevant, and scholarly. The text is formatted clearly, well-organized, and concise, making the book user-friendly for busy practitioners. The Handbook is distinguished from other recent obesity publications by its in-depth coverage of topics and its primary focus on treatment. The full range of obesity treatment approaches is wellrepresented, including diet, exercise, behavioral interventions, pharmacotherapy, surgery, and additional approaches. Multidisciplinary perspectives are put forth by physicians, surgeons, psychologists, fitness experts, geneticists, and nutritionists. Material presented provides a thorough understanding of the complexities involved in helping individuals lose weight and maintain losses, and directs practitioners toward both established interventions with demonstrated efficacy and recent innovations. The text focuses on delivery of effective treatments matched to individual profiles based on a variety of factors including weight status, medical comorbidities, and ethnic and psychosocial factors. Also included is information about popular diets, commercial and self-help programs, weight and self-esteem, a novel cognitive – behavioral approach to weight loss designed to improve weight loss maintenance, and nondieting approaches to weight management. Several recent shifts in perspective are highlighted, including the conceptualization of obesity as a chronic health condition requiring long-term care, promotion of realistic weight loss goals (10% reduction in body weight), recognition of the health benefits of modest weight losses, interventions targeting societal level changes, cost-effective methods to reach larger numbers of people,
Book reviews / Journal of Psychosomatic Research 56 (2004) 381–383
prevention initiatives, and the role of primary care physicians in administering patient care. The book is not intended to be a self-help guide or clinical manual per se. Hence, it is not a substitute for established clinical resources such as Dr. Kelley Brownell’s ‘‘LEARN’’ manual. Otherwise, the Handbook is required reading for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers who are committed to improving the health and well-being of overweight individuals.
383
Patty E. Matz Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 425 East 61st Street, PH Floor New York, NY 10021 Tel: +1-212-821-0708 E-mail address: [email protected] doi:10.1016/S0022-3999(03)00004-2
Book reviews / Journal of Psychosomatic Research 56 (2004) 381–383
peutic benefits of animals come through the satisfaction of people’s need for attention (chapter 3). Next, research on the use of animals in therapy (chapter 4) and physiological and health benefits of animals (chapter 5) is described. These reviews would be useful for individuals who intend to do research in this area. The author then turns his attention to a description of neurotransmitters that he believes is involved in social interactions. However, his primary sources are popular books rather than peer-reviewed scientific journals. There is limited firm evidence that these neurotransmitters can be linked to the ‘‘neural biology’’ of social bonds. Chapters 6 and 7 describe a new experimental study completed by the author on the physiological responses of people and dogs interacting with each other. In this study, blood pressure and levels of neurotransmitters are collected from both humans and dogs during interactions in three different conditions: human with known dog, human with unknown dog, and human reading a book. Generally, across conditions, there was reduction of blood pressure and changes in neurotransmitters over time. However, the changes were greater when the human was interacting with a dog as opposed to reading a book. Further, the dogs showed similar physiological changes as did the humans. The author interpreted these findings as evidence of the physiological basis of social bonds. Unfortunately there are other explanations for the findings not considered. For example, neural –chemical changes may simply reflect a difference in physical activity from the initial phase of the study when the person (or dog) first comes into an unknown setting to a latter time when the participants have acclimated to their new environment. Chapter 8 provides a useful review of theories of human – animal bond for those interested in conceptualizing research in the area. The final chapter gives helpful advice to anyone interested in starting a program that uses animals as part of an intervention. The chapter is not informative, however, about psychotherapy itself, and the author demonstrates questionable understanding of the mental health field. The book argues that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary in the understanding of the benefits of animals to humans. One challenge of such an approach is that it is difficult for a single researcher to have sufficient knowledge across several different domains to adequately apply theories and methodologies to the study of human –animal interactions in a scientifically rigorous manner. Natalie Sachs-Ericsson Department of Psychology Florida State University, Tallahassee FL 32306, USA Tel.: +1-850-644-4576 E-mail address: [email protected] doi:10.1016/S0022-3999(03)00135-1
Handbook of Obesity Treatment Edited by Thomas A. Wadden and Albert J. Stunkard. Guilford Press, New York, NY, 2002. 624 pages, $65.00 The prevalence of obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions, with an estimated 97 million adults overweight or obese. Given the serious health and psychological risks associated with obesity, and its economic burden, improvement in the design and delivery of effective obesity treatment and prevention is critical. All professionals concerned about this intransigent problem will welcome the Handbook of Obesity Treatment, an unparalleled resource. Preeminent experts in the field, Wadden and Stunkard present a comprehensive review of empirically driven assessment, treatment, and prevention practices for obesity across the life span, with emphasis on adult obesity. They emphasize the complex nature of obesity and the importance of matching the most effective treatments to individuals. This edited book contains 27 chapters dedicated to prevalence, consequences, and etiology of obesity, health and psychosocial consequences of obesity and weight loss, assessment and treatment practices for children and adults, and obesity prevention. Contributors cogently explore the current knowledge base, presenting the latest findings and advances in the scientific study of weight management. The book has many strengths. All chapters are of the highest quality, informative, relevant, and scholarly. The text is formatted clearly, well-organized, and concise, making the book user-friendly for busy practitioners. The Handbook is distinguished from other recent obesity publications by its in-depth coverage of topics and its primary focus on treatment. The full range of obesity treatment approaches is wellrepresented, including diet, exercise, behavioral interventions, pharmacotherapy, surgery, and additional approaches. Multidisciplinary perspectives are put forth by physicians, surgeons, psychologists, fitness experts, geneticists, and nutritionists. Material presented provides a thorough understanding of the complexities involved in helping individuals lose weight and maintain losses, and directs practitioners toward both established interventions with demonstrated efficacy and recent innovations. The text focuses on delivery of effective treatments matched to individual profiles based on a variety of factors including weight status, medical comorbidities, and ethnic and psychosocial factors. Also included is information about popular diets, commercial and self-help programs, weight and self-esteem, a novel cognitive – behavioral approach to weight loss designed to improve weight loss maintenance, and nondieting approaches to weight management. Several recent shifts in perspective are highlighted, including the conceptualization of obesity as a chronic health condition requiring long-term care, promotion of realistic weight loss goals (10% reduction in body weight), recognition of the health benefits of modest weight losses, interventions targeting societal level changes, cost-effective methods to reach larger numbers of people,
Book reviews / Journal of Psychosomatic Research 56 (2004) 381–383
prevention initiatives, and the role of primary care physicians in administering patient care. The book is not intended to be a self-help guide or clinical manual per se. Hence, it is not a substitute for established clinical resources such as Dr. Kelley Brownell’s ‘‘LEARN’’ manual. Otherwise, the Handbook is required reading for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers who are committed to improving the health and well-being of overweight individuals.
383
Patty E. Matz Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 425 East 61st Street, PH Floor New York, NY 10021 Tel: +1-212-821-0708 E-mail address: [email protected] doi:10.1016/S0022-3999(03)00004-2