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Women Afraid to Eat: Breaking Free in Today's Weight-Obsessed World
Women Afraid to Eat Breaking Free in Today's Weight-Obsessed World Author:Francie M. Berg, Frances M. Berg, Kendra Rosencrans Women today are caught up in a body-image crisis, afraid they'll gain weight, afraid they won't lose down to their goal, afraid to fully nourish themselves. They feel oversized in one part or another and wish they were thinner. The new book "Women Afraid to Eat: Breaking Free in a Weight-Obsessed World," by Frances M. Berg, probes why this is h... more »appening at a time when women have more freedom than ever before. What are the powerful forces acting on women that make them feel defective if not thin? How did it happen that a woman's value now is being judged by her degree of slimness, not her talent, insight or generosity? "Women Afraid to Eat" challenges the social and medical pressures to be thin. It shows in startling detail what the current warped norm for body shape, unachievable by most, is doing to women, how it harms them physically, emotionally and socially. It takes an authoritative look at the many issues that negatively affect eating and weight and how women feel about their bodies. The book explains why all four of the major weight and eating problems eating disorders, dysfunctional eating, overweight and size prejudice have intensified in modern society. Berg, a licensed nutritionist and adjunct professor at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, charges that the risks of obesity are being exaggerated, and the severe risks of eating disorders, malnutrition, and hazardous weight loss are ignored. Manipulation by the weight loss industry adds to the confusion and controversy, says the author. "If this industry made cars, no one would buy them, and if they did, consumer groups would force a recall." In its second part the book is a handbook for change at both the personal and cultural level. A philosophy shift is advocated that focuses on health, rather than weight. It offers a broad definition of health that includes positive feelings toward our bodies, and helps women reaffirm that they can be healthy at any size. It gives clear and specific guidelines on how women and those who work with women can bring about meaningful change to improve health and well-being. It encourages people to eat well, live actively, and feel good about themselves and others. The message for women is, "It's time for acceptance. Time for healing. Time to move on to health at any size fulfilling your rich potential in life. Everyone qualifies!" Berg's companion book "Children and Teens Afraid to Eat: Helping Youth in Today's Weight-Obsessed World," completely revised for 2001, documents even more severe problems for children. Berg who is editor of Healthy Weight Journal advocates a health at any size approach in which adults and children of all sizes receive consistent messages to "eat well, live actively and feel good about yourself and others," based on the Canadian Vitality program. To normalize eating, parents are urged to first end their own dieting, then teach children regular eating habits and to tune in to hunger and fullness signals. Together the two Afraid to Eat books, both with 21st century copyrights, offer a treasure trove of new information, charts, tips and how-to suggestions. They provide a wealth of research and insight for speakers, writers and students at all levels. Both are highly recommended by health, nutrition and library sources for both consumers and professionals. Excerpts available online at the website...« less