Weighing In: Nutrition and Weight Management by Lesli J. Favor, Elizabeth Massie

From the Publisher

Have you ever wondered if you weigh a healthy amount? How can you know-and if you are overweight, how can you make a change? Having the right information and a plans is the way to start. Read Weighing In and learn about reaching and staying at a weight that is right for you.

Children's Literature

Part of the Marshall Cavendish series about "Food and Fitness," this book gives an overview of the problems of being overweight or obese for adolescents in today's society. The text is clear and readable, ranging from 7th-grade to 12th-grade reading level, averaging around ninth grade, making it slightly higher than what would be comfortable for most junior high students. Factual information is supported by charts, graphs, sidebars and notes indicating sources and further resources. Supplementary materials include a glossary and a well-formulated index as well as a list of further sources for research purposes. In addition, several appendixes give detailed nutritional information. As a nonfiction informational text, this would not be a text that was read from cover to cover, but could be used as a resource when researching a topic. Because of the high degree of organization and the textual supports, this would clearly be a useful text for this purpose. The chapter on weight loss is extremely helpful in that it describes the most common types of weight-loss programs available both commercially and medically, giving the advantages and disadvantages to all, particularly focusing on the effects of these programs on the health of the dieter. Photographs interspersed throughout the book primarily feature young women, consistent with the statement that "In a nationwide study of U.S. high school students, 62 percent of girls and 28 percent of boys said they were trying to lose weight" (p. 7). Reviewer: Wendy M. Smith-D'Arezzo

VOYA

The four books in this ôFood and Fitnessö series are clearly written guides to the role of food and nutrition, with a particular emphasis on teenagers. In Body Fuel, the author explains about how the body uses fat, protein, and carbohydrates; lets readers know which foods are healthier; and discusses vitamins and minerals. Shryer discusses the amounts and proportions people-particularly growing adolescents-need to keep healthy. Weighing In covers some of the same ground with an eye toward getting to and maintaining a healthy weight by eating healthy and getting enough exercise. The author warns readers away from fad diets with sound information about their effects on the body and why these methods do not keep the weight off. Both books take information than can be found easily on the Web and put it together into book form. There are helpful tips given throughout each title. Appendixes include charts for recommended intakes, as well as helpful further information (like some of those free Web sites from reputable agencies). Photos are stock. If the budget allows, these books, which also include titles on sports nutrition and eating disorders, will be useful for students who need everything laid out for them in very simple language. Reviewer: Alice F. Stern

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents