Rethinking Thin: The New Science of Weight Loss--and the Myths and Realities of Dieting

A New York Times Book Review Editors ChoiceIn this eye-opening report New York Times science writer Gina Kolata shows that our societys obsession with dieting is less about keeping trim and staying healthy than about money power trends and impossible ideals. Kolatas account of four determined dieters in a study comparing the Atkins diet to a low-calorie one becomes a broad tale of science and society of social mores and social sanctions and of the place of diets in American society. Brimming with anecdote scientific data and common sense Rethinking Thin offers a challenge to the conventional wisdom about diets and weight loss.