Comprehensive in scope and meticulously researched, Handbook of Obesity Prevention analyzes the intricate causes of this public health crisis, and sets out concrete, multilevel strategies for meeting it head-on. This innovative handbook clearly defines obesity in clinical, epidemiologic, and financial terms, and offers guidelines for planning and implementing programs and evaluating results. This systematic approach to large-scale social and policy change gives all parties involved-from individual practitioners to multinational corporations-the tools to set and attain realistic goals based on solid evidence and best practice in public health. A sample of topics covered: The individual: risk factors and prevention across the lifespan, specific populations (pregnant women, ethnic and regional groups). Levers for change in schools and workplaces. Community settings: role of the physical environment. "De-marketing" obesity: food industries and the media. Grassroots action: consumers and communities. The global obesity epidemic: rapid developments, potential solutions. From obesity prevention to health promotion: the future of the field. Its level of detail and wide range of topics make the Handbook of Obesity Prevention a bedrock sourcebook, overview, reference, or teaching text. Read by topic or cover to cover, here is accurate, up-to-date information for professionals and students in all areas of public health.