Geographies of Obesity ─ Environmental Understandings of the Obesity Epidemic

The 13 articles of this thought-provoking collection discuss geography's role in obesity, focusing in part on the simple formula of quantity and type of energy consumed compared to energy spent. Pearce (geography, U. of Edinburgh, the UK) and Witten (Massey U., New Zealand) contribute introductory and concluding chapters. Barry M. Popkin (global nutrition, U. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) provides an overview chapter on the emerging obesity epidemic. Topics include the role of urban and other developed environments in discouraging walking, cycling and other exercise, particularly among children; the increase in sedentary activities; and the prevalence of high-calorie processed foods in industrialized nations, with extensive analysis of current research and the research methods used to quantify these developments. Several chapters detail policy responses to environments that foster obesity and each chapter concludes with a lengthy list of references. This is a well-rounded and up-to-date resource that will be useful to a wide readership in public health and related fields. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Jamie Pearce, University of Edinburgh, UK and Karen Witten, Massey University, New Zealand