WEIGHT-LOSS MANAGEMENT - A PATH LIT DARKLY

This article reviews recent research on the prevalence and virulence o f obesity as a causal risk factor for mortality and morbidity. The pre vailing assumption that obesity, by itself, is a chronic disease or a primary risk factor for health is challenged. A historical perspective is used to analyze the efficacy of various medical and educational ap proaches that have attempted to alter body size in the pursuit of enha nced physical health. The motivational discrepancies between society's media-induced desire for thinness and the health field's risk reducti on approach to weight loss are outlined. Finally, ethical issues are r aised in relation to current weight control measures, implications for future educational efforts are discussed, and potential guidelines fo r future weight management programs are presented.