Barraclough, Sue I
Know Someone Who Is Obese
Heinemann (Capstone) 2011 32p 26.00 978-1-4329-4566-4
elem VG-BNes
This book introduces readers to what obesity is, how it
affects people, how it
can be prevented, and what they can do to be a good
friend to someone who is
obese.
Unappealing title aside, childhood
obesity is a topic of
national concern. According to the Center for Disease
Control, 17.5% of all
children and adolescents in the United States are obese–
triple the rate from
just one generation ago.
Our values about body image, including obesity, are
socially defined.
But the facts show that medically, obese children face
increased health issues and risks.
There is
no single cause for childhood obesity and no single solution.
This volume presents an overview of the issue in a
straightforward, matter-of-
fact manner. The
text addresses causes of obesity, how it affects an obese
person's lifestyle, and provides suggestions for
overcoming obesity through diet
and exercise. The
simple language and colorful photographs combine for an
appealing, informative book. The sections suggesting how friends of obese
individuals can modify activities to the obese person’s
abilities were handled
with sensitivity.
The photographs sensitively depict overweight children.
Unfamiliar terms are explained in a simple glossary, which does not
include pronunciation guides. For readers who are interested in learning
more
about the topic, a short booklist and two websites are
suggested. The Kids'
Health site
(http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/index.html) offers visitors
the option of listening to articles in English or Spanish
as the corresponding
text is highlighted. The other website
(www.mypyramid.gov/kids/index.html)
provides links to games, tips, and activities about the
food pyramid and healthy
choices.
This
short, informative volume provides a good springboard for
discussion of this issue.
Welliver,
Hilary
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