Michael Gard - The End of the Obesity Epidemic

The End of the Obesity Epidemic

Despite apocalyptic predictions from a vocal alliance of health professionals, politicians and social commentators that rising obesity levels would lead to a global health crisis, the crisis has not materialised. In this provocative follow-up to his classic work of obesity scepticism, The Obesity Epidemic, Michael Gard argues that we have entered into a new, and perhaps terminal, phase of the obesity debate.

Evidence suggests that obesity rates are levelling off in Western societies, life expectancies continue to rise in line with rising obesity rates, and across the world policy-makers have remained largely indifferent and inactive in the face of this apparently deadly threat to our health and well-being. Dissecting and dismissing much of the over-blown rhetoric and ideological bias found on both sides of the obesity debate, Gard demonstrates that the science of obesity remains radically uncertain and that it is impossible to establish an objective truth on which to base policy. His powerful and inescapable conclusion is that we should now mark the end of the obesity epidemic.

Offering a road map through the maze of claims and counter-claims, while still holding to a sceptical standpoint, this book provides an unparalleled anatomy of obesity as a scientific, political and cultural issue. It is essential reading for anybody with an interest in the science or sociology of health and lifestyle.

Michael Gard is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at Charles Sturt Universitys Bathurst campus. He teaches and writes about health, physical education, sport and the media and is a regular media commentator on these topics. His previous work in this field includes his book The Obesity Epidemic: Science, Morality and Ideology, co-written with Jan Wright.

The End of the Obesity Epidemic

Michael Gard

LONDON AND NEW YORK

First published 2011
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016

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This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2011.

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2011 Michael Gard

The right of Michael Gard to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gard, Michael, 1965
The end of the obesity epidemic / by Michael Gard.
p.; cm.
1. ObesityEpidemiology. 2. ObesitySocial aspects. I. Title.
[DNLM: 1. Obesityepidemiology. 2. Obesitypsychology. WD 210 G217e 2011]
RA645.O23G366 2011
362.196'398dc22
2010018103

ISBN 0-203-88119-2 Master e-book ISBN

ISBN 13: 9780415489874 hbk

ISBN 13: 9780415489881 pbk

ISBN 13: 9780203881194 ebk

To Beverly Margaret Gard, my mother, whose bravery, toughness and beauty will live with me for ever.