Eating Disorders

April 1, 2013

This single-volume encyclopedia contains about 175 entries, almost half of which are written by licensed counselor Reel (health promotion and education, Univ. of Utah; The Hidden Faces of Eating Disorders and Body Image). The articles cover topics directly related to eating disorders (such as amenorrhea, anorexia nervosa, purging, and weight-related sports) as well as peripheral topics, such as "Freshman 15," skin tone, tanning behaviors, and yoga. Articles range from one to three pages in length and all provide cross references and further-reading suggestions. The book is particularly strong with regard to treatment modalities and prevention programs. Although few entries fully examine a given topic, the articles will point counselors, educators, family members, and affected individuals in the direction of further information. The photographs in the book are few, and sometimes seem oddly chosen (for example, a photo of Sonja Henie in the article on figure skating and an image of a 1926 military pilot in the piece covering masculinity). Articles vary in their scholarly reliability. One article states "in Western societies television is viewed daily for 7 hours on average" without citing a source for that figure, and another draws the conclusion that the link between "muscle" and its French root "mouse" comes about because women might swoon at both muscles and mice. The "Appendix of Case Illustrations," containing only two cases, is too brief to add significantly to the book. VERDICT While its quality varies at some points, this is overall a solid and up-to-date introduction for college or graduate school students. Articles are most valuable as overviews and to direct the serious reader to additional material. The extensive entries for treatment and prevention programs add to the title's usefulness.--Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley Sch., Fort Worth, TX

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2013
This volume provides thorough coverage of the many facets of eating disorders, with an emphasis on psychological and emotional aspects. The range of topics covered is broad, including sports and exercise, prevention programs, treatments and therapies, psychological disorders, popular culture, and medical conditions. Each entry consists of a brief overview and history of the topic, its relation to (or effect on) eating disorders, a bibliography for further reading, and cross-references. Entries are written in layman's terms, making them easy to understand, and include methods of prevention, treatment, and related health conditions. In addition to the entries, a short time line highlighting the significant dates in the history of eating disorderssuch as the years specific disorders were defined and added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disordersis included. Editor Reel is a licensed therapist with experience in treating patients with eating disorders in various settings as well as a former anorexic herself. Contributors also have experience with treating or researching eating disorders and are in the health-care, exercise-science, or psychology fields. The variety of contributor expertise aids in the comprehensive coverage of topics. Eating Disorders: An Encyclopedia of Causes, Treatment, and Prevention addresses multiple perspectives on a variety of topics relating to eating disorders. The book has research applications in psychology, sports medicine, health, sociology, and more. The articles would be a great starting point for research, making this book suitable for most high-school, public, and undergraduate libraries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)