“I highly recommend this wide-ranging and clearly written book, which contains a treasure-trove of interesting material and useful references. Dr. Ogden addresses a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from the psychology of normal eating to body shape concerns, obesity, and eating disorders. This is a valuable work for both researchers and students, and will be of special interest to advanced undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of psychology and nutritional science.” Richard Gordon, Bard College

“Ogden’s book is a comprehensive integration of the interrelated topics of dieting, eating disorders, obesity, and physical and mental health. It provides wide-ranging and in-depth coverage of issues key to understanding and addressing the seemingly contradictory upsurge of both obesity and eating disorders.” Michael R. Lowe, Drexel University

“Eating can be a source of delight or an opportunity for poor psychological and physical health. In this book Jane Ogden gives a scholarly and yet digestible overview of the psychological underpinnings of this important area.” Janet Treasure, King’s College London

“There is no doubt that in terms of its breadth and depth the book is impressive … For those who are entering the field and who require a source that outlines the vast literature on the areas and approaches to the psychology of eating then this book will be a useful guide to the many areas that make up the field … highly relevant for students undertaking courses in undergraduate health psychology, postgraduate psychology and professional studies in nutrition and dietetics, nursing and counselling.” Julie Hepworth, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh, Journal of Health Psychology, Vol 9(4) 617-620

From the Back Cover
Why do we eat what we eat? Why do so many people diet? Why are food and weight the center of so many problems? The Psychology of Eating presents a lively and detailed overview of this broad field. Integrating psychological knowledge with insights from a variety of disciplines including sociology and medicine, this book explores a wide range of eating-related behavior, including the nature of a healthy diet, weight concern, and the causes and treatment of obesity and eating disorders. Written in an accessible manner, The Psychology of Eating is an essential guide for general readers, students, teachers, and researchers who wish to expand their understanding of eating-related behavior.
About the Author
Jane Ogden is a Reader in Health Psychology at the Department of General Practice, Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ School of Medicine, King’s College London. She has carried out extensive research in the areas of dieting, body dissatisfaction, and obesity, and has published over 60 academic papers on these and related subjects. She is author of Fat Chance: The Myth of Dieting Explained (1992), Health Psychology: A Textbook (second edition, 2000), and Health and the Construction of the Individual (2002).