Obesity is a hugely expensive and increasing problem worldwide, leading to disability, reproductive problems, depression and accelerated metabolic and vascular diseases in a large proportion of men, women and children. The ABC of Obesity is a new guide which will aid its effective management, addressing issues such as dieting, exercise, self esteem, drug treatment and surgery. Recent evidence is used to highlight frequent problems, successful treatment options, and the most common causes.

Contributors. Foreword Jim Mann (University of Otago). 1. Obesity-time to wake up: David Haslam (National Obesity Forum), Naveed Sattar (University of Glasgow) and Mike Lean (University of Glasgow). 2. Assessment of obesity and its clinical implications: Thang S Han (University College London Hospitals), Naveed Sattar (University of Glasgow) and Mike Lean (University of Glasgow). 3. Management: Part I-Behaviour change, diet, and activity: Alison Avenell (University of Aberdeen), Naveed Sattar (University of Glasgow) and Mike Lean (University of Glasgow). 4. Management: Part II-Drugs: Mike Lean (University of Glasgow) and Nick Finer (Addenbrooke's Hospital). 5. Management: Part III-Surgery: John G Kral (SUNY Downstate Medical Center). 6. Strategies for preventing obesity: Mike Lean (University of Glasgow), Jose Lara (University of Glasgow) and James O Hill (University of Colorado). 7. Risk factors for diabetes and coronary heart disease: Sarah H Wild (University of Edinburgh) and Christopher D Byrne (University of Southampton). 8. Obesity and vascular disease: Debbie A Lawlor (University of Bristol), Mike Lean (University of Glasgow) and Naveed Sattar (University of Glasgow). 9. Obesity and cancer: Donald C McMillan (Royal Infirmary, Glasgow), Naveed Sattar (University of Glasgow), Mike Lean (University of Glasgow) and Colin S McArdle (Royal Infirmary, Glasgow). 10. Obesity and reproduction: Jane E Ramsay (Ayrshire Maternity Unit), Ian Greer (University of Glasgow) and Naveed Sattar (University of Glasgow). 11. Childhood obesity: John J Reilly (Yorkhill Hospitals) and David Wilson (Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh). 12. Obesity-can we turn the tide?: Mike Lean (University of Glasgow), Laurence Gruer (University of Glasgow), George Alberti (University of Newcastle Medical School) and Naveed Sattar (University of Glasgow). Index