Diabesity - by Francine R Kaufman (Paperback)

About the Book

Francine Kaufman takes readers to the front lines of the fight against this deadly, but preventable disease. Vivid patient stories explain how excess weight destroys the body's ability to process sugar properly--with life-threatening consequences.

Book Synopsis

Experts now predict that more than one-third of American children born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. Written by one of the world's leading authorities on the link between obesity and diabetes, this passionate, frightening-but ultimately hopeful-book points the way to a solution.

To enter Dr. Francine Kaufman's clinic is to see the future of America: a 220-pound twelve-year-old boy...a 267-pound thirteen-year-old girl...their concerned but equally overweight parents...the human faces and human suffering behind the epidemic of type 2 diabetes that threatens to overwhelm our health care system. Once a disease of the elderly, type 2 diabetes now strikes adults in their prime-and, increasingly, children. It has nearly doubled in the last decade. The cause? Our soaring rates of obesity.

Diabesity takes us to the front lines of the fight against this preventable but deadly disease. Through vivid patient stories, it explains how excess weight destroys the body's ability to process sugar properly-with life-threatening consequences. It shows what happens when the genes that evolved to protect us from famine collide with a sedentary lifestyle that has put bacon cheeseburgers on every corner. And it demonstrates why our usual blame-the-victim response is futile in face of the complex, worldwide forces behind this epidemic.

Detailing the tools for change at every level-from families to school systems to government-and reporting on innovative programs that are already making a difference, Diabesity offers a compelling action plan for winning this battle.

Review Quotes

"Incredibly important . . . Francine Kaufman will save lives"
--Wolf Blitzer, CNN anchor

"A dramatic, personal account of the human dimensions of the modern obesity epidemic."
--Greg Critser, author of Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World

"No person is better suited than Francine Kaufman to write a groundbreaking book on obesity and diabetes. This book is a gem for coupling insightful analysis with creative recommendations for what might be done."
--Kelly D. Brownell, Ph.D., Director, Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, and author of Food Fight

"Francine Kaufman is a warrior. Her enemies are type-2 diabetes and obesity, preventable conditions that menace our nation's health. In this inspiring book, she leads us toward solutions."
--Miriam Nelson, Ph.D., author of Strong Women Stay Young and Strong Women Stay Slim

"Francine Kaufman writes with clarity and compassion, blending cutting-edge science with the stories of those affected. She makes a compelling case for change as individuals and as a society."
--David S. Ludwig, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Obesity Program, Children's Hospital Boston

"Parents today are unwittingly leading their children into a dietary danger zone. Dr. Kaufman's wise book lays out a clear path guiding families back to safety."
--Harvey Karp, M.D., author of The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block

"A compelling combination of medical insight, practical treatment strategies, and Fran Kaufman's special passion for ways to prevent this devastating epidemic."
--James R. Gavin III, M.D., Ph.D., President, Morehouse School of Medicine; Chair, National Diabetes Education Program

"As obesity and diabetes emerge as the leading public health threats of the 21st century, Dr. Kaufman's book becomes required reading."
--Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis

"[A] first-rate, important book.... a call to arms for policy makers and those in the health-care industry."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Francine R. Kaufman, M.D. is an internationally-known authority on diabetes and obesity. The immediate past-president of the American Diabetes Association (2002-2003 term), she is Head, Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and Professor of Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. The author of more than 150 medical articles, she has developed many important clinical innovations and is also a tireless public advocate. She has developed innovative programs for overweight and diabetic children and their families, served for more than twenty years as medical director of a summer camp for diabetic children, and was instrumental in banning the sale of soda in the LA Unified School District. Her many honors include the 2003 Woman of Valor Award from the American Diabetes Association. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Neal Kaufman, M.D., M.P.H., and is the mother of two sons, Adam and Jonah.