Obesity is a major medical problem in the U.S. today. From 1980 to 1991, the number of overweight Americans increased by 50% -- the largest increase ever! Results of the 1999 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey indicate that 61% of U.S. adults 20 years or older are overweight or obese. A jump like this is not due to genetics, but changes in our lifestyle and the foods we eat. The total annual cost attributed to obesity in 1995 was $99.2 billion dollars, representing 5% of U.S. health-care expenditures. A mere 20-pound increase in weight increases a person's chances of suffering a heart attack by 31%! Obesity contributes to 4 of 7 leading causes of death. Despite the huge diet industry, the problem is only getting worse. Author Machiel N. Kennedy, M.D. believes the whole approach to dieting is flawed. Dieting often means giving up food you like, not having fun, depriving yourself, and worst of all, dieting often fails. Living Lean is based on solid scientific research. It is a guide through the maze of weight-loss confusion, not just another diet book that sets you up for failure. Living Lean offers a blueprint for success, providing you with the tools you need to change your life. All you have to do is use them. Good health, vitality, and a healthy weight can be yours with the methods outlined in Living Lean: Your Guide to Successful Weight Loss Management. Book jacket.