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Working in the clinical and public speaking sectors as I do, I meet countless women who are intelligent, creative, attractive, talented professionals, spiritual, caring wives, mothers, or single women-and uncomfortable and depressed about their bodies, weight, eating, food habits, adrift in the world of disordered eating; or with men who shame them for their body size or weight and overlook their more intrinsic value. Body Wars demonstrates how this process is much wider than personal-it's pervasive in our western culture, and worse, spreading quickly to the entire world. Numerous outside forces dismiss, disrespect, and disempower women by producing what Margo Maine describes as a war against women's bodies-"Body Wars." This book questions culturally-endorsed assumptions that support Body Wars, such as misguided and misinformed beliefs about weight, dieting, and obesity. It encourages us to transform our society (and world) into one where women and their bodies will be respected and nurtured instead of abused and neglected. This assault of women's bodies is being waged by an economic system and culture intent on keeping women in their place, trying to conform to totally unrealistic pre-teen, boyish bodies, rather than appreciating and honoring real women's bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits. Body Wars includes important chapters on the role of fashion, modeling, beauty pageants, plastic surgery, and media influences; it addresses the impact of violence against women, ageism, and a healthcare system historically biased to meet men's needs and not women's. Special influences on children are examined, such as the pressure to diet (one of my 11-year old anorexic children began dieting at age 5!), the impact of the Barbie doll, and how schools, sports and other activities can contribute to Body Wars. Men are increasingly the target of industries seeking greater profits, so they, too, are at risk. Reading Body Wars can help you feel better about yourself, realize that the desire for a perfect body is a global problem, and provide you with ideas and active ways, plans, and strategies to fight back! Protect further damage to the human spirit and learn more in this excellent resource. You can make a difference now. 

Guzre Books. Carlsbad, California. ISBN 0936077344