DIET IS NOT ENOUGH

For the ""tens of millions"" (actually between 30 and 50- a very loose statistic, later dropped) who are overweight, Dr. Perlstein prescribes- in a lackaday-workaday fashion. Rightly, he does not believe in fads and fancies; he emphasizes psychological factors in overweight, ""by far the most important"", and recommends a strong doctor-patient rapport that will determine the basis for emotional eating. On dieting itself, there are few specifics beyond the recommendation of the conventional, essential nutrients and ""desire, dedication and discipline""; he advocates drugs only in an ""accessory"" role, and moderate exercise at all times.... In a market which is even more overweight than its audience, this has nothing except common sense to contribute and Dr. Perlstein is not an alluring advocate. This is not enough.