Emphasizing nutrition requirements and US trends through the developmental stages, Sharlin and Edelstein (instructors, nutrition and dietetics, Simmons College, Boston, MA) offer an accessible treatment of issues including childhood obesity, pediatric vegetarianism, diabetes, eating disorders, chronic disease, physical activity for weight management, and the unique dietary needs of pregnant women and older adults. The undergraduate text features articles on evidence-based practice, case studies, critical thinking and debate points (e.g., on withholding nutrition at the end of life), illustrations, growth charts, the latest recommended dietary reference intakes tables, and the body mass index table. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)