Summarizes the interrelationships between food intake and normal and pathological states and details techniques for determining specific nutritional needs by indirect measurement of metabolism. Emphasis is on the critically ill patient. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The use of indirect calorimetry to measure the heat production of men and animals has increased rapidly since the pioneering work of Lavoisier. Measurement of the consumption of oxygen and production of carbon dioxide are the basis for the measurement of heat production. Today, applications of indirect calorimetry are available in many species. Combining these measurements with accurate climate control, recording of physical activity and feed intake, use of stable isotopes and sophisticated modelling techniques allow scientists to make progress in various research areas. This book provides a scientific basis for indirect calorimetry, dealing with smart ways to design calorimeters, gas measurements and computational techniques to deal with complex data. Novel techniques allow the connection between short term changes in energy expenditure, protein turnover and substrate oxidation, e.g. using stable isotopes. Various applications of indirect calorimetry are addressed, including heat production measurements in growing animals, hatching eggs, companion animals and in animals housed under heat stress conditions. In addition, various ways of measuring methane emissions are discussed. This book is intended for scientists working or interested in calorimetry or metabolism research, or people designing calorimetry systems, opening their eyes for applications they did not yet think of.

This timely book provides an overview of topics related to obesity. These include associated health risks, childhood obesity, genetics, evaluation, treatment, behavioral strategies, and successes and failures in preventing obesity. The volume covers evaluation guidelines, different approaches to treatment, including diet, exercise, behavior, drugs, and surgery to deal with the current world-wide obesity epidemic.

And examples -- References -- Construct validity in physical activity research / Matthew T. Mahar and David A. Rowe -- Definitional stage -- Confirmatory stage -- Theory-testing stage -- Summary -- References -- Physical activity data : odd distributions yield strange answers / Jerry R. Thomas and Katherine T. Thomas -- Overview of the general linear model and rank-order procedures -- Determining whether data are normally distributed -- Application of rank-order procedures -- Data distributions and correlation -- Extensions of GLM rank-order statistical procedures -- Summary -- Endnote -- References -- Equating and linking of physical activity questionnaires / Weimo Zhu -- What is scale equating? -- Equating methods -- Practical issues of scale equating -- Remaining challenges and future research directions -- Summary -- References.

The applications and interest in thermal analysis and calorimetry have grown enormously during the last half of the 20th century. These techniques have become indispensable in the study of processes such as catalysis, hazards evaluation etc., and in measuring important physical properties quickly, conveniently and with markedly improved accuracy. Consequently, thermal analysis and calorimetry have grown in stature and more scientists and engineers have become at least part-time, practitioners. People new to the field therefore need a source of information describing the basic principles and current state of the art. The last volume of this 4 volume handbook, devoted to many aspects of biological thermal analysis and calorimetry, completes a comprehensive review of this important area. All chapters have been prepared by recognized experts in their respective fields. The approach taken is "how and what to do and when to do it". The complete work is a valuable addition to the already existing literature.