Introduction

A health paradox exists in modern America. On the one hand, many people who do not need to lose weight are trying to. On the other hand, most who do need to lose weight are not succeeding. The percentage of Americans whose health is jeopardized by too much weight is increasing.

So begins the statement of the Technology Assessment Panel convened for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Technology Assessment Conference on Methods for Voluntary Weight Loss and Control. This supplement issue of Annals …