2008 vol. 32 no. 2 AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 187© 2008 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2008 Public Health Association of Australia

Book Reviews

we are any busier than our grandparents. Broom and Strazdins,

in the absence of evidence of a causal effect of time pressure on

obesity, make a very good job of conceptualising the possibilities

of a relationship. They discuss time pressure in terms of, first, that

it is increasing, resulting in a decrease in time for physical activity

and an increased intake of speedily prepared but energy-dense

foods. Second, the evidence of how time pressure in combination

with trends such as sedentary jobs may have an impact on obesity

is assessed. Third, the indication that time pressure may be a social

construct that is potentially unrelated to obesity is reviewed.

High levels of urbanisation combined with sprawling

development beyond inner cities makes the issue of dependence

upon cars an important aspect of the obesity debate. Hinde’s

chapter on car reliance reviews Australian research that has found

rates of obesity higher among those who drive to work. At the same

time, Hinde notes other research that documents the detrimental

impact on the health of those who are forced to use what is termed

‘active transport’ (i.e. walking, cycling and public transport) due to

social and economic disadvantage. The chapter critically assesses

the ‘essential’ nature of daily car usage among Australians. While

reliance on cars has both environmental and health consequences,

the pathways that link car usage and weight gain are much less

clear. Hinde’s chapter suggests that to address the health-related

consequences of car reliance requires serious rethinking of the

design of our cities and change at a personal level to the distances

that we travel in day-to-day life.

The strength of this book is the broad literature that it draws upon

to address the rising rates of obesity. Unlike much social science

in the area, however, it goes beyond discussing the problems of

the issues to suggest actions. The concluding chapter recommends

an equity-based approach to modify ‘obesogenic’ environments.

These include encouraging action at all levels of government,

drawing upon past lessons learnt in public health, increased public

consciousness and capacity for critical thinking, and reassessing

time demands. Individual responsibility is encouraged (“becoming

lay experts on matters of concern”) alongside a multitude of

actions at a structural level.

At times the tone of the book is a little uneven. The suggestion

that “most children have no idea how much sugar and fat are

required to bake a cake [and] many adults are similarly unaware”

(p. 24) contrasts sharply with the carefully debated claims and

counter-claims in the following chapters. Conceivably, baking

knowledge and skills could be stratified by age, gender, ethnicity

and socio-economic positioning; variations that are more carefully

teased out and supported by empirical evidence in the remaining

chapters.

This is an important and encouraging book. It might have

been useful to have included a broader discussion of the role and

responsibilities of the food industry, but perhaps that is volume

two. Nonetheless, the book’s broad scope goes a long way towards

redressing the reductionist focus of much obesity literature. The

style allows it a wide audience, including the interested general

public. It is of special interest to health promoters designing

interventions to address obesity, and will appeal to the health

doi:10.1111/j.1753-6405.2008.00204.x

Communicating health: strategies for health promotionEdited by Nova Corcoran. Published by SAGE Publications, London 2007. Paperback, 220 pages with index. RRP $64. ISBN 9781412924030.

Reviewed by Glenn LaverackSchool of Population Health, University of Auckland, New Zealand

There has been an unfortunate emphasis in health promotion

on health communication and, as this book points out, a frequent

assumption by practitioners that this is “a simple linear process

of providing information for immediate [behaviour change]

benefit” (p. 1). Of course, this is not the case and the book rightly

reminds the reader that health communication should be a two-way

exchange of information – the development of a dialogue.

This book provides eight chapters, starting with the theory and

models in communicating health (chapter 1) and then moving

through key topic areas in health communication. It is well

structured and, although there is no concluding chapter that pulls

the whole book together, the reader is given the bonus of a glossary,

index and activity discussions. The book provides an honest

appraisal of the advantages and disadvantages of different popular

communication approaches, such as the mass media and social

marketing (chapter 4) and information technology (chapter 5).

The book provides a welcome academic focus on the theoretical

knowledge that underpins the design of health communication

strategies. It offers the scholar a wide range of theoretical models

for health communication, discussion on key factors such as the

social and psychological (chapter 2), and clear definitions of

several different approaches. The discussion on settings (chapter

6) offers some innovative ideas for communicating health. It offers

the practitioner an intelligent use of case study examples, practical

approaches, and the technologies used in communication as well

as an important discussion on evaluation (chapter 8).

The strength of the book is the way it addresses the theoretical.

It provides a clear structure for learning and generous resources

including objectives, activities, case studies, referenced material

and additional readings. It is recommended as a useful text for

both academics and students (especially undergraduate) in the

subject of health education/communication.

Other books that are available, such as John Hubley’s

Communicating Health: an action guide to health education and

health promotion, do offer a more practical international focus for

the reader. However, this book is a useful addition for the health

communication practitioner who wants to increase their theoretical

understanding of the subject.

social scientist searching for a broad approach to frame the issue of

obesity. The book would make good reading for policy makers.