Exercise (Health & Fitness)

From School Library Journal Grade 4-8-A highly visual format dominated by big, splashy, full-color photos masks the relative lack of detailed information in these slim volumes. More than half of the page space is devoted to illustration. Some of the pictures work well, such as a cross-section of an artery clogged with cholesterol and an excellent diagram of the heart. However, the majority of them merely lend color and a sense of excitement to these glossed-over treatments of broad subjects. Sadgrove looks at the need for exercise and what constitutes fitness, and then continues with the benefits of working out and guidelines on choosing an activity and avoiding injuries. Westcott addresses why humans need food and describes a balanced diet, energy, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, and how to maintain a healthy dietary lifestyle. Subjects like vegetarianism and eating disorders get only a few paragraphs each. For comprehensive coverage of these subjects, try Don Nardo's Exercise (1992; o.p.) and Anne Galperin's Nutrition (1991, both Chelsea).