Ben Fine is Professor of Economics and Director 01 the Centre for Economic Policy tor Sourh Africa ar rhe School of Orienral and Aft-iccul Studies) University of London.

• 1 Introduction and overview 2 Resolving the diet paradox 3 The political economy of eating disorders 4 Digesting the food and information systems 5 Agricultural support and diet 6 Whither food policy?

'Students of food-systems theory, eating disorders, as well as agricultural policy can dip into selected chapters to get a sense of the 'state of debate' in each of these subareas' - G. Yasmeen, University of British Columbia, Environment and Planning C