For decades, American doctors have done their best to help patients lose weight, quit smoking, eat better, and exercise more. But for most Americans, the family doctors kind advice just isnt enough to change lifelong bad habits. In The American Way of Life Need Not Be Hazardous to Your Health, John Farquhar, M. D. , Director of the Stanford Center for Disease Prevention, provides a truly effective program for stamping out the deeply rooted health habits that lead to heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, and cancer. By using Dr. Farquhars simple and rewarding behavior modification techniques, readers can profile their habits and risk factors on such major health issues as smoking, nutrition, exercise, and stress; build a step-by-step commitment to change, whether its giving up cigarettes or salt; construct a realistic action plan for the change; and maintain the action plan with success. Throughout this sensible guide, Farquhar clearly explains the rationale behind every step and provides a wealth of information on how the body works.