Down the Scale or Up...

"Down the Scale or Up..." by Barbara Abel is a mid-20th century guide to health and nutrition, that shines light on diet and weight management. Written during a period of shifting beauty and health standards for women, the book offers practical advice for gaining or losing weight in a healthy way. The conversational style addresses the emotional and psychological sides of dieting, recognizing the unique challenges faced by both overweight and underweight people. Readers are urged to seek professional medical advice and embrace balanced diets full of proteins, vitamins, and minerals with sample menus and calorie information provided. Abel's core message is to make dieting simple, empowering readers to make sustainable, healthy choices instead of chasing fleeting diet trends.