I am obese.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, my Body Mass Index (BMI) officially categorizes meas obese (according to a calculation based on (only) height and weight). Please note: I am not highlighting this because I'm seeking "Oh, but you don't look like you are," or "Oh, but you're not fat," or any other comments that seek to make me "feel better" (especially since I haven't yet said that I feel bad - didja think I did? - more on this later). Now, as many of you may know, I currently work in a field that is examining the "obesity epidemic," the prevention of "overweight" and "obesity," and that attempts to incorporate "active living" into our daily lives. So I come in contact with this index and other measurement tools, as well as research, regarding obesity frequently.
I've decided to write on this because of the reaction I've received when the whole obesity thing comes up in conversation and I can say with conviction that yes, I am obese. In fact, after I visited a nutritionist* at HSU and later read my file, I found that I "present an obese pear shape."
Hello, my name is Noelle and I am an obese pear. I think I should officially be the Obese Pear Mascot (but I think I should have a cape) of the Obesity Prevention Movement.**
Anyways, BMI is a measurement that has been used previously for populations - not individuals - and yet the current hooplah about the obesity epidemic is pretty much based on BMI. So, while 100% of the people that I speak to about obesity have reacted surprised (and even a little dismissive) of my obesity admission, the fact of the matter is that many other people who are my size, shape, height, and weight are being counted in the obesity statistic.
Now, on to the question as to how I feel about being medically categorized as "obese."
I don't believe it.
BMI is based on height and weight. It is not based on fitness level, heart rates, fat-to-muscle ratio, genetic predisposition, activity level, eating habits, geographic location, socioeconomic status, or any of the other factors that contribute to a person's weight. And why, you may ask, is this even an issue for me? I mean, if everyone I've talked to has professed that they wouldn't have thought of me as "obese," what's the big deal?
The implications are tremendous. Our country, health care system, even educational systems are spending money, media, and time propping up what is already a ridiculous social construct - that fat = unhealthy. That fat is unattractive. That fat is bad. Now, I'm not saying that there isn't a point when someone's health is negatively affected by their weight - but it isn't the end-all be-all to not being healthy. If you say, Yeah, well ... at least read "US obesity epidemic is a myth promoted by diet doctors and the weight loss industry" for a different viewpoint than 99.9594742354% of mainstream media and medical news. And please also note: these counter-arguments to the obesity epidemic aren't written by people who are "just fat and are tired of people making fun of/being treated differently than/not getting jobs because of/being considered less than desirable due to/ their weight. Here in Humboldt County, I personally know several educated women who would never be called overweight or obese, even by the ridiculous BMI standards, who are simply knee deep in this shit because that's what they're paid to be. You want to get a grant? Find an obesity angle. Oh, and the same women have discovered the evidence that our basic assumption - that fat is bad - isn't the right one to make.
Yet so many doctors and other health care professionals give the same advice over and over and over - restrict your calories; exercise. Only that. Luckily, there is hope for people wanting to be healthier - not just slimmer. Not being obese does not inherently equal being healthy. Not being overweight does not inherently equal being healthy. The major components of Health at Every Size are:
Even the USDA published an article on it, examining a study that had dozens of women either A) have a weight-loss regimen or B) use the "Every Size" strategy. The women who used the "Every Size" strategy showed better overall health, including cholesterol levels, and also recovered from eating disorders and depression - and continued to do so two years later. The women who were on conventional diets showed initial improvements but then reverted back to their pre-study ways - and also gained back all of the weight they had lost in the first six months.
If all of the aforementioned things that are bad about the "obesity epidemic" are a little, "eh," in your opinion, please see the Junkfood Science Blog on Mississippi House Bill 282 (which has thankfully died without being passed) - the blog states that, "Lawmakers have proposed legislation that forbids restaurants and food establishments from serving food to anyone who is obese (as defined by the State). Under this bill, food establishments are to be monitored for compliance under the State Department of Health and violators will have their business permits revoked." But the fact that it existed - the person who introduced it said that he believed it would really make a difference - is scary enough.
So, those are some of my thoughts on being obese. Yeah, being severely overweight/obese complicates other health problems and even creates some - but then, as I was writing that statement, I thought - obese according to whom?
*For an interesting take on nutritionists and the change of food from, well, food, to "nutrients" and "food products," see this great article by Michael Pollan taken from his most recent book.
**That was a joke; you can laugh at the image of me in tights and a cape. I did.
I've decided to write on this because of the reaction I've received when the whole obesity thing comes up in conversation and I can say with conviction that yes, I am obese. In fact, after I visited a nutritionist* at HSU and later read my file, I found that I "present an obese pear shape."
Hello, my name is Noelle and I am an obese pear. I think I should officially be the Obese Pear Mascot (but I think I should have a cape) of the Obesity Prevention Movement.**
Anyways, BMI is a measurement that has been used previously for populations - not individuals - and yet the current hooplah about the obesity epidemic is pretty much based on BMI. So, while 100% of the people that I speak to about obesity have reacted surprised (and even a little dismissive) of my obesity admission, the fact of the matter is that many other people who are my size, shape, height, and weight are being counted in the obesity statistic.
Now, on to the question as to how I feel about being medically categorized as "obese."
I don't believe it.
BMI is based on height and weight. It is not based on fitness level, heart rates, fat-to-muscle ratio, genetic predisposition, activity level, eating habits, geographic location, socioeconomic status, or any of the other factors that contribute to a person's weight. And why, you may ask, is this even an issue for me? I mean, if everyone I've talked to has professed that they wouldn't have thought of me as "obese," what's the big deal?
The implications are tremendous. Our country, health care system, even educational systems are spending money, media, and time propping up what is already a ridiculous social construct - that fat = unhealthy. That fat is unattractive. That fat is bad. Now, I'm not saying that there isn't a point when someone's health is negatively affected by their weight - but it isn't the end-all be-all to not being healthy. If you say, Yeah, well ... at least read "US obesity epidemic is a myth promoted by diet doctors and the weight loss industry" for a different viewpoint than 99.9594742354% of mainstream media and medical news. And please also note: these counter-arguments to the obesity epidemic aren't written by people who are "just fat and are tired of people making fun of/being treated differently than/not getting jobs because of/being considered less than desirable due to/ their weight. Here in Humboldt County, I personally know several educated women who would never be called overweight or obese, even by the ridiculous BMI standards, who are simply knee deep in this shit because that's what they're paid to be. You want to get a grant? Find an obesity angle. Oh, and the same women have discovered the evidence that our basic assumption - that fat is bad - isn't the right one to make.
Yet so many doctors and other health care professionals give the same advice over and over and over - restrict your calories; exercise. Only that. Luckily, there is hope for people wanting to be healthier - not just slimmer. Not being obese does not inherently equal being healthy. Not being overweight does not inherently equal being healthy. The major components of Health at Every Size are:
-
Accept and respect your own and others’ unique traits and talents; celebrate diversity. -
Healthy lifestyle is achievable for everyone, unlike so-called “ideal weight.” -
Enjoy physical activity every day, your own way, as natural and beneficial. -
Enjoy eating well; rediscover normal eating - tune in to hunger, appetite and fullness. -
Enjoy full nutrition without dieting; honor balance and variety; all foods can fit. -
Focus on wellness in body, mind and spirit, on overall health and well-being.
Even the USDA published an article on it, examining a study that had dozens of women either A) have a weight-loss regimen or B) use the "Every Size" strategy. The women who used the "Every Size" strategy showed better overall health, including cholesterol levels, and also recovered from eating disorders and depression - and continued to do so two years later. The women who were on conventional diets showed initial improvements but then reverted back to their pre-study ways - and also gained back all of the weight they had lost in the first six months.
If all of the aforementioned things that are bad about the "obesity epidemic" are a little, "eh," in your opinion, please see the Junkfood Science Blog on Mississippi House Bill 282 (which has thankfully died without being passed) - the blog states that, "Lawmakers have proposed legislation that forbids restaurants and food establishments from serving food to anyone who is obese (as defined by the State). Under this bill, food establishments are to be monitored for compliance under the State Department of Health and violators will have their business permits revoked." But the fact that it existed - the person who introduced it said that he believed it would really make a difference - is scary enough.
So, those are some of my thoughts on being obese. Yeah, being severely overweight/obese complicates other health problems and even creates some - but then, as I was writing that statement, I thought - obese according to whom?
*For an interesting take on nutritionists and the change of food from, well, food, to "nutrients" and "food products," see this great article by Michael Pollan taken from his most recent book.
**That was a joke; you can laugh at the image of me in tights and a cape. I did.