THE BIG FAT TRUTH

[amandaebner]

Don't ask me why, but I spent a good amount of the day today watching obesity shows. Not like "reality" obesity shows, like medical obesity shows - "Half-Ton Dad" and "Inside Brookhaven Obesity Clinic," to be exact

Comments

[amandaebner]

I agree that you can "lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" in terms of education and action.

However, I really do believe also that the FIRST problem is a lack of access and information, and THEN the action/inaction issue. Of course every large-scale social problem is multifaceted, but in terms of laying down a strategy, I think education should be the first priority.

[amandaebner]

I suppose, but unfortunately every journey starts with a single step - and that includes public policy. If you can't articulate a way of dealing with the problem that can convince those with the money/resources to actually DO it, then you won't be able to accomplish anything. That's the point of this rant - the money that we have needs to go to the right places. We need more prevention, less rehabilitation; more education, less reaction. I should make T-shirts. ;)

[blizzardbebe]

i agree completely re: "poor people can only afford fast food!" and i think you're perhaps giving people too much credit. of course, if everyone you're surrounded by is obese and has terrible eating habits, you're likely to also. that said, i can't believe that someone who weighs 500 lbs (i think my department produced that actually, or at least reversioned it) bears no responsibility for their poor choices because of the situation in which they may have grown up. you don't have to be rich to know that overeating to such a degree that you end up weighing 500 lbs is a) unhealthy and b) within your control.

[amandaebner]

True that - but you may not realize the extent and severity of your condition until you're "too far gone" - i.e., everyone around you is 300 pounds, so you don't realize the problem until you're 500. I think social forces are strong, and if you are not exposed to environments that are healthy and/or positive, you may not realize the depth of the damage until it's done.

Have you seen/heard of the movie PUSH (based on an incredible book of the same name)? This is a great illustration of someone affected by every risk factor in the book (obesity, drugs, sexual abuse, low SES, etc.) and what struggles she has to face just to get out the door in the morning.

Of course, per your point - I DO tend to give "society" or "people" too much credit, which is why I am continually disappointed and let down.

[arydiymom]

I think I talked about this a little this weekend, I see it mostly as an addiction. The reason it's a little more "acceptable" because it's an addiction to something we all need: food. It's not like being addicted to alcohol, because you can live without that, but you can't live without food. In AA, you would abstain from alcohol the rest of your life, because you're an alcoholic, problem solved (as long as you do it). The problem with just giving someone an education is that you still have to address the addiction. You can tell a smoker (which is blatantly published on every cigarette packet) hey, that's going to kill you. The smoker is going to continue to smoke because they have the head knowledge but they don't have the motivation (that comes from the heart). Another documentary you should watch which really spoke to me was one that PBS airs occasionally about a 15 year old teen who was the "fattest" teen in the UK. I will find the name for you, her story is amazing. It conveniently illustrates my point on addiction...

[amandaebner]

You are spot on about the addiction, and about the uniqueness of food since it will ALWAYS be a necessary part of a person's life, making it potentially harder to recognize when it becomes a problem.

Addiction comes in many forms, and each of us have different weaknesses, but we all have at least one - it's just unfortunate when that weakness is life-threatening, as in the case of morbid obesity, drugs, smoking, alcohol, abuse, compulsive gambling - the list goes on.

What I have to still put forward is YES - smokers still smoke, but the Surgeon General's warning HAVE reduced the proportion of smokers in America. YES people will still eat like crap, but putting calorie counts on menus might deter some folks from ordering the alfredo and eventually make waves in larger populations over time.

Nothing happens overnight, and no program will ever reach everyone, but I have to hold on to the belief that doing something is better than complaining/doing nothing/"reacting." Right?

kristy says

[arydiymom]

omg i love calorie counts. i'm a pretty educated, rational person. but let me tell you, when mcdonald's printed a receipt with my EXACT order and calorie count, i almost died. what do you mean a small, single cheeseburger is 35% of my daily fat intake? having calorie/nutrion info on the receipt and/or immediate packaging is genius (as opposed to having it in a pamphlet stashed behind the ketchup).

Re: kristy says

[amandaebner]

Me too. It's like you "know" (intellectually), but then you are forced to KNOW (it's in your face). And if you really didn't know....what a REVELATION! :)

[assbucket]

I don't have anything intelligent to add, except that I am happy that I'm not the only one who is fascinated by (and therefore watch frequently) obesity shows.

[amandaebner]

DOOD I can't not watch any program/movie of human extremes - the SAW movies, plastic surgery shows, Cirque du Soleil. I am continually amazed by the human body.

[ikozy25]

Not sure I agree with the fact that poorer people eat more fast food. Fast food actually gets pretty expensive pretty quick, the last time I was in McDondalds and ordered a quick lunch I spent nearly $8 for my meal. By that math I would spend about $24 per day. I think that the reason fast food is adding to the weight problem in America is because of the convienience. Who wants to work all day come home and slave over a hot stove to make a meal anymore when we can pick up a bucket of chicken and some mashed potatoes from KFC? Dinner problem solved!! It tastes good, makes your mouth water when you drive by and smell the goodness boiling in oil, and it is easy, what is not to like

[amandaebner]

Indeed, and the marketing makes it even worse - commercials that tout KFC as a "great family meal!" or suggest ordering a pizza "to make the whole family happy!" are also to blame. They give off the impression that you must order quick, unhealthy food to "please" your family, rather than making them wait for home-cooked meals that may actually be healthy and/or reasonably portioned.

Seriously though - there are more fast food restaurants AND advertisements. per square mile in poor areas (http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/risks-60975-116.html - although this is URBAN poor areas, not rural poor) - not to say that people can't make their own choices, but it's harder when you are bombarded with the "goodness boiling in oil" (LMAO, love it) all around you...