My Theory on the "Obesity Epidemic"

[liteweightbaby]

A couple of days ago I had what some people would call an "enlightenment."  I was reading my psychology textbook (currently reading about personality types and how they develop), when a flash went through my head.  And that was "I want to solve the obesity epidemic."

Except, the thing is the obesity epidemic isn't the problem.  This is a theory I've

Comments

[wednes]

As I understand it, a lot of the hysteria over the so-called epidemic of obesity started when they changed the BMI chart and altered the numbers for obesity. Obviously, when you lower the criteria for who is obese, more people will rate "obese" and voila! An scary, scary epidemic is created--and people can then "do something" to "fight it."

I think you're quite right, emphasizing good foods over bad foods is a dumb way to go about it. American kids are often taught from an early age to "clean your plate" which directly translates to "eat food even if you don't like or want it, because that's what you're being told to do." How does that NOT set up a kid for disordered eating?

[liteweightbaby]

The body mass index infuriates me to no end, because it has absolutely no bearing on a person's health. What the BMI categorizes as "overweight" is pretty misleading as well...for example, my husband is overweight according to BMI standards:

[wednes]

My experience has been that once I started listening to my body as opposed to every other idiot out there (Dr Oz, anyone?), I was able to figure out how to feel better and adopt healthier behaviors. I'm not actually losing weight, but I feel pretty okay.

[liteweightbaby]

If it makes you healthier, then it's really not important :) And oh lawd, I hate Dr. Oz so much, he's not even a freaking nutritionist!

[pinkminx]

The problem, as I see it, is that we're not talking about a Frankenfood epidemic along with other related issues like food deserts and an overall lack of physical activity, we're talking about some goddamn obesity epidemic and focusing on shaming people into thinness. Or trying to-- of course it isn't working!

[pinkminx]

PS. This is a better place to rant than many, so I'll just put this here

[liteweightbaby]

Sorry, but I don't really see the issue with eating these foods in moderation.

[pinkminx]

But that's not in moderation, that IS the whole diet