Fat: What the Experts Don't Know About Obesity

[Islander]

It's not an average workout, but I wasn't an average weight," she explains. "I have to do above and beyond what any of you guys would have to do. I have to try twice as hard, sometimes three times as hard -- just to maintain this level of ... chubbiness."

And she is right. She is chubby. By 21st century mainstream (and magazine) standards of beauty, this young woman is probably 30 pounds overweight. The dimples, the ponytail, the strawberries-and-cream complexion and the undeniable on-camera charisma make her very appealing. But there is no doubt that most physicians would urge her to lose weight.

Later in the film, we learn that she exercises three hours a day.

Read more: http://www.alternet.org/health/108513?page=1

[Maurya]

Any solution to any problem can not be found until the right questions are asked. In the case of this article (and presumably the documentary, although I have not yet seen it), at least the fallacy of the false argument "calories in - calories out" rightfully is being acknowledged as the fallacy that it is, and always has been.

Once this false factor has been thoroughly eliminated from public discussion, perhaps some real research can begin. The human biochemistry is unbelievably complex (duh!), complete with intricate feedback mechanisms that always will thwart any ham-handed interventions, medical, pharmaceutical, or just bludgeoning the body with endless treadmill exercise.

The false meme is dead; long live the true search for truth!

[Reesacat]

Fascinating article-I had never heard of the 'thrifty-gene' theory before.
I haz very thrifty genes!

[highlander]

My genes have a Scottish brogue and can survive winters of famine with nothing more than stale oats, ale, and a highland cow for warmth; and give birth in the Spring to a bouncing 8-lb baby. I got your thrifty right here *pats butt*

[mellowsong]

Great article, I wish doctors had to read it. I think my genes are more than thrifty, they are downright miserly! No matter what my problem, they always boil it down to my weight! Pneumonia...lose weight and I'll be able to breathe better; torn menisicus...lose weight and it won't happen again, incisional hernia...lose weight and it wouldn't have happened. Bull, the hernia occurred because the old incision line broke down. I could go on and on. During the first few years after I got hurt (when I knew nothing about nutrition etc) I was eating either a grilled cheese sandwich or peanut butter and cheese sandwich daily. ONE SANDWICH, about 400 calories. I drank diet soda and water so no calories there. During that time I gained nearly 30 lbs. Not a single doctor believed me. I'm immediately fat and lazy. Had a bronchoscopy last week. One minute the doc asks me if I'm always so short of breath I can't complete a single sentence in one breath and a minute later he's telling me my breathing problems are related to my weight, period, that I need to get out and exercise. I don't have enough air to talk but I can go exercise???? He did have the decency to look shocked when I told him that when I weighed 300 lbs I didn't have problems like this, that they developed AFTER losing over 70lbs. I'm sick of the medical establishment and mind sick at the fact that my body is betraying me and right now I have to rely on these idiots.

[highlander]

@mellowsong, I've found that if I say something to doctors that doesn't align with their programming they simply disregard what I said as though I'm delusional or a liar. It's completely disrespectful.
Many years ago my mom was scheduled for a surgery and her doctor wanted her to lose weight first. He put her on a 2000 calorie per day diet. She took one look at it and said that if she ate that much she'd gain weight really fast. He, of course, didn't believe her. She ate strictly according to his diet for a few weeks and went back to see him. She had gained quite a bit of weight and he just couldn't wrap his brain around it. If doctors would begin to actually listen to their patients we might see some progress. Step one would be for them to check their ego at the door.

[Maurya]

Mellowsong, you have added so much input to the ongoing "fatness" discussion. I use fatness, rather than weight or body mass, because I do think that this is the real issue of concern for most people. The thorny issue that bothers me is a chicken or egg question, correlation vs causation, and if causation, in which direction is it active. So much has been written as to fatness being an independent health risk, but I'm not so sure about that. Many individuals who I know have become fat, due to various health problems that have altered their normal way of life, including but not limited to patterns of exercise and movement.

As can be seen, I have no conclusive answer, but I really do appreciate everyone's input as to the real circumstances of life and health, as opposed to the assumptions that precede advice given by medical experts.