Today I am going to begin dispelling myths about the “obesity epidemic”. Since this is such a controversial topic, I am going to post citations so that those who are so inclined can read the research
for themselves. Modern science has in fact found no evidence for the myriad health concerns that we are told are part of the “obesity epidemic”. Claims that obesity causes cardiovascular disease and diabetes are not well supported by the available evidence. In fact, here is a
list of claims that the science does support:
-Weight cycling, rather than obesity, is likely to be the cause of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease seen in obese persons (Ernsberger and Koletsky, 2002). Weight cycling is repeated diets and weight loss followed by weight gain.
-All obese people do not have heart disease (Bacon and Aphramor,
2011).
-Obese people with heart disease
have better health outcomes than thin people with heart disease (Bacon and
Aphramor, 2011).
-There is no evidence that obesity causes heart disease (Bacon and
Aphramor, 2011).
-There is evidence that weight cycling causes inflammation, which may be a factor in developing heart disease (Bacon and Aphramor,
2011).
-Low cardiorespiratory fitness is a risk factor for heart disease (Carnethon, Gulati, and Greenland, 2005). In other words, being physically active promotes heart health.
-Obese people who suffer heart
attacks have better survival rates than thin and underweight people (Lavie,
Milani, and Ventura, 2009).
-Studies indicate that 50-70 percent of a person’s BMI (body mass index) and degree of body fat is determined by genetic influences (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013), not diet or exercise.
In light of the evidence, we can see that the "obesity epidemic" is really more of a war against body diversity than a public health issue. Next time you encounter "public health" messages about the "obesity epidemic", question what you hear. Don't fall into the trap of dieting and starving yourself to fit a narrow idea of beauty. As seen in the evidence above, dieting does more harm than good. Love yourself, move around a little bit each day, drink lots of water, and eat whole foods. Respect the beauty of your unique body and don't let anyone tell you differently.
Reference List
Bacon, L. and Aphramor, L. (2011) ‘Weight science:
evaluating the evidence for a paradigm shift’, Nutrition
Journal, 10 [Online]. Available at: http://www.nutritionj.com/content/10/1/9
(Accessed: 16 August
2012).
Carnethon, M.R., Gulati, M., Greenland,
P. (2005) ‘Prevalence and cardiovascular disease correlates of
low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescents and adults’ Journal
of the American Medical Association,
294(23), pp. 2981-2988 [Online]. Available at: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1108366 (Accessed: 18 August
2012).
Ernsberger, P. and
Koletsky, R.J. (1999) ‘Biomedical rationale for a wellness approach
to obesity: an alternative to a focus on weight loss’ Journal of
Social Issues, 55(2), pp. 221-260 [Online]. DOI: 10.1111/0022-4537.00114
(Accessed: 18 August 2012).
Lavie, C.J., Milani, R.V., and
Ventura, H.O. (2009) ‘Obesity and cardiovascular disease: risk factor,
paradox, and impact of weight loss’, Journal of the
American College of Cardiology, 53(21), pp. 1925-1932
[Online]. DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2008.12.068 (Accessed: 18
August 2012).
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(2013) Childhood Obesity [Online]. Available at: http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/ (Accessed: 8
March 2013).
In case any of you are inclined to believe that I am biased because I
myself am obese, I am posting my photo here:
for themselves. Modern science has in fact found no evidence for the myriad health concerns that we are told are part of the “obesity epidemic”. Claims that obesity causes cardiovascular disease and diabetes are not well supported by the available evidence. In fact, here is a
list of claims that the science does support:
-Weight cycling, rather than obesity, is likely to be the cause of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease seen in obese persons (Ernsberger and Koletsky, 2002). Weight cycling is repeated diets and weight loss followed by weight gain.
-All obese people do not have heart disease (Bacon and Aphramor,
2011).
-Obese people with heart disease
have better health outcomes than thin people with heart disease (Bacon and
Aphramor, 2011).
-There is no evidence that obesity causes heart disease (Bacon and
Aphramor, 2011).
-There is evidence that weight cycling causes inflammation, which may be a factor in developing heart disease (Bacon and Aphramor,
2011).
-Low cardiorespiratory fitness is a risk factor for heart disease (Carnethon, Gulati, and Greenland, 2005). In other words, being physically active promotes heart health.
-Obese people who suffer heart
attacks have better survival rates than thin and underweight people (Lavie,
Milani, and Ventura, 2009).
-Studies indicate that 50-70 percent of a person’s BMI (body mass index) and degree of body fat is determined by genetic influences (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013), not diet or exercise.
In light of the evidence, we can see that the "obesity epidemic" is really more of a war against body diversity than a public health issue. Next time you encounter "public health" messages about the "obesity epidemic", question what you hear. Don't fall into the trap of dieting and starving yourself to fit a narrow idea of beauty. As seen in the evidence above, dieting does more harm than good. Love yourself, move around a little bit each day, drink lots of water, and eat whole foods. Respect the beauty of your unique body and don't let anyone tell you differently.
Reference List
Bacon, L. and Aphramor, L. (2011) ‘Weight science:
evaluating the evidence for a paradigm shift’, Nutrition
Journal, 10 [Online]. Available at: http://www.nutritionj.com/content/10/1/9
(Accessed: 16 August
2012).
Carnethon, M.R., Gulati, M., Greenland,
P. (2005) ‘Prevalence and cardiovascular disease correlates of
low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescents and adults’ Journal
of the American Medical Association,
294(23), pp. 2981-2988 [Online]. Available at: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1108366 (Accessed: 18 August
2012).
Ernsberger, P. and
Koletsky, R.J. (1999) ‘Biomedical rationale for a wellness approach
to obesity: an alternative to a focus on weight loss’ Journal of
Social Issues, 55(2), pp. 221-260 [Online]. DOI: 10.1111/0022-4537.00114
(Accessed: 18 August 2012).
Lavie, C.J., Milani, R.V., and
Ventura, H.O. (2009) ‘Obesity and cardiovascular disease: risk factor,
paradox, and impact of weight loss’, Journal of the
American College of Cardiology, 53(21), pp. 1925-1932
[Online]. DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2008.12.068 (Accessed: 18
August 2012).
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(2013) Childhood Obesity [Online]. Available at: http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/ (Accessed: 8
March 2013).
In case any of you are inclined to believe that I am biased because I
myself am obese, I am posting my photo here: