Losing weight is clearly too difficult, because being fat in itself causes progressive weight gain. Preventing obesity is a matter of watching over children BEFORE the age of Six, which is Nature's landmark age for lean body build. A child overweight or obese by age Seven is almost fore-ordained to be an overweight or obese adult. If you don't believe me, look at the BMI for Age charts. The percentile lines below 50%ile are parallel; the ones above fan out. Each percentile line 50% and below shows a dip at age 6 and then a rise; the ones above show a dip before 6 and a breathtaking rise after.
Laura Nathanson, M.D., F. A. A. P.of CA11:46PM May 10, 2012
The CDC predicts that by 2030, 42% of Americans will be obese.
The headline that caught my eye today; “Obesity fight must shift from personal blame: U.S. panel”.
Changing policies and public opinion, is like stopping the Titanic. At cruising speed of 32 knots it would take under a mile. The momentum is simply to powerful at this point to make significant change.
My suggestion is to abandon ship. Grab your loved ones, jump on the nearest life raft, and row your ass off.
Unfortunately, it is going to take a lot more grisly statistics until we see change; and the change will come from the consumers demanding it, not policy makers. You can build more sidewalks, a suggestion from the IOM, but you can’t make someone walk on them. However, diagnose someone with obesity related disease and you will likely create a pedestrian.
Reader Comments
Back to article
Laura Nathanson, M.D., F. A. A. P. of CA 11:46PM May 10, 2012
Ian Welch of FL 12:00PM May 08, 2012
Johnnytruth of CA 10:34AM May 08, 2012