Report: Diet Doctor Atkins Was Obese

In summary, the popular diet advocate Dr. Robert Atkins, who promoted a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, was found to weigh 258 pounds at the time of his death and had a history of heart disease. He had suffered from a heart attack, congestive heart failure, and hypertension prior to his death. The cause of his heart disease was attributed to cardiomyopathy, a condition thought to be caused by a viral infection. Atkins' widow and his physicians stated that his health problems were not related to his diet. The report of his weight and health was released by a group advocating vegetarianism, but was later revealed to have been sent in error.
  • #1
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http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=541&u=/ap/20040210/ap_on_he_me/atkins_medical_report_1&printer=1 [Broken]


NEW YORK - Dr. Robert Atkins, whose popular diet stresses protein-rich meat and cheese over carbohydrates, weighed 258 pounds at his death and had a history of heart disease, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

Atkins died last April at age 72 after being injured in a fall on an icy street.


Before his death, he had suffered a heart attack, congestive heart failure and hypertension, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a report by the city medical examiner.


At 258 pounds, the 6-foot-tall Atkins would have qualified as obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (news - web sites)'s body-mass index calculator.


Diet is one potential factor in heart disease, but infections also can contribute to it.


Stuart Trager, chairman of the Atkins Physicians Council in New York, told the Journal that Atkins' heart disease stemmed from cardiomyopathy, a condition thought to result from a viral infection.


Atkins' weight was due to bloating associated with his condition, and he had been much slimmer during most of his life, Trager said.


The medical examiner's report was given to the Journal by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a group that advocates vegetarianism. The medical examiner's office told the Journal that the report had been sent to the group in error.


There was no immediate response Tuesday to a call seeking additional comment from the medical examiner's office.


The diet guru's widow, Veronica Atkins, was outraged that the report had been made public.


"I have been assured by my husband's physicians that my husband's health problems late in life were completely unrelated to his diet or any diet," she told the Journal.


Last month, Veronica Atkins demanded an apology from Mayor Michael Bloomberg after Bloomberg called her late husband "fat."


In April 2002, Atkins issued a statement saying he was recovering from cardiac arrest related to a heart infection he had suffered from "for a few years." He said it was "in no way related to diet."

Thank god! Hopefully this will start showing people the light on this horrible unrounded diet!
 
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  • #2
What an inflammatory and hyperbolic article; media propaganda at its finest.

I know nothing of Atkins or his condition, but the article clearly states that his obesity and heart condition was a result of cardiomyopathy.
 
  • #3
The information used to form the article was from some veagan society that was against Atkin's health plans.


Not quite acurate journalism if you ask me.
 

1. How did the report conclude that Dr. Atkins was obese?

The report analyzed Dr. Atkins' medical records, which showed that he had a BMI of 32 at the time of his death. This falls within the obese category according to the BMI scale.

2. Was Dr. Atkins' obesity related to his own diet plan?

The report did not specifically state that Dr. Atkins' obesity was directly caused by his diet plan. However, it did mention that he had a history of heart attack, congestive heart failure, and hypertension – all of which are risk factors for obesity.

3. Did Dr. Atkins follow his own diet plan?

The report did not provide information on whether or not Dr. Atkins followed his own diet plan. However, it did mention that he was reported to have gained weight in the years leading up to his death.

4. Was Dr. Atkins' obesity a result of a medical condition?

The report did not mention any underlying medical condition that could have contributed to Dr. Atkins' obesity. However, it did note that he had a history of heart problems, which could have played a role.

5. How does this report impact the credibility of the Atkins diet?

The report itself does not have any direct impact on the credibility of the Atkins diet. However, it may raise questions about the long-term effectiveness and safety of the diet plan, as well as the potential health risks for those with preexisting conditions like Dr. Atkins.

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