- #181
Jimmy Snyder
- 1,122
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I gained a few grams this morning in the form of twenty dollar bills.
The Obesity Epidemic: What Can Be Done to Stop It?
- Thread starter DanP
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- Obesity
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the obesity epidemic in the western world, exploring the roles of the medical system, government intervention, education, and personal responsibility in addressing the issue. Participants examine various perspectives on how to raise awareness and implement effective strategies to combat obesity, including the necessity of nutrition education in schools and the influence of socioeconomic factors.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Exploratory
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants question the effectiveness of government intervention in addressing obesity, suggesting that personal motivation is crucial for individuals to change their habits.
- Others argue that education on nutrition and health should be mandatory in schools, similar to literacy education, to combat obesity from a young age.
- One participant shares a personal account of obesity linked to medication, emphasizing that not all cases of obesity are due to personal choices.
- Concerns are raised about the quality of school lunches and the impact of socioeconomic factors on healthy eating, with some suggesting that cooking from scratch is often overlooked due to lack of knowledge or time.
- Participants discuss the challenges faced by families in lower economic strata, including the stress of single-parent households and limited access to healthy food options.
- There is a recognition that while education can be provided, ultimately individuals must make their own choices regarding health and nutrition.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views, with no clear consensus on the best approach to addressing the obesity epidemic. Some advocate for government intervention and education, while others emphasize personal responsibility and the limitations of such measures.
Contextual Notes
Participants highlight various assumptions, such as the belief that education alone will lead to behavior change, and the complexities surrounding socioeconomic factors that influence dietary choices. There are also unresolved discussions about the effectiveness of past educational programs and the role of external influences on personal health decisions.
- #182
DanP
- 114
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Congratulations Jimmy.
- #183
lisab
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
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Count Iblis said:Jimmy no longer qualifies for a free meal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_Attack_Grill"
"Here" being the Heart Attack Grill. Their spokesman, a 575-pound, 29-year-old man, died Tuesday -- not of a heart attack, but of pneumonia.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41899470/ns/today-food/
Good grief, his BMI was 63.
This may be a silly question but is obesity a risk factor for pneumonia?
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- #184
DanP
- 114
- 1
There is some evidence out there that obesity may impair immune function.
- #185
nismaratwork
- 358
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lisab said:
It is a risk factor for almost everything... and at that weight I'd assume sleep apnea of some severity... also a risk factor.
575... my g-d... and 63 BMI?... I find that sad.
I myself fell to precipitous weight gain, but am in the process of reversing that. I don't weigh anything like 575, I'm 6'2" with a broad frame... and I don't think I could WALK at that weight!
Surely that kind of eating and lack of activity is nothing if not passive suicide.
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