The obesity myth

JWR ^ | 4-27-05 | Tucker Carlson

[FlyLow]

Obesity is an epidemic in this country. At least four hundred thousand Americans die of it every year. Soon, being fat will overtake smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

That's what the Centers for Disease Control told us just last year. Politicians, celebrities and other public scolds immediately set about lecturing the rest of us about our chronic, repulsive weight problems.

Well, guess what? It was all a lie. According to a new federal study released this week, moderately fat people live longer than those of normal weight. In other words, being fashionably thin isn't the same as being healthy. As for those hundreds of thousands of overweight dead people, they don't exist. Obesity actually kills only about 26,000 Americans a year. Far fewer than alcohol and car crashes.

But don't expect the government to tell you any of this. Although the CDC concedes its original numbers were completely bogus — inflated by a factor of 15 — it does not plan to correct them in its public awareness campaigns.

But wait. Shouldn't scientists confine themselves to the facts? Sure. But the campaign against obesity was never just about science. It was about religion. And social class. And pure, old fashioned snobbery. In America, being fat isn't simply a health concern. It's a faux pas, an offense against good taste. Possibly even a sin.

Fat people have no self control. No self-respect. They're lazy and shiftless and dumb. They shop at WalMart and live in unfashionable places.

These are the things that every upper-middle class opinion maker knows about fat people. Attacking them is a guilt-free exercise in moral superiority.

[Gabz]

Diabetes is already at epidemic levels.

Absolutely no doubt about that

It will surpass todays levels though, because the schools provide nothing but junk food for lunch, and sodas out of the machines.

While I agree with you the rate will continue to grow, I don't agree it is entirely the fault of the schools. For instance, not only are there no vending machines in my daughter's school, soda is not permitted even in bagged lunches. A vegetable and fruit is always part of lunch. Granted that is only one school district, but it does go to show it can and is being done in some places

I know a lot of teens that have had to have their gall bladders out as early as 15.

That is just terrible.

There is a wide range of factors at play in the increase of diabetes, particularly in children, trying to pinpoint any one single causative factor will be difficult, if not impossible.

[VOX9]

"... According to a new federal study released this week, moderately fat people live longer than those of normal weight. ..."

The federal guidelines for "normal weight" are too low!!! Those "moderately fat people" are the normal ones.

[Darnright]

Did you say "obesity"?

[television is just wrong]

California schools have soda machines. The schools get paid back for the sales. Water is available also from vending machines, but being a pre-teen or teenager, which would most of them choose???

Wake up call is here and now before more damage is done to their young bodies.

[Diddle E. Squat]

I think we need to be concerned about people who are fat from childhood into adulthood. I would like to see studies on THAT. Sure, a few extra lbs isn't probably going to kill anyone (and some people are thin because of health issues that keep them from gaining weight). HOWEVER look at kids and teens today. Anyone with eyeballs can see that they are carrying more wieght that the average kid did 20 or 30 years ago. And, I have noticed many more girls are carrying it around their bellies. I wonder what the long term health consequences will be. No reason to panic, but certainly, parents should be looking at what their kids are eating, and how much activity they are getting. susie

Yep, but the problem is how do you quantify and measure lazy parents who can't say "No"?

[superiorslots]

This article is garbage.

I sell group health insurance and I'm in the trecnhes so to speak and see what's happening in the real world so to speak. The people that are overweight by 25+ lbs or more have HBP, diabetes, acid reflux, sleep apnea at unbelieveable numbers and is growing out of control. 20 years ago on a group of 10 employees 2-3 had medical conditions. Today 8-9 out of the 10 have medical conditions and the majority of it comes down to weight issues.

I can't tell you how many clients who have lost considerable weight also lowered their HBP, got their diabetes, sleep apnea etc under control.

[Sam Cree]

"I have practically gotten to the point where I regard these so-called "studies" with a grain of salt."

Yes, me too. Actually, IMO, a grain of salt is too mild a description. I think most studies, and also polls, have an agenda and it's not usually the one put forward. Sometimes their function is to gather cheap publicity or grants, sometimes the function is political, sometimes I guess it's even legitimate.

The number of direct contradictions in theory and perception advanced by medical science just in my lifetime is amazing.

[Gabz]

I personally have a difficult time with those type of "sponsorship" deals. While I can accept the idea of an "exclusive" contract with a particular company for refreshments at sporting events as a fundraising tool - I've got a major problem with it being done just for general purposes.

I remember it being a hot topic a few years ago in a school district near the Maryland/Delaware state line ....when parents heard about the proposed deal with the school district and Pepsi they went ballistic and the plan was dropped.

In no way did I mean to imply that I didn't believe such situations existed, I was just giving an example of one district that does not do it. Kids get enough soda and junk food outside of school, they don't need it in school.

[television is just wrong]

I agree, but it does still happen.

[Gabz]

I wish more school districts would have the no soda and no vending machines policy mine does, particulary in the elementary and middle schools.

I also wish more would put back mandatory phsy ed and recess....the lack of physical activity, in addition to all the useless calories, is another major part of the problem, IMO.

I'm no expert, and don't have a lot of experience, as I only have one child who is not quite 7 who happens to be a little bit of a thing, but have noticed that the kids who are really active and like to run and jump and play outdoors are not the ones with the problems.......in other words I firmly believe that children should be allowed to be children.

BTW - I really like your screen name :)

[SamAdams76]

Typical bait-and-switch. The headline suggests that being obese is okay until you get to about the third or fourth paragraph where you see this disclaimer...

According to a new federal study released this week, moderately fat people live longer than those of normal weight.

Of course, "moderately fat" is not defined. Is it 10% above normal weight? 20% above normal weight? Who the heck knows? Therefore, this article is totally worthless and even dangerous as it will be used by people to justify being obese. And that's a shame.

I speak as one who used to be obese and when I was obese, I looked for every excuse in the book to justify the way I was. It was "in my genes." I had a "low metabolism." I was "allergic to exercise."

I was developing Type II diabetes, hypertension and heart disease and none of that had any effect on my deciding to lose weight. What made me decide to lose weight in the end was shame. I was ashamed of the way I looked and decided to make a change. So while I have a special sensitivity towards obese people and would never think of belittling or "shaming" them, I must say that had I myself never been at the receiving end of the jokes and insults (even the ones that were good-natured), I probably never would have been motivated to take the weight off.

[Labyrinthos]

I think that fat deaths aren't going up, smoking deaths are just going down.

What about fatties who smoke? If they kick early due to a massive heart attack is the death counted as fat related, smoking related, or both?

If we really want to examine the statistics, how do we count the fatty who smokes and dies after suffering a heart attack while driving drunk?

[CheneyChick]

Now that is just wrong. I bet they have a hard time finding clothes to fit - which might explain why they aren't wearing any.

[jtminton]

That diaper is really being tested to the structural limits there, isn't it.

[television is just wrong]

I have been involved with my local school district now since 1990. I was one semester away from credentials to teach, secondary level education.

After the stuff I have experienced, I have decided not to go for the last semester to get my teaching credentials. I am instead going into business for myself. The PC stuff is too thick, and the feel good and lies the tell the parents is just way more than I can deal with.

Seen too much

and thank you for the compliment. ;)

[brytlea]

Yeah, it's sad, I remember the days when we walked all over town as kids and no one ever thought a thing about it.
susie

[brytlea]

I know they exercise alot less, and we ate junk food to some extent. However, when I was growing up most moms made sure the kids ate a healthy dinner, nowadays dinnner is often fast food, coke, etc. And having taught recently, I can assure everyone that what passes for school lunches these days is not very healthy, add to that vending machines in the schools....
Really, it's a multi faceted problem.
I just wish more parents would take it seriously.
I don't really want to support them when they can't work.
susie

[brytlea]

I knew diabetes was on the rise in kids. I didn't know about gall bladders. Now that's sad.
susie

[brytlea]

Yep, but the problem is how do you quantify and measure lazy parents who can't say "No"?
You don't. But at least we can get the word out and some people might listen. Public education is not a bad thing. It doesn't have to be followed up by federal laws.
susie

[ihv2bme]

That is the truth...parents need to watch what their kids are eating and watch what they are eating. After all kids learn from their parents. Furthermore it's not always about how much you eat but whether you are exercising as well. As long as you are burning more than taking in or at least trying to exercise!

There are people who have legitimate excuses for obesity. However those who are just heavy because they are lazy...take some responsibility!