Researcher gets $1M to study thin people

San Jose Mercury News ^ | 01/02/04 | Associated Press

[Holly_P]

DENVER - A Denver endocrinologist has been awarded $1 million to study the psyches and biology of thin people over the next five years.

For years, Dr. Dan Bessesen has overfed fat rats, put them on diets and on small exercise wheels, and studied why they repeatedly gained and lost weight. What caught his interest were the skinny rats. They seemed to know to eat less.

[68skylark]

In a free society, it is up to the individual to control his/her weight, whether the scienctists know what makes people that way or not.

You might be right -- maybe no amount of research and knowledge can help this problem. Still, since this problem is costing us trillions, I don't mind a few million here and there for research -- maybe they'll find something that helps at least a few people.

[Independentamerican]

My Girlfriend and I went to cancun this past summer and we stayed at a hotel which seemed to cater more to families. After 3 days of socializing with other people and finding out where in the world they were from I came to realize that most if not all of the people that were overweight were Americans. Even the American children were overweight in comparison to most of the other children there. It really does not hit you that we have a big problem until you visit other countries and take a good look around.

[T.Smith]

"You might be right -- maybe no amount of research and knowledge can help this problem. Still, since this problem is costing us trillions, I don't mind a few million here and there for research -- maybe they'll find something that helps at least a few people.

In a free society we should not be paying for the eating habits of other people. So, you see, the "few million here and there" should be moot as the "obesity epidemic" should be costing society nothing. It's the obese that should be paying for their obesity.

[Independentamerican]

That guy sounds like me. I am 6'2 and weigh 207 lbs. But my sophomore in high school i weighed 155lbs. I had to go on an eat all I could see diet as well as lift weights to get to where I am at now. If I take 2 weeks of off eating and training my weight tends to go right back down to 200lbs. Heck I took the whole summer off of lifting weights and eating 6 times a day and my weight dropped from 204lbs to 192lbs.

[Capriole]

I don't mind spending tax money on legitimate science, either--hey, I was trained as a scientist! I like to see friends get big fat grants! But this is garbage science. This is not something that needs lavish dollops of tax money, like figuring out how to cure cancer or go back to the moon. The fact that Americans are fat while our cousins in other countries are slender shows that our waistlines have nothing whatever to do with genes. If you're fat and your mama was fat, that has nothing to do with genes; that's the result of behavior you learned at her knee, or the result of your own lack of self control in the face of America's amazing bounty of food.

[annyokie]

I'm only 5'4" and weigh about 130 pounds, now that I am 45. I need to remind myself to eat or like you, I end up looking like Kate Moss with breasts.

[tracer]

If you really are a "Dr.", it is your response to this potentially valuable study is difficult to believe or fathom.......

[tracer]

Good insight on your part, IMO. At least a few folks here "get it." And you don't even refer to yourself as "Dr." Have a great year......

[Wonder Warthog]

"My mother is here with me for the holiday, and this morning she had toast for breakfast. Then I offered her Christmas cookies, and she declined. Evenings she brushes and flosses her teeth after dinner and eats nothing else. She weighs 95 lbs. and I don't think anyone needs to study why."

Yes, but WHY can she do that, with no conscious effort on her part?? What is different between her and fatter folks, many of whom ARE making a signficiant effort and NOT succeeding?? It isn't all just "will-power" (or "won't power").

I suspect that in the end, the determining factor will differ for broad classes of people. I think Dr. Atkins was absolutely right about the effects of carbohydrates and insulin (on SOME people), as it appears that I am one of them.

[Independentamerican]

LOL :-)

[RightWhale]

exactly where in the Constitution is the federal government authorized

You are correct. Someone should do a study at taxpayers expense to find out how the Feds are authorized to spend money on science.

[flashbunny]

maybe after that we can commission a study on what makes freepers think it's ok for the federal government to spend taxpayer money without the consitutional authority to do so, as long as it 'sounds like a good idea'.

[RightWhale]

We had a recent series of threads on various rhetorical methods, some used on FR, such as 'begging the question.'

[sunryse]

>Hah, when I was growing up my parents loved taking me to >buffets. I would eat everything in site, and then some. >I'm still thin and still eat a fair amount. In fact, I do >have to watch it, because I lose weight very easily. Oh >yeah, I'm over 40, some metabolic slowdown, but not much.

Well, may I be the first to say, WELL GOOOOOD FOR YOOOOUUUU. ;o)

[stylin_geek]

Yeah, good for me, I'm 6'3", 165# and look like I'm one step away from anorexia all the time.

[Cultural Jihad]

[Dr. Scarpetta]

"If you really are a "Dr.", it is your response to this potentially valuable study is difficult to believe or fathom......."

*The Kay Scarpetta Series:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/series/-/83/mass%5Fmarket/103-3228853-8212608

[Glenn]

it's a severe drain on the economy (through taxes, lost productivity, injuries, malpractice suits, etc). And it's aesthetically offensive.

I demand proof!

[shiva]

Love Patricia Cornwell's books. Read just about everyone. You have any favorites you can recomend....murder mysteries are what I like. I recently discovered M.C. Beaton and read all I could fine. She is sorta like a Miss Marple. I get all my books from the library and buy some from half price stores. Then I give them to the Goodwill.

http://www.myshelf.com/aom/03/beaton_mc.htm

[Dr. Scarpetta]

IMO the last few Scarpetta books have been a little weird. I was sorry Wesley got murdered in such a gruesome way. (Haven't read Blowfish yet. Did you like it?)