Posted on 06/19/2002 11:21:13 PM PDT by JohnHuang2
Edited on 07/12/2004 3:54:50 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
An abiding weakness of the conventional wisdom is that, once a supposed fact has become part of that wisdom, it becomes almost impossible to dislodge it.
Contemporary journalism contributes to this problem by relying on technologies that help ensure an assertion, once it is repeated enough times, will never be checked against the actual evidence. Consider for example the claim that fat kills 300,000 Americans per year, and is thus the nation's second leading cause of premature death, trailing only cigarettes. A Lexis database search reveals that this "fact" has been repeated in more than one thousand news stories over the past three years alone. Yet the evidence for this claim is so slim as to be practically nonexistent.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Will many people be helped by toning up and losing some fat? Yes, of course.
BTW, although I don't have a definitive study to point to, I think the "fat problem" in this country really skyrocketed when low-fat diets and no-fat products began to predominate the shelves and the airwaves in the 80s.
Yes.
I see your point.
Very Christ-like.
I've been involved in programs where people where asked to keep food diaries---then those diaries were assessed as to the nutrional content. Honestly, people who thought they were eating "healthy" were shocked! For example, the typical nutrional need for protein for an average weight female (130 to 150 pounds) for an entire day is about a half inch thick and would fit in the palm of her hand, without overlapping! And iceberg lettuce does not count as a serving of vegetables. It's only value is if you like to chew your water. Yet, in spite of their nutrional "training" many people think they are eating "healthy" when they have an iceberg lettuce salad with thousand island dressing.
You seem to have a mad-on toward fat people. I have been a fat person and I have lots of friends and loved ones who are fat people.
Your elitist, I'm-better-than-they-are attitude is ignorant, bigoted, and short-sighted. You don't seem to be able to see beyond your nose. You apparently think "if they only" controlled their eating, they wouldn't be fat.
Heck, you can't control your wagging tongue for a single day, but you've got the answer for them?
Remove your own beam, ppaul.
I knew it.
And, you don't have a sense of humor.
So much for the stereotype of "jolly" fat people.
Where or when did I say that?
Is that what you think?
Must be your guilty conscience, eh?
No offense intended, but your comments and your screen name seem a little contradictory. If it's because you are overweight, don't be so defensive. Jesus still loves you! As long as you keep in mind His one commandment, that we love one another. That's how the world knows of Him!
I've been fighting the extra pounds battle for most of my life---with marginal success.
And, in spite of the fact that I misread the survey I referred you to, I still think the fattening of our society is a serious medical problem with serious consequences. Not only are the excess pounds being packed on, but people who think they are getting proper nutrition are in fact nutritional deprived, in some cases actually suffering from malnutrition, even though they are overweight or obese. I have first-hand experience having spent six months in the hospital with an eating disorder. I spent every single day in nutrition classes, counseling, etc.
At the same time, our society is obsessed with the "beautiful" people, most of whom are underweight. And so the frustration and conflict mounts, driving many people, myself included, to the closest box of cookies or gallon of ice cream for "comfort."
TV causes so much conflict. We watch the movie stars, slim and trim, in between commercials for McD's or Burger King or pizza or whatever. When I'm REALLY putting effort into weight control (and not in one of my "I don't care, I am who I am" moods) I can't watch TV. All I think about is food! The abundance and easy, cheap access to high caloric foods and the societal pressure to be thin is enough to drive any person with a weight "problem" into turmoil!
The lack of a sense of humor regarding food issues is not unusual for those of us who fight the battle! :~)
I've been fighting it all my life. When I finally came to terms with the fact that I was the only one to "blame", that I needed to accept responsibility, and needed to accept my psychological dependence on food, could I start to get more "light-hearted" about the whole thing and even joke about it.
It's an unbelievably tough battle. Food, cheap, easy, wonderfully delicious, and deadly, is everywhere and very engrained in our society, culture, family relationships, and social institutions. Just imagine a family gathering without high calorie food! Some people can walk away from it without a second thought. My husband is one. He considers eating a necessary but annoying part of life. Whereas I can easily obsess over food, especially with what I can't eat. Why the difference, who knows? I spent many years angry about it, finally gave up the anger and decided to develop a sense of humor about it---but it's not easy!
I totally agree. And weight control is a highly individual issue. Food has different importance and use to each of us. Believe me, I wish I could find the magic ingredient that my husband has: he could care less about food! I, on the other hand, have spent literally every day of my life thinking about what I am or am not eating. It took me years, and a long hospital stay, to finally learn that my self-worth is not based on what I weigh!
But my point on this thread is to try and explain, that even though the problem of weight is complex, every tool and bit of information that can help someone is worth the effort. There is no simple, easy solution. And no "one" right way for everyone. But through my own experiences, it seems to me, right or wrong, that people are deceived about what they are eating and overly enticed to eat the wrong things. Any effort to expose the deception is worth it, if it helps just one person.
From my mouth...straight to my hips! :~)
There is no contradiction. The only way I am saved is because of God's grace. Not by my actions, that's for sure. No pretense here.
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