Union of Earth and Water – Peter Paul Reubens (1918)
If you’re like me, you’ve heard a lot about the “obesity crisis” in the United States. Just for fun, let’s take a look at thirteen ideas about fat that you might not have read in the headlines.
Thursday Thirteen #8: Thirteen thoughts about fat.
1. Women with curves are smarter. Did you see this article? Scientists from the University of California and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed data from 16,000 women and girls and found participants with smaller waists than hips were significantly smarter. Bigger the hips? The smarter the woman.
2. And just what side of 50% do I fit on? We look at scientific studies and declare truths about ourselves. But I’ve never seen a study where half or more of the original population showed benefit from the (fill in the blank). And placebo is often the best thing they have tested. You have ask: ‘where do I fit in this study?’ More times than not, the study has nothing to do with you.
3. Studies show no evidence of negative effects of fat. Bet you didn’t know that. I asked Michael Roizen (co-author of the YOU series) and he agreed. He quickly added that being fat isn’t the problem. It depends on where you store fat in your body and then, depending on what you believe, the effects of that fat. Our terror of being fat is more harmful than actually being fat. Interested? Read Obesity Myth
4. Obesity strikes America. You’ve probably heard that. Funny thing is that the entire world is getting fat. 10% of Chinese children are obese. Yeah, those kids you were supposed to finish your dinner for. Worldwide, 40% of men are obese and 30% of women. If obesity is a world phenomena, maybe something other than “eat right/exercise” is going on.
5. Over 70? You better be fat. Why? Your chances of surviving a trip to the hospital increase when you are obese.
6. You are more likely to die from medical intervention than from being fat. That’s just a fact. The number one killer in the United States is the medical establishment.
7. The Fox moved into the chicken coop. The people who promote weight loss are the very people who stand to benefit from your business. The diet industry hoovered 35 billion dollars out of American’s wallets. Trust me. No one’s thinking about what is best for you and your body. They are counting on you to fail.
8. Doctors receive almost no education in nutrition and exercise. You know more about diet and exercise than your general practitioner. They receive little to no education about nutrition and/or exercise in medical school. They, like you, count on the media (read: Cosmo magazine) for their latest diet and nutrition information. If your doctor looks at you and says anything about diet and exercise – ask him or her what his percent fat is. Can’t answer? Don’t listen. Find someone who can answer the question and listen to them.
9. Taking an antidepressant? Plan to get fat. Not only are you taking a substance with little or not scientific proof that it works, you also can guarantee that you are going to get fat. With over 35 million scripts in England (2006) and 118 million scripts in the United States (2005), why do we wonder why people are overweight?
10. Is it fat? or stress? Take a gander at the death statistics with me. I’ll mark the ones where stress is a known co-factor in the disease.
Heart disease: 652,486 (Stress)
Cancer: 553,888 (Stress)
Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 150,074 (Stress)
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 121,987 (Stress)
Accidents (unintentional injuries): 112,012 (Stress)
Diabetes: 73,138 (Stress)
Alzheimer’s disease: 65,965 (Stress)
Influenza/Pneumonia: 59,664
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 42,480 (Stress)
Septicemia: 33,373
(From CDC fast facts, 2004 Data)
Oh, did you know stress causes an increase in fat storage? In your lower belly? That’s right. Stress is the reason you are fat. Sadly, stress reduction is not a multi-billion dollar business otherwise you would know this.
11. BMI? The BMI is bullshit. Did you know that they measured the BMI of the entire NBA? According to the BMI, those athletes are obese. The most obese? Shaquille O’Neil whose actual body fat is 13%. Since we determine obesity statistics from BMI, you have to ask: “Is the world really getting fatter?”
12. Too much information. Every day we hear another study about what “works” for losing weight. A friend of mine told me this story. One day, she was hungry. She went to the local natural food center to buy lunch. Everything she reached for was “bad” for her. She set down fruit because it turns to “sugar” in her blood. She set down bread because it was “simple carbs” and she didn’t want to get fat. She looked at the salad bar but found it riddled with “starches”. Frustrated, and now more hungry, she left the store and went to McDonalds. If everything she touched was bad for her, why not just eat at McDonalds! I bet that’s happened to you. We have so much information that we have no idea how or what to feed ourselves. Food is the enemy. (Want some good advice? Jack LaLanne says, ‘if man made it don’t eat it.’ Stick with that and you’ll do fine.)
13. And, fat feels good in bed. Breast and hips are made of fat. It doesn’t take a genius to know that men like a little fat in bed. Ask Michael Ventura or maybe Joe DiMaggio.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that we should all be as fat as we want to be. I’m saying that food is not the enemy. You can have the body of your dreams when you have to find the solution for YOUR body.
Don’t fall for bullshit. You are a unique individual with individual history, genetics, and experience. You solution should match you, not some study.
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
| 1. Raggedy 2. No nonsense girl 3. Adelle Laudan 4. WorksForMom 5. Joely 6. Rhonda 7. pussreboots 8. Crazy Working Mom 9. Julie 10. Greatfullivin 11. Grace 12. MomG 13. damozel 14. Candy Minx 15. PMKU |
16. nicholas 17. The Gal Herself 18. Natalie 19. Baba/night owl 20. Rae 21. Darla 22. Susan Helene Gottfried 23. HG 24. Janet 25. nap warden 26. SandyCarlson 27. maryt 28. Nancy Bond 29. Journeywoman 30. Ann Aguirre |
31. Yen 32. Leigh 33. Hugs N Stuff 34. Penelope Anne 35. jenn 36. Vixen 37. Jeannene @ Love Conquers All 38. tommie 39. Travis 40. Hope 41. Malcolm 42. betty 43. Samantha_K 44. Tink |
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Thank you for that very informative Thirteen!
I felt some of my stress lifted.
Terrific Thursday Thirteen!
My TT is posted.
Have a wonderful day!
Happy TT’ing!
*^_^
(=’:'=)
(“)_ (“)?
Raggedy
Curves are good, curves are feminine…
My TT’s up!!!
I think I love you! What a refreshing Thursday Thirteen! I think I
WILL have that bowl of icecream *wink
Happy T13!
NICE! I Love it! Great list for a T13. Very unique!
What an interesting take on obesity! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Right on sista’! Woohoo – you said it. The points you make about the doctors not having any education on this is another whole TT :0
Hey, thanks for the pep talk. I’m with your friend, let’s just hit Mickey D’s and be done with it (smile).
Raggedy – Yea! Lifted stress! Glad I could help!
No Nonsense – Got to love the curves!
Adelle Lauden – Yummy! I’ll be right over!
Works for Mom – I aim to please.
Joely – Interesting is good.
Rhonda – High five! Maybe we should write the doctor one together!?!
Lori – mmmm did you say Big Mac? You have my attention now!
Thanks for stopping by my TT. Sorry you have the song stuck in your head now.
I did see that article in #1! I find it odd that people think J Lo has “large” hips! Bwahhhhhhhaaaaaa!!! I’d love to be “large” like her. *LOL*
Great TT. Thanks for stopping by.
Great T13! I feel much better now
And thanks for visiting my T13.
I am done worrying about these extra 20 lbs. I am old now and I NEED the weight. LOved your list. Very interesting! Happy TT
I agree, men like a little more flesh in bed. My hubby don’t get the sex appeal of thin as stick ramp models!
I just resent the fact that society wants women to disappear. Just stand your ground! cool post….
This wa sfantastic…i didn’t know a lot of these stats. What I did know is that almost emphasis is given to health car professionals and doctors about nutrition. That bothers me so much…it’s often looked at as quack.
Good stuff…and you know what else..
i have been using a eat fat lose fat diet. I’m not kidding…it’s totally counter intuitive.
you can read my book review on it here if you are curious:
http://gnosticminx.blogspot.com/2007/05/there-is-no-spoon_16.html
Very cool list! Thanks for the education.
[...] celebsnow.net wrote an interesting post today on Thursday Thirteen – Obesity.Here’s a quick excerptThe diet industry hoovered 35 billion dollars out of American?s … It?s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are… [...]
Are you sure #8 is right? That is very alarming!
I like that there are facts to support my intuitions–that my body is not slender, but I am quite fit and would outlast a lot of skinnies.
Quite a shop you have set up over here. I’m impressed!
Oh, thank you for this! Your timing was so perfect. As I approach menopause, my hormones and metabolism are all over the place and I’ve gained a ton. I’m working out and watching my diet, yet jeans I bought a few months ago don’t zip up anymore. I try to concentrate on my lower cholesterol & increased energy and strength, but the flab around my middle is so disconcerting. Thanks for refocusing me. (And for visiting my TT)
That’s my favorite TT yet! Thanks!
Hi Claudia, Your post is great… It is said that your waist measurement can determine if you are over weight…Something new comes out everyday..Even after you lose weight , the hanging skin is bad and needs to be cut off, but is too costly… I wish insurance would pay for this problem.Thanks for your visit to my place. Baba
Great list its nice to know that alot of what people are saying is BS I don’t see anything wrong with a women who has curves Happy?TT?
Fabulous post! I don’t think anyone thinks 400+ pounds is healthy, but there are a whole lot of us women out there who are bigger than a size 2, who are being told all the time that we’re fat.
I’ve ranted about the BMI before–my very muscular husband ends up obese. And he has 16% body fat. *rolling my eyes* He likes my curves, too.
My favorite part, though, is #1! Woo-hoo! I always knew it.
Where exactly is it I can go to talk to Joe Dimaggio?
Yep to the whole BMI thing, absolutely. It doesn’t take into account too many factors to be believable. And while I hadn’t heard the NBA stats, I had heard that Steeler Hines Ward has a BMI that shows he’s so obese, he’s in danger of dropping dead at any second. Yet, like Shaq, his body fat is in the low teens.
Hello? Problem here?
I like the idea of stress reduction being a billion-dollar industry, though. Maybe I ought to help and schedule a massage today!
Happy TT! Thanks for stopping over!
So does being fat help to cause more stress on your body? This was interesting. I was shocked by number 3.
Wow, that was really interesting. Nice TT list.
I would like to go on the record as being pro boobs and curves. There I said it. I feel better
Pussreboots – Shh… it’s fading….
Crazy working mom – She looks like a whale now – of course depending on what you read she maybe carrying an entire football team! But you are right. It’s like Shaq – I’d kill to be as “obese” as he is!
Julie – I’m so glad!
Greatfullivin’ – 20 pounds? Yes, the worry over that weight is worse for you than the weight itself!
Grace – I’m so happy he gets ramped up over you!
Damozel – I’m standing my ground – shall we stand together??
Candy Minx – Hurray for finding something that works for you and your body! That’s so very important!
Pamela Kramer – I thought everyone knew this stuff – you should thank Janet as she inspired…
Nicholas – Depending on where a doctor went to school, yes. There are programs (University of Arizona, etc.) where there is an emphasis on nutrition but your average doc may have had one class in nutrition and no classes in exercise. The press of post graduate education comes from the pharmaceutical companies. Thus an overwhelmed exhausted doctor becomes more like a drug pusher than an actual health CARE professional.
Jocelyn – I firmly believe in fitness not fatness. I have no doubt that you could kick my ass!
That Gal Herself – Good for you for trying. I think we give up (like the girl and McDonalds). My dad used to say that exercise and diet are about enjoying the days we have, not extending them. I think he was more right than he knew.
Nathalie – (blushing) Your favorite? Thanks.
Baba/Night Owl – Arg, insurance is a whole rant…. a dozen TT’s at least!
Rae – It’s funny because we know what a lot of people say is BS but when it comes to beauty, we bite – hook, line and sinker!
Darla – I could not agree more! Plus – muscular husband who loves your curves!?! Whoo Hoo! Who wants to be a size 2??
Fabbie – Text me and I’ll send you a number.
Susan Helene Gottfried – You’re right. We should make stress reduction a million dollar business…. where is that phone?
Christy – Worrying about fat causes fat to form on your body and #3 is true. Weird, but true.
HG – Interesting like hmmm or interesting like bad fish at your mil’s house?
FuriousBall – Good to know. Good to know.
hmmmm…a doctor once told me I had the best hips for child bearing. Guess that means I’m wicked smaht, too
Hey I love this post! I have heard of some of these things…..I’ve given up on worrying about my weight…If my clothes fit..then I’m set. I don’t weigh myself anymore.
Peace
Well now I feel stupid for working out;)
I love you, too! That the medical industry is our No. 1 killer somehow doesn’t surprise me. That the anti-fat gurus stand most to profit from our fear makes perfect sense in our profit-driven society.
My sister told me when I was a kid that I was fat; I believed it simply because she said it. I feel fat every time I eat a meal. It’s amazing what the power of suggestion does! So many experts seem to work so hard to keep us from enjoying life!
Thanks for a meaningful post!
Janet – Hey – your doctor inspired this list! See what getting piss off does!?
Odat – I bet not weighing yourself brings a lot of peace. I try to only weigh once a month. try….
Nap Warden – Fitness is important! Fatness is just not as important!
SandyCarlson – I’m sorry about your sister – how awful to have food be your enemy. I think that’s very sad.
Bigger the hips? The smarter the woman.
Then I must be a freakin’ genius by now! Hehehe. Great TT list!
GREAT list.
Speaking as one of the fat.
I don’t even think about it anymore. But this is a great post for debunking a lot of myths.
What a great list! One of my faves for this Thursday!
A very interesting list. Thanks for sharing all that info!
Wow, makes sense to me. Funny thing we are changing insurance at the first of the year and there were rumours spreading that we would have to pay more $30 per person who was obese….my whole family would count, and I am sorry my kids are not fat, they are human. Hubby and I are diabetic and struggle with health issues, we know we can lose weight. Thankfully the additional premium was just a rumour though.
What a great list.
Happy TT!
Nancy Bond – I’ve always thought that about you!
Journeywoman – Nice to know you are in MY club!
Ann Aguirre – Good for you for not stressing about it! That’s the hardest part!
Yen – A TT fav! Very cool!
Patti – Your welcome.
Penelope Ann – What a nightmare! I’m glad the rumor wasn’t true. Good luck with your challenges.
Jenn – Happy TT to you!
Wow, what really fascinating information. I have never been a dieter in any sense, and I don’t think skinny is sexy at all. But smarter with curves, that totally rocks!
Happy TT.
[...] Open Grove Claudia added an interesting post on Thursday Thirteen – Obesity..Here’s a small excerpt:Since we determine obesity statistics from BMI, you have to ask: ?Is the world really getting fatter?? 12. Too much information. Every day we hear another study about what ?works? for losing weight. A friend of mine told me this story. … [...]
Claudia, I know it’s important to have a little meat on ya when you go to the hospital… I’d be fine in the hospital for months, haha!
Thanks for visiting me and commenting for TT!
After many years of trying to maintain an ‘ideal’ weight, I finally have learned to love and dress myself at the weight I can maintain.
Thanks for visiting my TT.
I saw that study that “proves” that women with bigger hips are smarter, and I think it’s insanity. I’m just not buying that one.
We are certainly a nation obsessed with weight, and I agree that the gurus of weight loss are getting fatter wallets every day by instilling panic in the masses.
The only way to stay healthy is to educate ourselves as Claudia has done, and to understand that there is no “one size fits everyone” diet or cure for obesity.
All prescription drugs have side effects, and in many cases, weight gain is a common one. People need to take control of their own health instead of just turning their bodies over to the medical establishment blindly because most doctors are trying to touch base with as many patients as possible per hour and do not have the personal investment or the knowledge to deal with nutrition issues. Many doctors still SMOKE and are overweight. How can we assume they will care more about us than they do about themselves?
Our health is our own responsibility. Doctors can advise, but they are not the ultimate authority on our bodies. WE are.
[...] Independent news on natural health, nutrition and more wrote an interesting post today on Thursday Thirteen – Obesity.Here’s a quick excerptUnion of Earth and Water – Peter Paul … people who promote weight loss are … (From CDC fast facts, 2004 Data) … 12. Too much information. [...]
Vixen – My favorite quote from the study authors was that they thought women with curves had something on their minds other than what they eat. Damn right!
Mary T – Let’s hope you don’t have to use it!
Tommie – Good for you! I think that’s wonderful!
Heart in SF – You said it sister! We should joint blog! My doc threatened to send me to a cardiologist. I said, “have you seen what those guys look like?” (They are mostly skinny geeks.) He nodded and laughed.
I guess I’m brilliant then – I gots hips like J-Lo has ass! hehehe.
Great TT!
Thanks for cruising by my place. And thank you for this article. I’ve been telling my female friends this kind of stuff for years, but they are always on to the next fad.
I’m printing this out and giving it to them.
I absolutely loved your TT. Yes, I heard (#1) yesterday on the news, women with larger hips, smaller waist ratio are smarter; something to do with Omega 3. I agree with #8, most doctors don’t know much about vitamins and nutrition; try telling them you are taking a probiotic supplement.
What a fabulous post. I think people who are too skinny look haggard and old before their time. As a friend of mine said recently, “Skinny is BAD.” I love food.
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet
And honey is too!
And I know, because I got some in the mail today, and I can hardly wait to try it…! Yum. M?rci beaucoup.
You are right about the feeling of breasts and hips in bed. That’s crazy that the NBA is considered obese.
Bless your cotton sweet smelling socks for this. I now don’t hate myself as much for my second bowl of vanilla ice cream
Seriously though, I do know what you are saying. And I whole heartedly believe that stress kills people. It almost killed me. Make no mistake – I would rather be fat and jolly than fat, depressed and full of tension.
Great post. Love Betty
Jill – Of course you’re brilliant!
Travis – Oh happy dance! I get so tired of food as enemy!
Hope – A diet high in Omega 6 (grain fed beef, trans fat, etc.) + stress = belly fat. The lady in Reuben’s painting ate high Omega 3′s as it’s stored in her hips.
Josie – Oh I agree. I think that’s why there’s so much plastic surgery in Hollywood because people are too thin – too stretched.
Malcolm – I love you. Promise to tell every woman you know that fat feels better in bed??
Betty – Let’s find a way to make bucks on it and we’ll save the world!
So you’re telling me that I shouldn’t be offended when my two year old says to me, “Your tummy isn’t hard anymore, it’s starting to get squishy.”
He meant it as a compliment, like, “Hey mom, you’re more comfortable now.” I saw it as, “You’ve gained 10 pounds and look like a marshmallow!”
Great post, C!
[...] You can read the rest of this blog post by going to the original source, here [...]
Jack LaLanne says, ?if man made it don?t eat it.?
I love Jack LaLanne, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he outlived us all.
This is quite a hot topic and a GREAT post, Claudia! I’ve struggled with extra weight all my life, and I can say (from experience) that I’m healthiest when I stick to whole foods, get my rest, keep my emotions in check, and pray (I need to learn meditation). Of course, I’m not able to maintain this level of sanity EVERY day, but I do strive for it.
That’s a great TT! I’d still like to get rid of some fat though…
Thanks for visiting my black panther TT. I found my power animal in a guided inner journey. I do shamanic journeying too (the Michael Harner method).
Samantha_K – I think your two year old is saying that he loves you as you are – celebrating every stage as you celebrate with him! yea!
Bottle Blonde – You and me sister. I absolutely agree with your plan for sanity. I find that any stress in my life and my fat increases – stress can even be an increase in exercise. Damn Irish – I blame them!
Tink – I love Sandra Ingerman. So cool that you do shamanic journeying. I’d love to learn more.
i’m 30 and i just figured out in these past 2 weeks that if you eat food, you actually have energy. i’ve spent the majority of my life not eating, thus i have a slow metabolism, or no metabolism. for some reason, i’ve started eating 3 times a day these past 2 weeks, and i haven’t had to go home at lunch & take a nap like i have been. ugh. i hate food.
She – Wow! What a revelation. I’m so delighted you are working to create a healthier you!