This figure was published in a small report by the Baker Heart Institute. It is worth noting firstly that these results have never been published in a peer review journal. That small study was conducted using BMI measurements on a sample of adults who attending a stand at a suburban shopping center.

When examining the limitations of studies like these there are two critical factors to consider. 1) the outcome variable – in this case BMI, and 2) the sample recruited for the study – in this case, a small sample of adults who attended the stand at a shopping center on the day of the testing.

For the sake of brevity I will only briefly summarize these limitations. First, as you correctly state, using BMI to measure body comp has some serous flaws. A good exercise is to do a BMI analysis on and AFL list, most of them will be overweight. Better methods are available (such as DEXA, and hydrostatic weighing), but these are expensive.
Moreover, the sample they recruited for this study is not a random sample. therefore, one cannot reasonably conclude that such a figure is consistent with the whole population. Hence, this study never has been published.

Now, this brings into question, is obesity as bigger problem as the media (or Craig) hype it. In short, we (the royal we) don’t know for sure. There needs to be more research to conclude how big it is, and what are the causes. I personally believe the hype stems from the fact that being fat is is such a ‘sexy’ public media issue. Fat sells. You don’t see any reality TV on other chronic diseases such as shows on dementia or osteoporosis.

Now to ToniG: You missed the point. The aim of listing some of the proposed causal factors associated with obesity (such as,large portion sizes,ect) was not for you to debunk them one by one. Rather, this was an overview of the proposed factors that lead to weight gain. Not one of these factors are solely responsible. In fact, these highlight that there are a number of factors that lead excessive energy consumption and reduced activity, that are entrenched in our environments. These make a lot more sense than your – personal choice hypothesis.

I suggest you cease forming your opinions from Junk current affairs shows (ACA, Today To Fright) and reality TV (Biggest loser). Do some reading sister, the texts cited should provide you with a more balance view. Also, see the reference below.

Vin: your right!, I have overcomplicated wight gain, for extract that reason. It is complicated.

PS. Craig has gone quite, whats up with that ?????

Epstein D, Jimenez Rubio D, Smith PC, Suhrcke M. Social determinants of health: an economic perspective. Health Economics 2009;18:495-502.

I have to admit I laughed when you mentioned about accidentally eating anything…:-)

It does have me wondering that we have all this information, why is it not working?

We spend a lot of time in society focusing on getting people to loose weight and then we celebrate the fact these people have lost weight, well done to you, congratulations etc etc…Now i do agree it is great that people loose weight but I wonder some times if that also part of the problem? People like to know they have achieved something and getting fatter means if I loose the weight then people will notice and I will notice I have achieved something (Maybe unconsciously). (I’ve been here not to do with weight though)

We don’t celebrate as openly those people who never put the weight on in the first place. So I wonder whether society could change it’s focus from weight loss to NON weight gain would that help???(Preventative rather than reactive?)

I also believe that a lot of weight issues stem from emotional issues and if more people got help with emotional issues then possibly we would have less weight problems?

I understand the points that you make. And everything is always a matter of an individuals perceptions based on their own life experiences.

However, I take exception to the comments made by Michael about the superiority of thin people commenting. I commented above and, yes I could be considered thin. However my ‘thinness’ only came about after 12 months of pulling my finger out and taking responsibility for my life and shedding 30kgs. I did it with many tears, and a lot of bloody hard work.

So having been someone who had the complex issues of obesity (and I had many issues, just ask my therapist) to someone who has had an internal shift and realised that I am the only person resonsbile for the outcome of my life, I feel absolutely qualified to make comment on my perception of weight loss/gain.

There are a lot of self worth issues surrounding obesity and I agree that being told to suck it up sometimes can be confronting. But sometimes its the hard love approach that gets results. Its what worked for me.

Cheers
Nicole