1. “We expect that obesity will be responsible for an increasing share of deaths in the United States,” said Ryan Masters, the lead study author and researcher with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
2. “Obesity and extreme obesity can reduce life expectancy by up to eight years and deprive people of as many as 19 years of healthy living,” the study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology concludes.
3. “The average American could see his life expectancy reduced by five years due to obesity. Individuals who are obese have a 50 to 100-percent higher risk of premature death from all causes. This is due to the fact that excess body weight increases your risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and even some types of cancer” according to National Institute on Aging and scientists from the International Longevity Center
The above references are only three examples of hundreds of studies I’ve found and read on the dangers of Obesity. I wasn’t able to find:
1 STUDY
discussing the EMOTIONAL and PHYSICAL BENEFITS of obesity or the the studies discussing the LIFE ENHANCING BENEFITS achieved by living a lifestyle that causes obesity. So many obese people claim to be happy and simply want the rest of society to be less discriminating. Although I believe anyone can experience happiness, I have been unable to find:
1 STUDY
showing people chose to go back to a lifestyle promoting obesity because the healthier option providing greater opportunities to do more in life was less fulfilling.
Society does need to be less judgemental and more supportive. People are more responsive to healthy changes when they are shown decency, courtesy and respect; when an ear is offered to listen rather than a mouth offering ridicule.
Obesity LIKE ALL DISEASES, is not caused by one thing! This means the answer cannot be found in one solution.
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The answer starts with HONESTY TO ONESELF and a willingness to accept help from qualified people and organizations capable of guiding those needing assistance.
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The answer starts with creating better environments for our CHILDREN to LEARN, PRACTICE and SHARE healthy lifestyle choices.
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The answer starts with our educational system accepting greater responsibility by incorporating healthy lifestyle practices into their core curriculum and reinforcing these patterns of living EVERY DAY.
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The answer starts with doctors accepting greater responsibility in identifying high risk children and directing these families to outreach programs to help them PREVENT obesity in the first place.
There is no one answer. The four choices above provide starting points. Ignoring this epidemic will only increase the pain and emotional suffering as well as devastate our health care system financially.
We have to stop looking around expecting someone else to START THE PROCESS.
In the comment area, please place an idea YOU ARE WILLING TO BRING TO THE TABLE AND DO YOURSELF. It could be as simple as a change in personal behavior or a change in behavior involving your children. It can be as complex as starting a community center for social and recreational development. The more participation and sharing of REAL IDEAS, the faster we grow solutions to this problem. Please participate if you care and share this message with as many people as possible to help get them involved as well.
THE START of change must begin somewhere!
Why not right here!
All About Healthy Choices 
I’ve never known anyone who truly believed they were happy with obesity, very different from those trying to lose those last 10 pounds, or get into that summer swimsuit. It’s a defense mechanism, maybe even a survival mechanism. I get it. But I always want to know how they started on that path. There’s usually a reason, and it’s often painful. 💔
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I want to start by making certain it is clear that losing weight (whether 10 pounds or 100 pounds) in and of itself does NOT create or guarantee happiness. I agree with your assessment that the response by those with weight problems is often defensive and the image projected one of annoyance that society can’t except them for who they are. Although I believe society does place a judgemental stigma on these people, this becomes an excuse and is used as a scapegoat to explain their unhappiness. This is a survival mechanism as you mention. This is why I listed HONESTY TO ONESELF as an essential starting point to overcome this health epidemic.
There are many factors that lead down this path. Regardless, most if not all seem to create an emotional insecurity that ultimately feeds an addictive behavior spiraling out of control toward self destruction.
We are still so blind to this as we provide ongoing FAILING SOLUTIONS including dieting and exercise recommendations, surgery, hypnotherapy, meditation, etc… all of which are useless UNTIL we address the ROOT CAUSES that created this destructive pattern. If the MIND is not ready to accept a better path, the behavior will regress to lifestyle patterns that harm oneself satisfying that elusive emotional need at the expense of one’s life.
We must reach out and provide new approaches. It is our moral responsibility to use our talents to help those in need. If doing the “right thing” isn’t enough motivation, maybe recognizing these damaging behaviors wind up affecting ALL OUR LIVES emotionally and financially will change our thinking and ACTIONS.
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One thing I have done for my family is concentrate on making sure that at each meal served at home we have an abundance of fresh, raw vegetables and fruit to choose from, and when the wee ones come, we load them up with raw and fresh foods. Still, I could do better. I need to do another sweep of the sugars in my home. There is one place where we could definitely do better!
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Adding quality nutrition to each meal is a meaningful step to achieving a healthier life. Congratulations on winning over the “little ones” on eating fruits and vegetables. So many parents do not believe this is a battle worth fighting. I am usually not judgemental, but in this case, I wholeheartedly, disagree with them. These aren’t optional foods in life. These are foods truly essential and needed on a cellular level.
As far as sugary foods are concerned, often our motivation to remove these foods wane in most households. We feel more secure knowing that “sweet delectable food substances” are there when needed. But needed for what? Does it make sense to turn to something that only causes harm to oneself in a time of need? If we are going to regret the act afterward, why provide the temptation by making it available? If you think about it, this is nothing more than an ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP! These products live with you day and night and tempt you every time you pass by them. They’re patient because they know it’s just a matter of time before you turn to them. And when you do, they get to have the last laugh as they slowly destroy the health of the individual consuming them. This perspective makes it easier to remove them from the house. Replacing them with healthy alternatives will more effectively satisfy the emotional support they bring while providing a POSITIVE healthy solution for your body.
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A fun note: We had been in the habit of giving our dog a Nu***dent treat before leaving for work in the morning. Little by little it became harder and harder to find these. Someone is squeezing them out of the market place. And then, when we did find them, the dog no longer enjoyed them. They were harder, less pliable, and less aromatic. Something had changed, so we changed up our routine and started giving pupper pieces of raw carrot in the morning as we head out the door. You should see him now. Full of vim and vigor when we leave in the morning. So. Much. Energy. and a whole heck of a lot cheaper! 😉
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I love it. I feed Tucker some of my organic apples daily. His food comes from Canada from farms that raise their own animals. I also give him raw foods to balance out all the nutrients he needs. I spend a lot of time taking care of him to maximize his health. How does he respond? In search of other dog’s poop! It seems our addictive attachment to sugar is his addictive attachment to poop. Believe it or not, the sugar addiction with people is actually worse. How ironic is that? 🙂
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I totally get it. Ours does the same, and yes, his desire is strong in this way. Wish sugar tasted like rabbit droppings. I’m sure that would help with my cravings! LOL
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We have reduced the amount of “junk” food in our house over the past 5 years. I intend to do better and make sure there is very little in the way of sugary snacks. We used to have pop, candy and chips and now that is a rare thing. But I want to go even further and get rid of any other unhealthy choices!
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I think that’s terrific. Realizing the need to remove “junk” food from the house is a great place to start. People eat out of boredom so often. If it isn’t there, it can’t be eaten. My next challenge for you is answering “why” you haven’t removed it all IF you really want to? Often, the answer is found in recognizing the emotional support we “believe” the junk food offers. If we think about it, how supportive is anything that produces more harm than good? I am NOT telling you what to do; I am simply trying to get you to consider why the “junk” is there if you really don’t want it to be.
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Yes you are so right! I think it does offer that old crutch for me! In Saudi I started packing special treats to make the day better for the kids! I felt that would help in that harsh school environment!! So a crutch for sure!
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I’ll start asking friends and family to come on walks with Choppy and me when we take walks at their homes. I do it sometimes now, but I can make an effort to do it every time I walk her. Who doesn’t like a good walk?
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I think that’s terrific. It increases social interaction while strengthening cardiac function and lymphatic flow flushing pathogens and toxicities out of our bodies. These small acts truly add up. Thank you for your suggestion. I’m certain others will do the same with their friends.
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Increased consumption of water was one thing that I started at home. Daily exercise too. Wife and I do weekly weigh-ins. Charting what we will eat for the week on Sunday night, in hopes of having healthier meals. Right, now my wife and I are making a concious effort to cut down on carbs and sugars.
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My hat is off to the two of you. The changes you implemented are realistic and can be maintained throughout life. This is such an important aspect. It is based on an approach rather than a “diet” you must try to conform to. These are the beginning steps needed to transforming unhealthy lives into healthy ones. Keep up the good work and share these ideas with your friends and associates. Helping other people achieve the same benefits will leave you feeling pretty good. A real win-win scenario.
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You know what made it easier to make these changes? Your 80/20 or 90/10 rule. We are never completely denying ourselves. That is where many people go wrong with diets. Thank you for all your advice.
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I am so glad this made an impact on you. Sometimes people are so angry that their “freedom to choose” is taken away, it becomes difficult to get them to LISTEN. In reality (as you see) freedom to choose is NOT taken away. It is compromised by accepting a reduction in frequency and quantity. If these decadent (less than nutritious) items are consumed AFTER a COMPLETE HEALTHY MEAL, the quantity no longer becomes a problem. Smaller portions provide the satisfaction people are looking for as well as satisfying the need for satiety.
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Exactly. The smaller portions of a birthday cake or other dessert means I do not have to deny myself. Thank you.
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When my babies were learning to eat, I introduced vegetables before fruit. They all eat vegetables willingly now.
We are also working on reducing the refined sugar in their diets. Personally, I don’t eat sugar at all. When my children do eat it, it is usually something homemade with the best ingredients possible.
Excellent post and excellent discussion!
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You are so far ahead of the learning curve. Children will eat vegetables if they are given them (as they develop) before they develop taste for sweeter food choices. This will greatly benefit them as they age.
It is so nice to see another parent taking such responsibility in this area of their children’s lives. It is so unfortunate that so many children will grow up addicted to processed foods and develop all types of health complications as a result of parental absence of involvement. Children are entitled to better protection and guidance. It’s a shame that it is “politically incorrect” to identify this problem and guide parents into seeking solutions. Often their defensive responses and inaction result in detriment to the child. When will we realize that children’s physical, mental and emotional needs should come before parents egos and their insistence that “no one is going to tell them how to raise their child!?”
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While I don’t think people “deserve” to be ridiculed or treated poorly because of their weight, it’s hard to overlook the fact that there is no disease that causes one to sit on their rear end all day and involuntarily stuff their face with Doritos and Pizza Hut.
At some point they have to accept personal responsibility for the condition they are in and take action. With very few exceptions, there are no innocent victims.
From the little bit I do know about obesity, it seems many of the causes are mental/emotional in nature. I think a lot of obese people would be better off seeing a psychologist than an athletic trainer. For many (not all), fix the mental health issues and the weight will take care of itself.
Thanks for the honest, insightful post.
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Although I understand your feelings regarding this subject, I can assure you (after treating patients with these conditions for over 20 years) the complexities involved in developing and maintaining an obese lifestyle make this condition very difficult to overcome as an adult. When we look at a heroine addict, the same argument can be made. “They can choose to put the needle down.” Addiction takes rational thinking and distorts it to such a degree, the individual’s life becomes centered on satisfying the addiction. The ability to see the harm and eventual outcome doesn’t even enter the picture. Then there is the component of social interaction (or lack there of)with other people and its damaging affects on self esteem and self worth.
In my opinion, to address this problem in a meaningful way, it must be addressed early in life BEFORE it manifests. We must teach children to live healthier lifestyles and reinforce this through schools, religious institutions and social/recreational facilities.
The problem is not as simple as calorie in and calorie expended. It is not as simple as treating depression. Yes, people need to take responsibility for their health, but they also need the tools and support not currently available in the quantities needed to deal with ALL THE COMPONENTS that lead to the manifestation of this condition.
I appreciate your comment because it is important for all of us to discuss our feelings as well as our solutions to this problem. A willingness to open our minds to new thinking helps us attain different perspectives with better answers for the future.
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Great blog Doc! “Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, and those that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21…Lets Encourage for a more healthy lifestyle!
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Let’s redirect thinking so people can visualize a world of joy and happiness without needing food to reside centrally in this world. Today, food sits at the top of the hierarchy, of essentials for enjoyment. For the average person, remove eating from a social life, and the quality suffers. This is a huge mistake. Food should simply be an enhancing experience AT BEST. More realistically, it should be viewed as an essential need for nutrients and information to help the body maintain itself. We place a distorted amount of joy and satisfaction on food to “make us feel good.” Until we are ready to be honest with ourselves the problem will continue to promulgate itself.
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Reblogged this on Time No Matter and commented:
Happy Sunday everyone….life’s good…..great post Jonathan….
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Pretty sure your a guru of health…great post…really hit home in many ways…I reblogged…..thanks for always giving us the best information possible…..kat
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Much more human than guru. Buttered popcorn, raisinettes and diet soda at a movie last night. I live what I recommend. About 10% of my meal planning includes junk or comfort food. The key is gaining CONTROL over one’s body to determine WHEN these foods will be eaten. When people look at me and what I eat, they think I ONLY eat healthy. It is so important for people to understand that this in NOT TRUE. This would NOT be realistic for the average person. If people begin to see they can and SHOULD include the foods they like in a manner that allows the body to maintain good health, they would not view eating healthier as a punishment. It is tough to get people to believe this. This is why I make confessions all the time. I do NOT want to be viewed differently; I want my lifestyle viewed as reasonable and achievable for those wishing to enjoy good health.
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Strategies to combat physical and/or mental challenges (diseases) is similar to fighting a war. It doesn’t make sense to start without knowing what the “exit strategy” is. In health the exit strategy includes outlining the role the patient plays in maintaining an improved health status. This may or may not include nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, homeopathy, ayurvedic medicine, eastern medicine, etc…
Your knowledge and experience with pharmaceuticals offers great value. It is easy for me to discuss these therapies from an academic point; it is so much more valuable to have a person with experience AND clear knowledge sharing this information. Thank you for adding so much value.
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Excellent post Doc.
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Thank you Cameron.
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Great post! 😇 Happy to connect 💕 Do check out my writings too, will appreciate your views 😄
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I look forward to.
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Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
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Thank you so much. I appreciate all your support.
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