"The data, which was published in JAMA, also underlines why it’s problematic to base weight status and health on...
"The data, which was published in JAMA, also underlines why it’s problematic to base weight status and health on body mass index (BMI)."
https://time.com/3386735/americans-are-getting-larger/
Thank you. Also, has anybody yet done a study of people ages 65 to 85, say, and determined what is 'normal' for them? Because I'm pretty sure we are still basing everything on what was normal decades ago for people 45 and under. Which is not rational.
Personally, if we're going to treat this as a disease, I think we should develop true metabolic testing, a la what competitive athletes do, and try to get some real longitudinal information about the body's function, not just use the latest version of our ancient height and weight charts. And it would probably have to be done in our teens, then once a decade. Unless something indicated there might have been a medically or functionally important change that suggested more frequent evaluation was needed.
However, this presupposes some validated, rational, effective methodology for actively changing what you've found if there's a 'problem'. And no, that does not mean just telling people what an awful human being they are and marginalizing them, even in the health care system, because they didn't 'choose' to change. Not that we really know what to specifically do to help each individual.
Besides, if it's a public health problem, why are there still candy machines in hospitals? Why are there fast food places on university campuses? Why don't we have laws about how large servings can be? It's not that I think nannying is the best way to go, but when polio was a public health problem, they closed public places - theaters, pools, beaches, whatever. Quite honestly, keeping people fat is large part of the economy, directly and indirectly.
Further, why do we have to argue about paying for athletic programs both in and out of school for kids? And I don't mean a gym class where you just keep them busy. I mean a program that actively teaches them how to be active in a way that helps their bodies and lifestyles throughout their lives, and gives them enough choices of activities that they can find one they really like so they will keep doing it.
P.S. There is scientific information that visceral fat likely functions biochemically differently than other fat, but it's also probably one of the least understood things about us. That is, why fat suddenly decides that's where it wants to hang out, which seems to occur more commonly with age.
https://time.com/3386735/americans-are-getting-larger
https://time.com/3386735/americans-are-getting-larger/
Thank you. Also, has anybody yet done a study of people ages 65 to 85, say, and determined what is 'normal' for them? Because I'm pretty sure we are still basing everything on what was normal decades ago for people 45 and under. Which is not rational.
Personally, if we're going to treat this as a disease, I think we should develop true metabolic testing, a la what competitive athletes do, and try to get some real longitudinal information about the body's function, not just use the latest version of our ancient height and weight charts. And it would probably have to be done in our teens, then once a decade. Unless something indicated there might have been a medically or functionally important change that suggested more frequent evaluation was needed.
However, this presupposes some validated, rational, effective methodology for actively changing what you've found if there's a 'problem'. And no, that does not mean just telling people what an awful human being they are and marginalizing them, even in the health care system, because they didn't 'choose' to change. Not that we really know what to specifically do to help each individual.
Besides, if it's a public health problem, why are there still candy machines in hospitals? Why are there fast food places on university campuses? Why don't we have laws about how large servings can be? It's not that I think nannying is the best way to go, but when polio was a public health problem, they closed public places - theaters, pools, beaches, whatever. Quite honestly, keeping people fat is large part of the economy, directly and indirectly.
Further, why do we have to argue about paying for athletic programs both in and out of school for kids? And I don't mean a gym class where you just keep them busy. I mean a program that actively teaches them how to be active in a way that helps their bodies and lifestyles throughout their lives, and gives them enough choices of activities that they can find one they really like so they will keep doing it.
P.S. There is scientific information that visceral fat likely functions biochemically differently than other fat, but it's also probably one of the least understood things about us. That is, why fat suddenly decides that's where it wants to hang out, which seems to occur more commonly with age.
https://time.com/3386735/americans-are-getting-larger
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