Obesity

  The New York Times of November 27, 2022 had an article titled "Scientists   at Least Know What Doesn't Cause Obesity." Approximately 40% of US adults are obese with a costs of about 172 billion a year and nearly half of 133 million adults are diagnosed with at least one long-term health condition like asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  The following is my input on this article.  

The CDC's definition of obesity "an adult who has a body mass index or BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.”  Among children of the same age and sex, overweight is defined on CDC growth charts as a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile.  Obesity is defined as having a BMI at or above the 95th percentile.  Further , overweight is a BMI of 25.00- 29.9; low risk obesity is a BMI of 30.0- 34.9; moderate risk, obesity is a BMI of 35.0- 39.9 and high-risk obesity is a BMI equal to or greater than 40.0.  BMI is calculated with a  formula based on weight and height . Furthermore, a BMI rating of 18.5 – 24.9 is considered normal; and less than 18.5 underweight. In other words, BMI measures excess weight but not excess fat.

The following  points were made in this article: 1.  Obesity is not a personal failing , so don't blame them entirely for having full control over their size  2.  The obesity rates accelerated from the 1980s in high income countries and then to much of the rest of the world 3.  Obesity is a complex chronic condition.  4.  Nutritional biologists presented the idea that all the carbohydrates and fats in our food today dilutes the protein in our bodies, driving us to consume  more calories to make up for the discrepancy 5.  An endocrinologist spoke of the low-carb diet, suggesting that eating patterns heavy in carbohydrates are uniquely fat producing 6. Evolutionary anthropologists argued that many lean hunter gatherer societies ate a lot of carbohydrates with a special affinity for honey.  7.  Processed foods make up more than half of the calories that  Americans consume 7.  A Nutritional physiologist stated  people  eat more calories and gain more weight  on an ultra processed diet compared to whole food diets of the same nutrient composition 7.  Endocrinologists stated that when food becomes scarce, animals eat fewer calories but gain more weight. Studies in humans have also found a robust association between food insecurity and obesity or the hunger obesity paradox 9.  Body fat is much more than the storage depot for energy and  not everyone with obesity  develops  complications which include cancer, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, and premature death 10.More specifics on calories, carbohydrates, nutrition, fat,etc. was presented.

From a centenarian's point of view, are the following: characteristics based on Michael Howard's research in "16 Lifestyle Characteristics of the Oldest and Healthiest People in the World.  1.  Had less than 100 mg/DL fasting of blood sugar.  2.  Had low blood pressure.  3.  Had low blood total cholesterol 4.  Kept weight low and steady.  5. Consumed fewer calories.  6. Stayed busy after retirement.  9.  Didn’t smoke and/or  stopped smoking.  10.  Drank less alcohol.  11. Got regular restful sleep.  12.  Had healthy gums 13.  Challenged their minds.  14.  Stayed positive in attitude and avoided anxiety and depression.  15.  Shed  stressors , had daily structure and were resilient?  16.  Stayed socially connected with serenity and had a life purpose .  It was clear from Howard's research that these 16 factors are highly related to lifestyle choices. 

A few  points regarding DNA.  My father had juvenile diabetes and became obese while my mother was not.   I am the oldest sibling with a younger brother and younger sister.  One of my siblings is severely overweight. I have two children, a daughter and a son.  One is severely overweight . Neither Linda nor her two sisters are severely overweight. However, my wife has three children and two are severely overweight  as are their two children . With  one of my cousins, one of three siblings is severely overweight but their child. Their parents were not severely overweight.  Three other families of cousins, aunts and uncles  and their  children have no issues with being overweight.  This limited sample does not suggest that DNA or genetics is a main cause of being severely overweight.

Take NFL lineman for example.  Their  BMI’s would place them as  obese.  Yet, their muscle mass and athletic ability is not the same as a random group of obese men in the 20 to 30 year old age group.  Yes, there is a difference as to BMI makeup.  A long-term study  following NFL obese lineman into their later years, working out,nutrition , eating and habits along with exercise would likely provide useful information regarding obesity ,illness and disease .

The article suggested that positive actions would regulate outlawing junk food marketing to kids, banning vending machines in schools and making neighborhoods more walkable might be some actions taken by the government.  However, it is clear that our government's priority is not addressing the health in this country, especially obesity.

Research from the Framingham Heart Study showed that a 30-year-old female had a 74% chance and the male had a 92% chance of becoming overweight at some point in life.  Further, the risk of becoming obese, if you are a 30-year-old today, is 39% for women and 48% for men.  The study included 4,117 white men and women between 1971 and 2001.  Also, the lifetime risk for overweight approaches that for high blood pressure and exceeds that described for most other chronic diseases.

Few other facts: 1.  Obesity related illnesses have been responsible for a tenfold increase in private health insurance spending since 1987 2.  It is predicted that as the obesity epidemic continues, skyrocketing costs will soar even higher. 

 At Duke University's  Obesity and Eating Disorders Clinic  , their professional staff advised their patients to employ a simple strategy known as Halt to help against emotional overeating.  They suggested  before eating, ask yourself if you're feeling any of the following: H or hungry,  A or angry,  L or lonely, T or tired.  Only eat when you're actually hungry, but not when you're feeling angry, lonely or tired.

Each morning I make a smoothie that consists of oatmeal, MCT Oil ,whey protein. banana, orange , apple, beets , yogurt, carrots, ginger, broccoli, blueberries and peppers. For lunch,  sardines, or tuna with rye bread and peanut butter are examples.  Dinner varies from beef or pork  ribs, pizza, vegan spaghetti or non vegan spaghetti , chicken , pickles, sauerkraut, green tea, coffee and vegan  or non vegan stew . Dessert can be ice cream or sherbet or Linda made cookies with reduced sugar.  Supplements include vitamin B 6 and 12 , fish oil, Co Q 10, D3 and zinc.  I also run about 40 miles or so per week. My weight is roughly 165 pounds . All my blood work is within  normal range and I am  not in pre-diabetes, or diabetes danger.  I have a BMI less than 25.0.  Neither  brother nor  sister follow my  obsessive routine.  Howard's 16 points for centenarians seem  reasonable .  Will I become a centenarian?  I'll tell you in 17 years. George Harrison once said "if you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there." Obesity is a complex and difficult problem.  However, personal choices play a significant part in this epidemic.  People are clearly responsible for what they put in their mouth .

PS

I attended Russ Kiernan's service last Saturday.  I enjoyed hearing more about Russ from a  grade school friend, a running friend and from his daughter.  Sorry to see you pass Russ.  I have fond memories of you and thank you for introducing me to Ride and Tie.

Reference

Obesity: A Scientific Update.  Institute for Natural Resources.