Obesity as a disease? Really?

Overheal

Im watching CNN and im after hearing this woman talk about obesity, and she seems to claim its a disease, and there is nothing you can do about it.

I'm sorry, what?

I guess they didnt notice the sharp increase in obesity when the internet, television and just about every other excuse not to get off your ass came into being. Suddenly its a disease.

Lobster

Overheal wrote: »

Im watching CNN and im after hearing this woman talk about obesity, and she seems to claim its a disease, and there is nothing you can do about it.

I'm sorry, what?

I guess they didnt notice the sharp increase in obesity when the internet, television and just about every other excuse not to get off your ass came into being. Suddenly its a disease.

My thoughts exactly a few weeks ago when someone mentioned that on a program on about the worlds heaviest woman.

CNN aren't they the channel that had crayon based evidence of WOMD.

antodeco

I blame global warming.

trout

I ate all the pies

Galvasean

Overheal wrote: »

Im watching CNN and im after hearing this woman talk about obesity, and she seems to claim its a disease, and there is nothing you can do about it.

Let me guess, she was as big as a blimp right?

biko

It's always somebodys else's fault...

trout

trout wrote: »

I ate all the pies

Not when I'm around you won't.

connundrum

Disease doesn't seem like the right word at all.

Illness might be a better way describe the inability to stop eating.. oh noes wait. There is a word for that already - greed.

Overheal

biko wrote: »

It's always somebodys else's fault...

thats really the heart of the issue methinks.

So what if I have a belly and man bewbs (albeit baby ones) - Its not as if that plate of chicken launched off of the side portion of rice and crawled down my mouth.

ChewChew

There's too many factors that contribute to obesity that I suppose there has to be an overall term given to it. I dont agree the term 'disease' is the right one. maybe 'condition' is better. cancer, mrsa and tb (amongst millions more) are diseases. obesity. nope.

antodeco

Overheal wrote: »

thats really the heart of the issue methinks.

So what if I have a belly and man bewbs (albeit baby ones) - Its not as if that plate of chicken launched off of the side portion of rice and crawled down my mouth.

For this, you can blame osmosis!

ChewChew

biko wrote: »

It's always somebodys else's fault...

That's not particularly true. obesity is not 100% down to people overeating.

Dudess

I agree it's nearly always due to consuming excess calories, but people should bear in mind there are a lot of psychological factors at play when it comes to why people eat so much. It's not always as simple as pure greed - food can be as much of an emotional crutch as any drug.

Overheal wrote: »

Its not as if that plate of chicken launched off of the side portion of rice and crawled down my mouth.

That's pretty healthy food - especially if the chicken is skinless and grilled, and the rice is wholegrain.

Ross_Mahon

Genetic, medical, or psychiatric illness are the only excuses, Other than that...its will power.

R0ot

Its not a disease, fatties always cling to that as a last line of defense, trying hitting the gym more and maybe dropping the fork. :pac:

jesus_thats_gre

It's not a disease but there is defo more to it than greed.

This was on the BBC website recently:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7525347.stm

Children carrying the first gene that has been clearly linked to obesity find it harder than others to tell when they are full, London-based researchers say.

They studied over 3,000 children to see whether the FTO gene impacts on the ability to burn calories or appetite.

The researchers found those with copies of the gene's risky variant were less likely to have their appetite "switched off" when they should be full.

The study is published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

FTO is the first common gene to be linked to obesity in Caucasian populations.

Previous studies have shown that adults with two copies of the higher risk version of the gene are on average 3kg (6lb 10oz) heavier, and those with a single copy are on average 1.5kg heavier, than those without the gene. We are looking at a thousand-piece jigsaw and we have shown how the first two pieces fit together

The researchers, from University College London and the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, set out to learn more about the way the gene works.

They tested whether children aged eight to 11 carrying the higher risk gene variation had an altered appetite through height, weight and waist circumference measurements, and a questionnaire which asked parents about their child's eating habits.

They found that children with the higher risk version of the gene tended to overeat and to struggle to recognise when they were full.

The effect of the gene on appetite was the same regardless of age, sex, socio-economic background and body mass index.

Prof Jane Wardle explains the research into FTO and obesity
Lead researcher Professor Jane Wardle said: "It is not simply the case that people who carry the risky variant of this gene automatically become overweight, but they are more susceptible to overeating.

"This makes them significantly more vulnerable to the modern environment which confronts all of us with large portion sizes and limitless opportunities to eat."

However, Professor Wardle said the effect of the gene in isolation was relatively small.

She said it was likely that many genes contributed to obesity and appetite, each making a small contribution, but together creating a substantial effect.

Dr David Haslam, clinical director of the National Obesity Forum, said the research was "very interesting".

However, he said: "We are looking at a thousand-piece jigsaw and we have shown how the first two pieces fit together.

"It is a step in the right direction, but what we don't want to say is 'we have got the gene for obesity, therefore we can cure it' - that is not going to happen for many years to come."

Overheal

Dudess wrote: »

That's pretty healthy food - especially if the chicken is skinless and grilled, and the rice is wholegrain.

Ma'am, I don't think you're at all familiar with The South :pac:

Dudess

Fried chicken and stodgy rice? Massive portions? That'd do it...

There is a new study linking mens cheating hearts to a rogue gene.

Kintarō Hattori

We're all DOOOMED...... oh noes....

We seem to have completely lost the ability to accept responsibility for our actions these days.

LightningBolt

ChewChew wrote: »

That's not particularly true. obesity is not 100% down to people overeating.

I'd imagine it's about 90% though.

Bros123

I can't believe no ones posted this yet!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlbtDcXDDNk



CLASSIC!!:pac:

Overheal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlbtDcXDDNk

/Thread

amacachi

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

It's not a disease but there is defo more to it than greed.

This was on the BBC website recently:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7525347.stm

ZOMFG! 3kg heavier! That explains why I'm 126kg instead of 123kg, I knew it wasn't my fault!

hussey

sounds like fat americans blaming anyone else for their problems.

Rhinocharge

Whether it is obesity, single mums, gambling, alcoholism, drug abuse, racism or emotional state there always seems to be a group at the receiving end.

Is it their fault, possibly. Are children obese because of the child or the parent? Before you judge, live their life style for 24 hrs.

Disease or not whom knows?

Each person has an infliction, you can see the obese person because it shows, but the person sitting beside you on the bus may be a psychotic manic.

Me, I'm both. Call me fat, I'll slit your throat, BBQ your carcass & eat the evidence. You've been warned!!

Call Me Jimmy

Show me one fat person that can't be 'cured' by eating healthily and doing a bit of exercise... it's something that's 100% within their control. Even the people with "glandular problems" don't have the excuse to be as fat as many people are.

mikemac

Well they call alcoholism a disease but nobody is forcing an alcoholic to drink constantly.

Why give disease status to alcoholism and not obesity?

Overheal

i dont give disease status to computer game addiction either - that doesnt mean some extremist whackjobs with degrees dont.

KnifeWRENCH

B-b-b-but it is a disease because Wikipedia says so! And Wikipedia's NEVER wrong:

Obesity is a disease in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be negatively affected.

Anyway, while laziness and terrible diet are obviously the main causes, I don't think it's fair to say that people are responsible 100% of the time. There are some rare genetic causes. And then there are binge-eating disorders.

indough

it all started when that french bint said "let them eat cake"

Overheal

they make obesity sound unpreventable though; and inheritable: they even pegged down a Fat Gene ffs. I'm sorry but Obesity only becomes a disease when you've gathered up the fat from your ignorant and gluttonous choice in lifestyle. and even then its as reversible a condition as long hair (plus some clogged arteries you dumb fatass*)

*to nobody in particular. in stereo, where available.

Rhinocharge

Overheal wrote: »

I'm sorry

& so you should be!!

Overheal

Rhinocharge wrote: »

Overheal wrote: »

I'm sorry

& so you should be!!

Yeah but

Rhinocharge wrote:

Sometimes you cannot escape the fury of BBQ you can only defend/fight against it. I for 1 will eat the evidence. You've been warned!!

For my own beliefs, Just curious what will you do, when the BBQ is wiped out bar the few emotional stragglers, & the obese are rolling forever forward.

See what ive done here, is taken what you've said entirely out of context as well: except that when I do it, its funny.

Rhinocharge

Overheal wrote: »

Yeah but



See what ive done here, is taken what you've said entirely out of context as well: except that when I do it, its funny.

It must be true, you say it so!!

Ponster

micmclo wrote: »

Well they call alcoholism a disease but nobody is forcing an alcoholic to drink constantly.

Why give disease status to alcoholism and not obesity?

It took alcoholism about 150 years to be finally recognized as a disease and even then only by the medical community, being still rejected by citizens who believed it to be a weakness. Obesity has a way to go yet

For those who are interested there is a very good article here :

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/4650.php

Proponents argue that new scientific understanding has clearly established that obesity is a discrete medical condition that independently affects health. Officially classifying obesity as a disease would have a profound impact by helping to destigmatize the condition, much as the classification of alcoholism as a disease made it easier for many alcoholics to get treatment, experts say.

But equally important, the move would immediately remove key economic and regulatory hurdles to prevention and treatment, they say.

Opponents contend that obesity is more akin to high cholesterol or cigarette smoking - a risk factor that predisposes someone to illness but is not an ailment in itself, such as lung cancer or heart disease.

Labeling it a bona fide disease would divert scarce resources, distract public health efforts from the most effective countermeasures and unnecessarily medicalize the condition, they say.

Wagon

Overheal wrote: »

Im watching CNN

That was your first mistake.

thelordofcheese

square_igloo wrote: »

B-b-b-but it is a disease because Wikipedia says so! And Wikipedia's NEVER wrong:

Wikipedia is the online version of "A man down the pub told me", anyone who cites it should be shot.


Anyway, time for Dr phil to solve this one

ChewChew

Overheal wrote: »

they make obesity sound unpreventable though; and inheritable: they even pegged down a Fat Gene ffs. I'm sorry but Obesity only becomes a disease when you've gathered up the fat from your ignorant and gluttonous choice in lifestyle. and even then its as reversible a condition as long hair (plus some clogged arteries you dumb fatass*)

I dont know whats more stomach turning. The fact that you wrote this or that you believe it.

SheroN

Reminds me of that episode of south park where they're talking about alcoholism being an illness. "IT"S NOT AN ILLNESS, JUST STOP DRINKING"

Honey-ec

"It's glandular"... right up there with "We can just lie here..."

anti-venom

Honey-ec wrote: »

"It's glandular"... right up there with "We can just lie here..."

I like it! A friend of mine who was chronically obese has, in the last two years, lost six stones. He was always making excuses for himself too. He had himself convinced that his weight problem was due to all sorts of causes like glandular, genetic and mild depression etc. It never seemed to occur to him that beating a path to the chipper twice or three times a day was a major contributory factor :rolleyes:.

Another friend of his, tired of all this moaning, gave him a bollocking for his constant do-nothing attitude to his weight problem. From that day on my mate started eating properly and excersing. He had broken that mindset of excuse making. Magically and inexplicably the weight started to come off. :rolleyes: A bit of straight talking goes a long way towards motivating people to change their lifestyle. Eat less and excercise more - couldn't be simpler.

brosps

its a disease to my eyes, speaking of which i think its breakfast time naamsayin

Rhinocharge

anti-venom wrote: »

Another friend of his, tired of all this moaning, gave him a bollocking for his constant do-nothing attitude to his weight problem. From that day on my mate started eating properly and excersing. He had broken that mindset of excuse making. Magically and inexplicably the weight started to come off. :rolleyes: A bit of straight talking goes a long way towards motivating people to change their lifestyle. Eat less and excercise more - couldn't be simpler.

Fair play to him. I presume he received support from family & friends & probably several other factors.
"Eat less & excercise more-couldn't be simpler", quite a generalisation to make. For some it's over eating, others it's mental health issues & others still it's glandular. Just because you don't believe it, doesn't make it so.

All the abuse that is fired at obese, alcoholics, addicts etc, is quite cowardly. The few are made out to be the scape goats for the many. It's disgusting in this day & age that people are still viewed upon for how they look or fit in. Bet you wouldn't go to an overeaters group & make that statement.

Would this thread be allowed if it was to discuss racism & sexism? ( I very much doubt it. The disease is the in the society not the few minor groups.

Smokers used to get it in the neck, but not so much now. What changed?
Whether too thin, too fat, over eaters, under eaters, smokers, drinkers, gamblers, game addicts, internet addicts, porn addicts, pain addicts, mental & physical health problems, OCD, nervous disorders, fears etc, everone has something to hide. Not all can hide it & some even like to enforce their authority over someone else's afliction ( whether the authority exists or not )
Life is a b*tch & we all have our cross to bear ( loosely speaking )
Some beat it & some don't.

That's my rant over, appreciate your time, Cheers................

thelordofcheese

Rhinocharge wrote: »

All the abuse that is fired at obese, alcoholics, addicts etc, is quite cowardly. The few are made out to be the scape goats for the many. It's disgusting in this day & age that people are still viewed upon for how they look or fit in. Bet you wouldn't go to an overeaters group & make that statement.

well, I'm fairly certain i could outrun them, so yeah.

Rhinocharge wrote: »

Would this thread be allowed if it was to discuss wheelchair users? I very much doubt it. The disease is the in the society not the few minor groups.

People don't end up in wheelchairs because the just can't say no to seconds. More to the point they can't get out of that wheelchair just by deciding they want to and motivating themselves. It's a terrible analogy.

Mark Hamill

Rhinocharge wrote: »

"Eat less & excercise more-couldn't be simpler", quite a generalisation to make.

Why? That kind of thinking worked for most people, I lost nearly 3 stone eating less and actually doing some exercise.

Rhinocharge wrote: »

For some it's over eating, others it's mental health issues & others still it's glandular. Just because you don't believe it, doesn't make it so.

Most can still be beaten by will power.
Glandular problems either require you to intake more of a certain chemical into your body or cause your body to over stock fat, neither of which actual make you eat more, both of which can be overcome by just eating healthier.
Over eaters just eat too much and do no exercise. They use food as a crutch because its an easy way to feel better. Thing is, joining a gym or sports club and making new friends is a better way to feel better about yourself (you feel better because you have friends and you feel better because you are healthy).

The disease is the in the society not the few minor groups.
Smokers used to get it in the neck, but not so much now. What changed?
Whether too thin, too fat, over eaters, under eaters, smokers, drinkers, gamblers, game addicts, internet addicts, porn addicts, pain addicts, mental & physical health problems, OCD, nervous disorders, fears etc, everone has something to hide. Not all can hide it & some even like to enforce their authority over someone else's afliction ( whether the authority exists or not )
Life is a b*tch & we all have our cross to bear ( loosely speaking )
Some beat it & some don't.

The disease in society is not from judging people as being too fat, for smoking, drinking etc, because all these things are very bad for your health. There's a reason why fat people, long time heavy smokers and drinkers look unattractive to the general public and thats because we are made to judge potential partners in terms of how healthy they look.
I do believe there is a "disease" in society, but not in what people find unattractive, but in what a lot of magzine are putting forward as ideal physical specimens (particularly females) which, imo, are as unhealthy looking as the obese

ChewChew

If you are NOT obese, I still fail to see what, how or if obesity effects your everyday life? why worry about the strangers in our society so much?? they aint your problem.

Turd Ferguson

ChewChew wrote: »

If you are NOT obese, I still fail to see what, how or if obesity effects your everyday life? why worry about the strangers in our society so much?? they aint your problem.

I agree. Apart from taking up 2 seats on the bus or buying the last 5 fresh slices of pizza in a deli it has nothing to do with a fit and sexy guy like myself :pac:

Ponster

ChewChew wrote: »

If you are NOT obese, I still fail to see what, how or if obesity effects your everyday life? why worry about the strangers in our society so much?? they aint your problem.

I'll take a stab in the dark and say that some people could be upset by obese people being treated by National Health Care meaning that peopls taxes were being used to treat them. Some who believe it not to be an illness would object to this.

ChewChew

Turd Ferguson wrote: »

I agree. Apart from taking up 2 seats on the bus or buying the last 5 fresh slices of pizza in a deli it has nothing to do with a fit and sexy guy like myself :pac:

of course. because you are a 'fit and sexy guy' you are automatically exempt. remove yourself. please.

Ponster wrote: »

I'll take a stab in the dark and say that some people could be upset by obese people being treated by National Health Care meaning that peopls taxes were being used to treat them. Some who believe it not to be an illness would object to this.

maybe so. but most of us pay taxes that go towards things we disagree with. I disagree with 6 GAA teams getting a garda escort to croke park of sunday just gone. what a waste of 18 on-duty gards?