Wednesday, November 30, 2011

I have seen the enemy and it is us

Hospital’s obesity billboards stir debate
A Northwest Indiana hospital that erected billboards with the message “Obesity is a disease. Not a decision” is facing a backlash from people offended by the signs’ suggestion that obesity isn’t a lifestyle choice.

Winfield resident September Vawter lashed out at the weight-loss program’s message in an email she sent to the hospital. She feels strongly that obesity is the result of lifestyle choices.
“There is no disease that causes your body to drive to McDonald’s to go get some fries. There is no disease that makes your hands unwrap a candy bar. It’s all habits,” her email said.

Actually, if you have Hyperinsulinemia and eat low fat food- you will become hypoglycemic. Not surprisingly- low blood sugar strongly affects the prefrontal cortex and decision making abilities... and causes a desperate craving for food. Not to mention the excess insulin converts almost all that food to fat and starves your brain even further.
In susceptible people - compulsive eating is triggered by the very diet doctors recommend to treat obesity.
That's endocrinology, not habits.

(Although I applaud the sentiment of the billboard, I don't approve of the goal- which is to fill up their bariatric surgery center- not to truly treat the illness they claim is the cause...)