When you look around in your daily lives, you probably see many people whom are chubby, fat, and orca whale obese. If the grocery store were a beach, it would often not be somewhere you want to see a bikini. Naturally enough, you probably want to nod your head in the affirmative when you hear nutritionists or fitness gurus speak of an obesity "epidemic." It rings truth. One study found the healthiest Yanks are less healthy than the least healthy Brits (although by the same token Brits are the fattest Europeans). Yet, is there really an "epidemic?"
Look, I believe Americans are healthier now than ever before in history. The marvels of modern medicine are amazing and our knowledge of the human body is continually expanding. Our knowledge of diet, nutrition, and exercise trumps Donald Trumps' real estate empire. I surmise the average standard of living has never been better. America is a nation obsessed with health. It's hard to miss hearing about the latest health news, neighborhood gyms are big business, television are flooded with commercials for fitness equipment, bookstore magazine racks are swimming in promoting general nutrition. Women, in particular, are obessed with health talk. There's no doubt Americans spend extravagantly more on healthcare than any other country.
Claims of the "obesity epidemic" are based largely upon the BMI, body mass index. The BMI only takes into account body weight and height, but since muscle is denser than fat and both weigh the same, the fittest individuals can be "overweight". Under this scheme, Brad Pitt is overweight and George Clooney is obese. To further compound the deception of the "epidemic", about a decade ago BMI standards of what consitutes healthy weight were changed and so overnight many previously healthy people were suddenly overweight. It's fallacious ot claim "epidemic" from merely changing definitions.
There are those who claim there is a "conspiracy" by doctors and the nutrition/fitness industries to "make you sick" (and therefore need their services), but I disagree. I believe this problem arises out of people's best intentions. We genuinely want to be healthy and wish others to be healthy; consequently as medical knowledge expands and deepens, we continually refine and gradually restrict our definitions of good health. As such, inventing a surging obesity epidemic out of thin air may have the positive side effect of creating a healthier human species. Nonetheless, the "epidemic" is bad thinking.
Look, I believe Americans are healthier now than ever before in history. The marvels of modern medicine are amazing and our knowledge of the human body is continually expanding. Our knowledge of diet, nutrition, and exercise trumps Donald Trumps' real estate empire. I surmise the average standard of living has never been better. America is a nation obsessed with health. It's hard to miss hearing about the latest health news, neighborhood gyms are big business, television are flooded with commercials for fitness equipment, bookstore magazine racks are swimming in promoting general nutrition. Women, in particular, are obessed with health talk. There's no doubt Americans spend extravagantly more on healthcare than any other country.
Claims of the "obesity epidemic" are based largely upon the BMI, body mass index. The BMI only takes into account body weight and height, but since muscle is denser than fat and both weigh the same, the fittest individuals can be "overweight". Under this scheme, Brad Pitt is overweight and George Clooney is obese. To further compound the deception of the "epidemic", about a decade ago BMI standards of what consitutes healthy weight were changed and so overnight many previously healthy people were suddenly overweight. It's fallacious ot claim "epidemic" from merely changing definitions.
There are those who claim there is a "conspiracy" by doctors and the nutrition/fitness industries to "make you sick" (and therefore need their services), but I disagree. I believe this problem arises out of people's best intentions. We genuinely want to be healthy and wish others to be healthy; consequently as medical knowledge expands and deepens, we continually refine and gradually restrict our definitions of good health. As such, inventing a surging obesity epidemic out of thin air may have the positive side effect of creating a healthier human species. Nonetheless, the "epidemic" is bad thinking.
