Obesity: Why are we getting fat? :epizza:

[cooloola]

getting back to obesity and viral causes - last semester one of my professors said that when in doubt about a cause of disease blame the virus (apparently quite common in the field)- it can't be proven yet keeps everyone happy till the actual cause is found.....

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by cooloola

getting back to obesity and viral causes - last semester one of my professors said that when in doubt about a cause of disease blame the virus (apparently quite common in the field)- it can't be proven yet keeps everyone happy till the actual cause is found.....

He could be right
However that kind of close minded and dismissive attitude will prevent him from examining the evidence
.................................................. ..........

FIGHTING OBESITY

The hot word in obesity for this year is "leptin." When the connection between this hormone and weight loss was first discovered in 1994, researchers helped fat, overfed lab mice stay slim.
And they believed they could do with people what they did with mice: inject some leptin, and kiss pounds goodbye.
Humans, it turned out, were more complicated.
When they lost weight, their bodies became stingier with calories consumed and more efficient in retaining existing weight. Not willing to give up on leptin, scientists at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City started looking at the hormone as a possible weight-loss-maintenance drug.
They discovered through scans that brain activity in areas connected to restraint and control declines after weight loss. Hike leptin levels, however, and those brain areas become more active.
Researchers now see new possibilities for leptin in long-term weight control.

Video at site
What Will '09 Bring In Medicine?, Expert On Likely Directions In Treatment Of Obesity, Cancer, Infections, Brain Diseases, And Aging Skin - CBS News

[Michaelangelica]

Medications or substances causing Weight gain:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Weight gain as a symptom.

This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

Medications causing Weight gain - WrongDiagnosis.com

herbal or alternative treatments
Bitter herbs (wormwood, Quassia, etc) or herbal bitters are said to stimulate appetite. Also Mary Jane of course.

Mirtazapine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• constipation
• increased appetite
• weight gain

Mirtazapine: Information from Answers.com
You won't find the words "obesity' or "fat' in drug company side-effects information.
Try 'weight gain'

[Racoon]

Originally Posted by cooloola

getting back to obesity and viral causes - last semester one of my professors said that when in doubt about a cause of disease blame the virus (apparently quite common in the field)- it can't be proven yet keeps everyone happy till the actual cause is found.....

If you consider laziness a disease.

Its a psychological disease caused by mental addiction to playing video games and eating unhealthy snacks!!

F* that!
Call a spade a spade..

You don't exercise, and you consume to0 many calories.
Point Blank ! *bang*

[Racoon]

i'M SICK OF THIS
Here are the solutions to Obesity:

Eat Less (calorically speaking)

Exercise More

Lap Band Surgery

Crytal Meth


Its not complicated. Its basic math.

If you have the fat storing gene, then best you can do is to control it.. Which means daily exercise.
If you exercise every day, eat healthy, do/take what the doctor prescribes, and you can't lose wieght
Then just forget about it!! you'll get fat and die. we all die eventually.

Sorry Michael.. theres no Magic Bullet.
Get off your ass or die watching TV

[pamela]

i hope your remarks are sarcastic Racoon, not sure....

"eat less"- overweight people naturally eat less than those who are active and require constant fuel for energy

"exercise more" we all should- but when you fat around your heart, you should take it easy and slow to avoid a heart attack

"lap band surgery" all surgery has risks and that band can BREAK- this is not a viable solution and is only putting a bandaid on a gaping wound

"crystal meth" sure you could lose weight doing this, and your life, job, sanity, friends, cash, freedom...........

we all store fat, that is necessary to our bodies
to assess the the most effective weight loss plan, it is important to look at the individual , their needs, health problems, etc
there is no standard-we are all different

[Racoon]

Originally Posted by pamela

i hope your remarks are sarcastic Racoon, not sure....

"eat less"- overweight people naturally eat less than those who are active and require constant fuel for energy

"exercise more" we all should- but when you fat around your heart, you should take it easy and slow to avoid a heart attack

"lap band surgery" all surgery has risks and that band can BREAK- this is not a viable solution and is only putting a bandaid on a gaping wound

"crystal meth" sure you could lose weight doing this, and your life, job, sanity, friends, cash, freedom...........

we all store fat, that is necessary to our bodies
to assess the the most effective weight loss plan, it is important to look at the individual , their needs, health problems, etc
there is no standard-we are all different

I am not kidding, and I am being serious


Then what is the solution?

Either A, you exercise and burn calories more than you consume.

Or B you don't.. and gain weight.

There is no Wonder Cure or Special Pill.
Its all Very, very simple.

If you have a genetic problem, then you are in a very small minority.
Otherwise its modern living combined with Laziness


Lap Band surgery IS a legitimate surgical alternative. If you can't control the amount of food you shove though your pie hole, then it forces your stomach to!

Crystal Meth was obviously a slight joke. No way would I really think that wa s a good way to lose wight, But it has been proven to work if all eslse fails

[pamela]

you seem a little harsh and judgemental towards obese people.
You don't know what has driven them to over consume, if genetics was not a factor. A lonely child without friends or a parents concern may find comfort in chocolate and chips in front of the TV. There are many possible scenarios that could come into play, but disdain and contempt is not a good motivator for someone to change their eating habits and lifestyle.
Yes, burn more calories than consumed, but do it moderately to avoid risking a heart attack. Different types of bariatric surgery can certainly help, but there can be complications and side effects as well. If the symptom is out of control pie hole shoveling, then counseling and professional help would be a good idea in addition to a quality diet plan with exercise

[TIC]

We are no longer hunters, gathers, or farmers. We Are mostly consumers and consume to much, food included.

No rocket science here. If you eat more than you need, some of it gets stored at fat . . .

[charles brough]

Originally Posted by pamela

you seem a little harsh and judgemental towards obese people.
You don't know what has driven them to over consume, if genetics was not a factor. A lonely child without friends or a parents concern may find comfort in chocolate and chips in front of the TV. There are many possible scenarios that could come into play, but disdain and contempt is not a good motivator for someone to change their eating habits and lifestyle.
Yes, burn more calories than consumed, but do it moderately to avoid risking a heart attack. Different types of bariatric surgery can certainly help, but there can be complications and side effects as well. If the symptom is out of control pie hole shoveling, then counseling and professional help would be a good idea in addition to a quality diet plan with exercise

I agree that it is more a social problem than something we should blame the individual for. Our commercialized, consumer-driven way of life leaves us without enough exercise and our pursuit-of-happiness ideology leads to less self-discipline and over-eating.

Still, I notice that there is a distinct class line between obese and not-obese. Poor people seem to be the fattest! Any statistics anyone?