I’m going to recommend a book I disagree with. It’s THE TRUTH ABOUT FAT by @One_Angry_Chef. He thinks obesity is COMPLICATED. I think it’s SIMPLE. His book wonderfully lays out the position I don’t hold. THREADing here. amazon.com/Truth-About-Fa…
There are things about obesity that ARE complicated. Metabolism, genetics, hormones, etc. All complicated, but all essentially beside the point because the problem isn’t what’s happening INSIDE our bodies. It’s OUTSIDE. It’s the FOOD ENVIRONMENT. washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food…
Sure, some people navigate the food environment without gaining weight. In the US it’s only about 25% of us. When 75% of humans can’t navigate the environment, the problem isn’t the HUMANS. It’s the SYSTEM. (Yeah, you've heard me say this before ... sorry)
The food industry is GENIUS at overwhelming ordinary human willpower. They have billions of dollars to make things irresistible. Succumbing isn’t a CHARACTER FLAW! It’s the expected result when we’re WILDLY overmatched. discovermagazine.com/2018/may/one-b…
But focusing on WHY that 25% doesn’t gain weight is like trying to figure out why some people excel at piano, or tennis, or math. Humans are a mishmash of capabilities. Also, resources like money & education help, but not as much as you’d think. washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food…
Here’s the essential point: obesity doesn’t require biochemical dysfunction. We eat because we’re hungry, but we also eat because we’re TEMPTED. Food tastes good! And when it’s in our face 24/7, well … discovermagazine.com/2016/nov/siren…
I speculate (repeat SPECULATE) that making obesity complicated makes it seem like weight loss is beyond the understanding of ordinary people trying to lose a few pounds. If you don’t think you can understand it, how can you believe it’s within your power to lose weight.
We agree on some very important stuff. WEIGHT STIGMA is mean and stress-inducing and generally horrible. Nobody who doesn’t want to lose weight should be pressured to do so. KINDNESS should rule this conversation. Read @rottenindenmark on this.
highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/ev…
highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/ev…
While I hope to persuade you that obesity is a straightforward problem of an overwhelming food environment, I think @One_Angry_Chef makes the very best case for the opposite position, and everyone should read his book. THE END. amazon.com/Truth-About-Fa…
