<p>I am well read in matters of nutrition, metabolism, some endocrine functions (mainly interested in biochemical processes that affect human metabolism like lipogenesis, anabolism, protein synthesis). Trying to get into reading about exercise science when I have the time.</p>
<p>Why wouldn’t I advise teenagers how to eat? I haven’t given out a single word of advice that is wrong. Besides, my advice is far superior than the misinformed drivel she hears everyday (eat more pizza…). As I said, you can read up on biochemistry if you doubt my suggestions. </p>
<p>p.s. I skimmed over the article again. It said that fat people gain back fat faster…So? It could be very well from the fact that they have low self control in the first place. That study proves jack.</p>
<p>Very sorry I entered the BMI indicator. It says I’m at 30.8. I’d have to be about 180 to get to the normal weight. Not buying it.</p>
<p>My bones and skin alone probably weigh 180 lbs. Would look like a skeleton. I cant imagine that a 6’3" 180 pound man would look incredibly healthy, or be incredibly healthy. Although I am dieting right now!</p>
<p>ILOVEGOODBREW - It wasn’t supposed to prove anything. I said it was an interesting article. </p>
<p>Authorities at the highest levels of science are studying obesity and claim not to understand its cause. If it was well understood, it wouldn’t need to be studied.</p>
<p>Eating like a pig is a 100% sure way to get obese. I don’t think you need to run many studies on that, ja? If you look at the American population now, I think that hypothesis applies splendidly (What, 70% are fat now, I think!?!). Do you really think that lack of excercise and excess consumption of processed foods, trans fats, sodas, etc are just a coincidence? </p>
<p>I am just a bit sick of fat people trying to blame genes or George Bush or global warming for being fat. Unless you have some severe thyroid problems (and this is very very very rare), obesity is a simple lifestyle choice.</p>
<p>p.s.- aikomidori asked me a very simple question. I am a novice in this vast and amazing field, but I do feel qualified enough to answer her.</p>
<p>Sure, over a large population group, you should have more or less of a bell curve effect (say, 10% will be fat, 10% very fit, the rest falling somewhere in the middle). If you have a huge number of fat people, the BMI will shift upwards and have a much more pronounced effect). If your population is generally underfed (say some poor African nation), your BMI will be lower. i.e. Compare China’s BMI to America’s. Since a much smaller percentage of China’s population is fat, their BMI is a lower than America’s. See what I mean?</p>
<p>
Yeah, I am sure no one in the medical community ever thought about overeating as a cause of obesity. Right.</p>
<p>I just looked at one of the links in EK’s original post (about self-advocacy by heavier individuals). I think such movements are important in that they reinforce the inappropriateness of people feeling free to make all kinds of hurtful comments about the weight of others…at least that is true regarding overweight. My 18-year-old daughter is quite thin (BMI 14.6), but she is healthy, athletic, and eats a nutritious and varied (actually adventurous) diet. Why is it that complete strangers feel free to make comments to her about her weight and even warn her of the dangers of anorexia? During her early teen years, she wore loose, bulky clothes as much as possible in an effort to disguise how thin she was. Now she just smiles and says that she is fit and healthy, but I know she would really prefer that people think before they speak.</p>
<p>Iloveagoodbrew, my son adheres to the principles you listed a couple pages ago. He eats lean protein at each “feeding”, only complex carbs, no calorie drinks (mostly water and skim milk are his fluids). He looks great, works out daily and is fanatical about his diet. However, that eating every 2-3 hours is really a pain in the … I’m looking forward to him returning to school so that he is not in the kitchen every couple hours fixing chicken breasts! I may not eat chicken again for months, lol.</p>
<p>My co-worker went on the eating every 2 hrs bit. She heard it would help her blood sugar. I am so glad she gave it up. Drove me crazy, crunch, crunch, sip, sip, cups all over. It was really important to her to try, so I supported her. She thinks she lost weight, I see her everyday so I didn’t notice.</p>
<p>I definitely don’t buy the whole BMI business. About a year ago, I started working out at 4-5 times a week for anywhere between 30-90 minutes, and I’ve gained about 6 lbs since then, putting my BMI at 24.4 (I’m 5’3" and weigh 138), which is almost overweight according to their standards. I’m thinking that most of what I gained is muscle mass, since I do strength training as well. It doesn’t make sense that I have such a high BMI, but I still wear size 4 pants, and nobody would consider me close to being overweight…</p>
<p>Just take the whole BMI with a grain of salt.</p>
<p>A BMI of 14.6 (according to an on-line calculator I tried) would be, for example, if a 5’ 5" person weighed 87.5 lbs. This doesn’t sound healthy for an 18yo.</p>
<p>I have been seeing a dietician for 9 months now and have been following the principles outlined by iloveagoodbrew during that time. I have changed how I eat and what I eat and how much I eat and I feel fantastic! My refrigerator is packed full of a variety (variety is key to good nutrition) of fruits and veggies. I graze. I eat to get well & to be healthy. Best thing my dietician ever said to me: Don’t ever treat yourself with food. Treat yourself with a trip, clothes, whatever, but never food. We have to eat to live; we can’t stop it. It is not a treat but a necessity. Exercise is a key component but without healthy eating it is for naught in the big picture. You have to do both, eat right and get up and move. And someone was saying awhile back that the U.S. is overweight. I just got back and I see every year more and more folks who are overweight, but it isn’t just in the U.S. My little island nation is getting fatter and fatter. When you achieve the “good life” you have to be careful…</p>
<p>atomom,
My daughter is 5’ 6" and around 90 pounds. She has alway been very thin but actually gained about 5 pounds during her senior year, so I think it is likely that she will put on a little more weight in college. She’s a runner and the doctor said she apparently just burns a lot of calories. He gave her clearance to continue with her training regime and said her diet is nutritious and complete.</p>