Obesity and the new medication that treats it

[Magical Realist]

This was aired last night on 60 minutes and has some good insights into America's obesity epidemic. It was certainly new to me..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMRnDNhPwqM

[Syne]

Human brains and bodies signal for appetites, both food and sexual, all the time. If you do not have the willpower to curb those yourself, you resort to drugs or surgeries, often with some significant risks involved. Things like Noom, that deals with behavior and mental health, sound like a much healthier option. Again, only for those who can't muster the willpower to do it themselves.

Is it any wonder that half of adults are obese when significant portions of society are push fat-acceptance?

The human brain hasn't changed from 40 years ago, when obesity was a fraction of what it is today. What has changed is societal pressure to change your bad habits or at least feel some degree of shame.

[Leigha]

There could very well be underlying issues, genetic or otherwise, that can slow weight loss for some people even with the best of intentions but there really are no “shortcuts” to fitness. Exercise, eating a clean healthy diet, quality sleep, etc…it really takes a consistent effort in those areas to stay fit.

I’m concerned that medication/treatment like this, won’t motivate changes in behaviors and lifestyles, possibly causing obese people to feel this is an “easy fix.” So, they’ll lose the weight …maybe, but gain it back somewhat quickly because they’re not learning new habits that will help sustain weight loss.

[confused2]

Gone are the days when a fat friend was an insurance policy against a hard winter.

[Magical Realist]

Again, only for those who can't muster the willpower to do it themselves.

It's not thru lack of willpower that many remain obese. The extremes to which they go, including even gastric bypass surgery, demonstrates that. As the doctor in the video said, many are obese because of genetics, which tends to resist any weight loss due to change in one's diet or exercise. I believe it is a metabolism problem that's the cause. If they could invent a medication that increases that then that would probably work best.

[Leigha]

Can't recall what series I'd watched that covered the genetic aspect of losing weight, but the main theme with many of the obese people who agreed to undergo this diet/exercise ''experiment,'' is that they were all obese as children. And when they were growing up, their parents (or at least one parent) were obese.

The show highlighted that there was a correlation between the diets we have as kids, healthy or otherwise, and our ability to lose weight and keep it off, as adults. Thought that was insightful.

[Syne]

Again, only for those who can't muster the willpower to do it themselves.

It's not thru lack of willpower that many remain obese. The extremes to which they go, including even gastric bypass surgery, demonstrates that.

It really doesn't. Surgery doesn't require any willpower. Hence resuming weight gain. Willpower involves changing one's behavior and habits. Not looking for a quick fix.

As the doctor in the video said, many are obese because of genetics, which tends to resist any weight loss due to change in one's diet or exercise. I believe it is a metabolism problem that's the cause. If they could invent a medication that increases that then that would probably work best.

No, it's just learned behaviors and coping mechanisms. Materialists just jump on the fact that these behaviors are learned and passed on in families. Giving these people ready-made excuses about genetics will only keep them obese...until some magical quick fix that requires zero discipline.