Obesity In America was RE: Extropic Priorities

From: Gary Miller (garymiller@starband.net)
Date: Wed Mar 05 2003 - 09:56:42 MST

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    >> So, *why* the blazes is the ExI list debating IRAQ when
    >> it should be debating caloric intake?

    I agree that deaths attributable to obesity will probably outnumber the
    deaths attributable to war.

    But with all the psychological pressure this society places on people
    who are obese today, anybody who hasn't got the message yet that being
    overweight is hazardous to one's health doesn't want to get the message.

    We can't legislate calorie intake in a free society.

    The only other alternative is to develop safer more effective weight
    loss methods and make them available to the general public.

    The drug companies are working feverishly on this every day. American
    spend billions on weight loss drugs, over the counter supplements, diet
    programs and fitness programs. Most of this money spent is largely
    ineffective or the products use must be discontinued due to cost. What
    drug company wouldn't want to corner the market with an effective, safe,
    weight loss drug. I would bet that obesity is much more prevalent with
    the low-income and unemployed segment of the population for many
    reasons. Lower self-esteem, inability to afford the above mentioned
    semi-effective solutions, the tendency for inactivity when you can't
    afford to leave the house.

    The media is coming out now attacking Ephedra due to a few highly
    publicized deaths that have been attributed to it. What I want to know
    is if the FDA takes Ephedra based products off of the shelves how many
    more people will die of obesity each year.

    I have heard of schools becoming involved and calling in parents for
    counseling if their child is significantly overweight. This may work in
    a few cases but what do you do if the eating patterns of the child are
    learned from those of the parents.

    What are doctors now recommending as the most effective weight loss
    method. We all know that proper nutrition and exercise is key. But
    food seems to fill both a emotional and biochemical need within the
    human brain. Many people eat more to alleviate boredom or create a
    release of serotonin the pleasure chemical in the brain.

    In the last year I have decreased my appetite and lost about 35 lbs.
    without really experiencing hunger or increasing my level of physical
    activity. I attribute the weight loss to my use of 5-HTP and Sam-E as a
    substitute for prescription antidepressants. I am not attempting to
    start a new diet craze but rather am curious to hear if anyone else has
    had the same experience. I still enjoy eating, but if I'm on the
    computer or doing something else enjoyable I don't find myself hungry.
    Before I started taking these supplements I would get a headache if I
    missed even one meal. Now it seems I will only get a headache if I
    forget to eat until say 3:00 PM in the afternoon.





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