Saturday, June 04, 2005
Why Do I Even Bother?
Yesterday, I put up a post about some fallacies in the public health community regarding obesity and the next day, all sorts of stories appear about obesity as a public health crisis.
ABC News has a story about "criticial" childhood periods that lead the adult obesity.
My post from yesterday, well actually the source I based it on, showed that there is currently no known link between obesity and mortality. As a nation we have become so obsessed with weight that it has risen to the level of near religion. I bet your church at some point or another has had a weight lose class or support group or something. So, of course, they are going to look for science to make the case as well.
The same thing has gone on with so many environmental issues as well. Genuine pollution, that is to say putting toxic materials where they do not belong, is a big deal. But environmentalism now encompasses preventing someone else from building a house because you like your view. And as we are seeing with obesity, there is great pressure on religion and science to provide moral and knowledgable support for people's TASTE.
If my gut bothers you, let's talk about it. If my house blocks your view, let's talk about it. But knock off making your preferences and choices a matter of moral and scientific imperative.
ABC News has a story about "criticial" childhood periods that lead the adult obesity.
Identifying these critical periods, they say, could help public health experts determine where best to intervene.And then Reuters, as carried by MSNBC, attempts to restore obesity as the greatest health issue confronting the nation.
Treating obesity-related disorders costs as much or more than illnesses caused by aging, smoking and problem drinking.I am getting really sick and tired of fashion as science, and particularly when that "science" is used to create public policy.
My post from yesterday, well actually the source I based it on, showed that there is currently no known link between obesity and mortality. As a nation we have become so obsessed with weight that it has risen to the level of near religion. I bet your church at some point or another has had a weight lose class or support group or something. So, of course, they are going to look for science to make the case as well.
The same thing has gone on with so many environmental issues as well. Genuine pollution, that is to say putting toxic materials where they do not belong, is a big deal. But environmentalism now encompasses preventing someone else from building a house because you like your view. And as we are seeing with obesity, there is great pressure on religion and science to provide moral and knowledgable support for people's TASTE.
If my gut bothers you, let's talk about it. If my house blocks your view, let's talk about it. But knock off making your preferences and choices a matter of moral and scientific imperative.
