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Hey it’s fat bear week and since some people are talking about the links between “obesity” and poor health I thought it’s probably time for me to once again remind everyone that this thread (and its linked threads) exists. https://twitter.com/cricketcrocker/status/1283766511790940160
The thing is, my friends, that no one is saying fat people have perfect health all the time.
I would really like to have this stick: “obesity” is a condition for which there are no clinical symptoms or health related diagnostic criteria.
I would really like to have this stick: “obesity” is a condition for which there are no clinical symptoms or health related diagnostic criteria.
The World Health Org and the Obesity Society (a scientific research association) define “obesity” as, essentially “if you have enough body fat that it might contribute to making you sick at some point in the future”.
It’s diagnosed primarily using BMI.
It’s diagnosed primarily using BMI.
We know that BMI cannot distinguish between tissue types. We know that it is not (see previously linked threads) even a biologically relevant heuristic.
We know BMI fails to apply generally across populations globally (see previous citation).
We know BMI fails to apply generally across populations globally (see previous citation).
So...given that BMI is THE ONLY diagnostic criterion in basically all cases of “obesity” diagnosis.
There is no factual basis on which to conclude that obesity is a health condition based on diagnostic procedures.
Not convinced yet?
There is no factual basis on which to conclude that obesity is a health condition based on diagnostic procedures.
Not convinced yet?
Let’s try the other direction.
“Enough body fat that it might contribute to health conditions in the future”
That definition, paraphrased as it is, is faithful to the originals *specifically* in that it actually doesn’t mention “too much” or “not enough” body fat.
Look it up.
“Enough body fat that it might contribute to health conditions in the future”
That definition, paraphrased as it is, is faithful to the originals *specifically* in that it actually doesn’t mention “too much” or “not enough” body fat.
Look it up.
What does this mean?
Well it means that if any of us ever anytime in the future has a health condition that can at all be related to the *existence* of adipose tissue in our bodies...we are obese.
So?
Well it means that if any of us ever anytime in the future has a health condition that can at all be related to the *existence* of adipose tissue in our bodies...we are obese.
So?
So this means that when underweight people have health complications? That’s obesity, by current definitions.
When anyone of any size has any condition related to the endocrine signaling we rely on adipose tissue to facilitate? That’s obesity, by current definitions.
When anyone of any size has any condition related to the endocrine signaling we rely on adipose tissue to facilitate? That’s obesity, by current definitions.
So it’s silly coming and going—not only is it defined in a way that is unrelated to any health condition using a laughably awful heuristic...but even if we use the WHO/TOS science definition...it can’t distinguish among basically anyone in the global population.
It’s hard to imagine a more medically and scientifically useless term.
So why do we keep using it?
“Respecting the conventions of the field” doesn’t mean we can’t jettison objectively disproven models.
So why do we keep using it?
“Respecting the conventions of the field” doesn’t mean we can’t jettison objectively disproven models.
But the use of the term creates cultural space for discrimination in employment, medical care, and legal processes.
The use of the term facilitates denial of basic rights.
The use of the term makes billions for fitness & diet industries.
The use of the term creates scapegoats.
The use of the term facilitates denial of basic rights.
The use of the term makes billions for fitness & diet industries.
The use of the term creates scapegoats.
I didn’t always know this stuff. I learned it from doing lots and lots of reading and thinking over the course of a couple years.
I’m not the first to realize any of it.
But if you want to talk about or study health, use health-related variables.
It’s that simple.
I’m not the first to realize any of it.
But if you want to talk about or study health, use health-related variables.
It’s that simple.
I closed my tip jar but if you appreciate my work and have a few bucks to spare, I love it when folks donate to @/TheOkraProject!
You can also help support a couple Indigenous families w young kids here:
http://Paypal.me/iamlakotak http://PayPal.me/Wapshkankwet
You can also help support a couple Indigenous families w young kids here:
http://Paypal.me/iamlakotak http://PayPal.me/Wapshkankwet
Otherwise please do the work that you can to invest in forming strong community networks and mutual aid funds.
Be honest about how safe you are compared to others and use that to protect whoever you can beyond yourself
Be honest about how safe you are compared to others and use that to protect whoever you can beyond yourself
And if you don’t know about orange shirt day (which is today), please look it up.
