When Science Is Afraid To Speak
Imagine a world where political correctness stops scientists in their tracks? That is where we are today. It’s not new. Galileo was kept under house arrest until his death in 1642 for holding the belief that the Earth revolves around the sun. We continue to fight about COVID 19. If you question the wrong people then you can be doxxed or destroyed. Think I am kidding? I dare you to question the new vaccine. Go ahead? Do it. I didn’t think so.
Now let’s look at the images above. I added some but the initial ones came off Twitter .
Listen, we know that obesity is not good for your health. Don’t we? I am not fat-shaming, It’s hard to keep your weight at good levels. It’s even harder as you get older. This does NOT mean we have to change the narrative like Cosmopolitan is trying to do. I am critical of their thought process and intentions. I am not being personally critical of these women. That being said, can we even have this discussion without being under house arrest like Galileo?
Here are my questions to you as my audience:
- Can you be obese and healthy?
- Are we letting the media dictate science?
- Define health for me?
I look forward to you comments.
Personally, I think these individuals are vying for the Darwin award. Will that happen before they are on Medicare or will they heavily contribute to its demise?
Doug – fully agree. Cosmo is in the business of moving product; not defining healthy. What if we simply decline to fight the science vs political correctness battle? And instead focus on a personalized definition of healthy?
How about this as a general message to the public – as an individual, you own your own health and wellness. Not your doctor; not your insurance plan; not your employer; and certainly not social media. You and your family have the most vested interest, and only you and your family can achieve your desired level of health. Think on a lifelong timeframe and start setting personal and family goals. Then sit with your PCP, ask them what’s possible for you, and work out a personalized wellness plan with them. This all assumes that your PCP is willing to spend the time. Admit to them that you’re taking primary responsibility for avoiding or curing your own present or future metabolic disease. Try to discuss movement, relationship with food, sleep patterns, stress management/resilience, and connections with others. If you can’t get this out of your PCP (and many won’t), then go look for a DPC or a DO, or otherwise find other coaches and supporting players. Then own your wellness plan and execute on it. Your PCP isn’t your parent; they’re your supportive coach. Being healthy won’t come from a prescription. It isn’t something you can stroke a check for, nor is it something someone else can do to or for you.
Skeptical? You should be. Most people don’t want to hear the science. That’s why Cosmo will sell a lot of copies of the editions you featured. They’re telling their audience what the audience wants to hear. There is a lot of that going around these days.
But a subset will want to hear the truth. Let’s help who we can.
Agreed.
Lets see how the insurance industry handles this new “higher BMI is healthy” claim….My guess is it wont take many years of loss before they go bankrupt or change there requirements insuring an obese client.
You can be obese and “healthy”, until you are not from diabetes, CAD, PVD, stroke, hypertension, renal failure, immobility due to hip, knee, back pain to name a few.
Certainly ok to feel good about your “body image” while working to get to a healthy weight.
It was harmful for society and especially physicians, to stop using the term “fat.” It is truthful, allows no wiggle room, is attention-getting, and is extremely direct, useful communication. Trying to take the sting out of language has made it harder to effectively communicate ideas.
They are confusing physical fitness, and positive body image with health. Obesity is not healthy. You can still be physically fit, you can be happy with your body image, but a higher BMI is still not healthy. Some people are blessed with great genes and HDL and their obesity may not seem to be an issue. Those with poor genes, HDL, and diabetes tendency will have a premature death.