May 22nd, 2011 → 11:12 am @ daped
Greetings friends!
Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately you’re probably aware that obesity rates in America have increased in the last 20 years. In 2009 the CDC reported that state obesity rates were largely between 20%-30%. Only Colorado and the District of Columbia were less than 20% (they were a slim 18.6% and 19.7%, respectively).
If you’re like me and need to count on your fingers, this means that 1-2 people out of 5 in the United States are obese. Unfortunately, the trends for kids and young adults are the same. (more…)
February 5th, 2011 → 3:34 pm @ daped
Greetings friends!
Have you seen this article: Doctors and nurses’ weight biases harm overweight patients ?
THE FACTS
1. 6% of moderately overweight people experience bias due to their size
2. 13% of obese people experience bias
3. 40% of severely obese people experience bias
4. of 600 doctors surveyed, 50% view obese patients as “awkward, unattractive, and non compliant”
5. 11 studies show that many nurses harbor negative opinions of these patients
Is anyone else besides me struck by this? I can understand the frustration with non compliant patients of any kind. Trying to help someone that doesn’t take the advice would be irritating to anyone. But to take it farther and openly describe obese patients (people) as “awkward” and “unattractive” I think says nothing except where we are in society. It’s a sad judgment that I think many overweight folks already know and feel (I know I did) but many don’t deserve … even from doctors.
What do you think?
Until next time,
Doug
December 26th, 2010 → 8:20 am @ daped
Greetings friends!
Are you up to date on the latest obesity policies suggested by our lawmakers? I definitely wasn’t until I read an article in my local paper. Having had a personal background with childhood obesity, I couldn’t help but be struck by what’s been suggested and form some quick opinions. I’ve outlined the relevant facts for you along with some candid reactions.
Here’s the article. What do you think: Illinois groups try to solve child obesity ?
THE FACTS:
1. Illinois has the 4th highest rate of childhood obesity in the country (1 in 5 kids!)
2. 1 in 4 adults in Illinois is obese
3. 37% of adults in Illinois is overweight
4. Obesity costs! (increases health care costs $3.4 billion per year in Illinois alone)
ILLINOIS ALLIANCE TO PREVENT OBESITY’s PROPOSED SOLUTIONS: (more…)
December 23rd, 2010 → 4:22 pm @ daped
Greetings friends!
I never considered myself to be obese until the Mayo Clinic told me I was. Here’s what they say about it:
“Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. Doctors often use a formula based on your height and weight — called the body mass index (BMI) — to determine if you are obese. Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese. Extreme obesity, also called severe obesity or morbid obesity, occurs when you have a BMI of 40 or more. With morbid obesity, you are especially likely to have serious health problems. Today, about one in three American adults is considered to be obese, but obesity is also becoming an increasing health problem globally. The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health problems associated with obesity.”
— By Mayo Clinic Staff
December 22nd, 2010 → 11:58 pm @ daped
Greetings friends and welcome to my Blog!
Many of you “first readers” are my dear family and friends that know me, or at least know part of me, very well. So, I truly appreciate those of you that have listened to me talk about this project for months before finally seeing it come to life. Who would have thought: Doug P. has a blog?!
For those of you viewing this in the future, you’re more than likely interested in weight loss. Perhaps you’re an adult or a teenager that’s currently fighting obesity. You could be unsatisfied with your weight and afraid of becoming obese. Or maybe, you are a parent of an obese kid or some type of a practitioner that’s interested in the obesity epidemic in America. In every case, it’s a pleasure to meet you and I’d like to take a moment and let you know who I am and what this blog is all about. (more…)
