But What About Health?

We are given so many messages about the ill effects of overweight on health, it's scary. The good news is that many of the claims about weight and health are inaccurate or exaggerated. There are several great books now, debunking the myths of the diet industry. These include Fat Politics by J. Eric Oliver and The Diet Myth by Paul Campos.

I am not an MD or an expert on physiology. But I have been reading a great deal on health issues associated with overweight and obesity. Here's some of what I've learned. First, overweight is a relative term. We don't really know what the ideal weight is for people. The charts we use, including the new BMI chart, are based on life expectancies of people at different heights and weights. But BMI doesn't measure fitness. Many atheletes in top physical condition have very high BMIs because they carry a lot of muscle mass.

Research doesn't show that being fat or having a high BMI causes health problems (or that being thinner cures them). Instead it shows a correlation. This is very important. It may be the same factor that causes health problems also causes the body to store more fat. Targeting weight as the problem is similar to targeting cold temperatures as the cause of colds. We now know that colds are more likely in the winter because more of us are indoors, coming into close contact with each other. We'd catch fewer colds if we stayed outside!

Instead of focusing on weight loss, it makes more sense to look at the factors that really have an impact on health. These include consistent exercise for strength, stamina and flexibility. And eating a variety of foods, including those with fiber, colorful fruits and vegetables, and foods with minimal processing. It may also be wise to eat organic foods when available and affordable. Research also shows that stress reduction has enormous health benefits. So instead of worrying about your weight, try yoga or tai-chi (where exercise meets stress reduction). For more information on reaching optimal health, you may want to look at Eating Well for Optimal Health by Andrew Weil, and Mega Yoga by Megan Garcia.

If you know you have a health condition or high risk for one, you may CHOOSE to modify your diet. This is very different from restricting foods to achieve thinness. I can't eat eggplant. I love eggplant, and I'm sad I can't have it. But I know that when I do, I get a terrible reaction. Your body may react badly to salt or sugar or peanuts or shellfish. Limiting or eliminating foods that make you sick is not deprivation. It's respecting and honoring your unique needs.

I encourage you to do your own reading and find your comfort zone around health. You are the best expert on you.