Comments on: There is no “obesity epidemic” http://sedgemore.com/2009/05/there-is-no-obesity-epidemic/ journalist and science writer Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:12:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jim Monk http://sedgemore.com/2009/05/there-is-no-obesity-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-3712 Jim Monk Mon, 25 May 2009 20:25:20 +0000 http://sedgemore.com/?p=4440#comment-3712 Taubes does argue that obesity is usually the result of a serious, albeit common, metabolic disorder, and not just the result of consuming too much. I certainly agree with your last comment. Of late he seems like a journalist who is tiring of his story. Thought his book was very persuasive though, and he does pay attention there to Friedman's genetics research. Taubes does argue that obesity is usually the result of a serious, albeit common, metabolic disorder, and not just the result of consuming too much.

I certainly agree with your last comment. Of late he seems like a journalist who is tiring of his story. Thought his book was very persuasive though, and he does pay attention there to Friedman’s genetics research.

]]> By: Francis Sedgemore http://sedgemore.com/2009/05/there-is-no-obesity-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-3710 Francis Sedgemore Mon, 25 May 2009 09:52:37 +0000 http://sedgemore.com/?p=4440#comment-3710 There has to be something seriously awry with a person's body for muscle to be burned before adipose tissue. Unless, that is, the body is operating in the anaerobic zone (heart rate >80% of max). Famine will lead to metabolic imbalance, but I'm not at all convinced by Taube's argument that this effect is significant. I'm also put off by the introduction to and delivery of Taube's talk. So often, when a speaker is described as being controversial, fearless, etc., one is is about to be recipient of some seriously contentious opinion. Being controversial, fearless, in-yer-face or whatever doesn't guarantee that a person is right. There has to be something seriously awry with a person’s body for muscle to be burned before adipose tissue. Unless, that is, the body is operating in the anaerobic zone (heart rate >80% of max). Famine will lead to metabolic imbalance, but I’m not at all convinced by Taube’s argument that this effect is significant.

I’m also put off by the introduction to and delivery of Taube’s talk. So often, when a speaker is described as being controversial, fearless, etc., one is is about to be recipient of some seriously contentious opinion. Being controversial, fearless, in-yer-face or whatever doesn’t guarantee that a person is right.

]]> By: Jim Monk http://sedgemore.com/2009/05/there-is-no-obesity-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-3707 Jim Monk Sun, 24 May 2009 22:17:02 +0000 http://sedgemore.com/?p=4440#comment-3707 Torpor and muscle atrophy might balance the equation, not to mention organ failure and death. It seems that in a famine the body is reluctant to tap the fat tissue. Further, when the traditional diet is no longer available, if the available food is almost all carbohydrate, even though the calories consumed are reduced, fat stored will increase, in some people. At least, that's my understanding of what Taube is saying in the video. Torpor and muscle atrophy might balance the equation, not to mention organ failure and death.

It seems that in a famine the body is reluctant to tap the fat tissue. Further, when the traditional diet is no longer available, if the available food is almost all carbohydrate, even though the calories consumed are reduced, fat stored will increase, in some people. At least, that’s my understanding of what Taube is saying in the video.

]]> By: Francis Sedgemore http://sedgemore.com/2009/05/there-is-no-obesity-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-3695 Francis Sedgemore Thu, 21 May 2009 21:49:01 +0000 http://sedgemore.com/?p=4440#comment-3695 I can understand that obesity is possible in people who are malnourished, or in extreme poverty. But not if they are literally starved of calories. That would appear to violate basic thermodynamics. I can understand that obesity is possible in people who are malnourished, or in extreme poverty. But not if they are literally starved of calories. That would appear to violate basic thermodynamics.

]]> By: Jim Monk http://sedgemore.com/2009/05/there-is-no-obesity-epidemic/comment-page-1/#comment-3692 Jim Monk Thu, 21 May 2009 20:13:25 +0000 http://sedgemore.com/?p=4440#comment-3692 Friedman may be correct about the genetic role in determining weight, but it's not true that starving people can't become obese. Gary Taubes has found plenty of evidence of obesity in people experiencing famine, malnutrition and extreme poverty. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4362041487661765149 Friedman may be correct about the genetic role in determining weight, but it’s not true that starving people can’t become obese.

Gary Taubes has found plenty of evidence of obesity in people experiencing famine, malnutrition and extreme poverty.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4362041487661765149

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