The best way to cope with childhood obesity is to realize it is a deviance scare or moral panic akin to witchhunts or McCarthism. There is no real proof moderate fatness causes ill health. There is proof making kids a target of so much negative attention and constant barage of nagging does permanent psychological damage far worse than an increased risk of diabetes in late middle age. It also causes eeating disorders which can cause weight gain.
Every time society experiences rapid social change, we are at risk of finding a "bogeyman" to rally around as a way of achieving temporary unity. We are experiencing social breakdown as we speak. Faith in government and religion is at an all time low as we see scandal after scandal. Then there are the scandals that are yet to be exposed, like the cult involvement we are not yet ready to talk about. Unfortunately, all that collective anxiety rises to the surface and manifests itself as hysteria over obesity, particuallary childhood obesity. (I think fat children are the targets because of all the ways we have hurt our children and refuse to admit it. Sadly, it is out of control fear by those leading the crusade that prevents them from looking at past mistakes and repeating the same old tired scare tactics again and again. Antifat crusaders are just as responsible for this alleged "obesity crisis" as any fast food company.
Ironically, in a few decades, we will probably have to worry about for shortage due to global warming. Food production is already down. I actually hope that I personally don't live along time because knowing what emotional torment these antifat crusaders are doing to children with their myopia makes me resent I have to share the planet with them. I do regret I won't get to laugh in their faces though and say I told you so when we finally break denial we have so many more urgent problems to worry about!
Sherie Sanders, MA (I took my name of my login because I send my students here sometimes and I don't want them to feel they have to agree with any of my opinions. But I stand by every word of the above!)
"Weight obsession is a social disease. If we cared more about CO2 than BMI there would still be time."
It took the Army prosecutors to agree to drop the subpoenas of both the journalists and activists, and it took [[Sarah Olson]]'s bravery and obstinance, and the thousands of emails generated by www.DefendThePress.org and the scores of notable individuals and organizations putting their names on the line to force the Army to back off. Let's not make light of this as a major victory for press freedom, facilitated of course by the integrity and bravery of both Sarah Olson and [[Ehren Watada]]. It takes a powerful movement of citizens to stop wars and to protect rights of a free press and free people.
Interesting that the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation can't find any
parallels between drug ads using emotional manipulation and the emotional blackmail so many antiobesity crusaders including themselves use. Wonder if it is because this foundation is so closely linked to "the family" company of Johnson and Johnson who makes equipment for bariatric surgery. $$$$$
"Weight obsession is a social disease. If we cared more about CO2 than BMI there would still be time."
Duke Power (now called [[Duke Energy]]) runs [:node/5477|nuclear power plants], in addition to [http://www.duke-energy.com/about/plants/ coal and natural gas] plants.
Perhaps the company's newfound concern about climate change is due to its recognition of [[Nuclear Energy Institute|the nuclear industry's]] success in [:prwissues/2005Q1/nuke2.html|touting nuclear power] as a way to [:node/4745|cut greenhouse gas emissions]?
The best way to cope with childhood obesity is to realize it is a deviance scare or moral panic akin to witchhunts or McCarthism. There is no real proof moderate fatness causes ill health. There is proof making kids a target of so much negative attention and constant barage of nagging does permanent psychological damage far worse than an increased risk of diabetes in late middle age. It also causes eeating disorders which can cause weight gain.
Every time society experiences rapid social change, we are at risk of finding a "bogeyman" to rally around as a way of achieving temporary unity. We are experiencing social breakdown as we speak. Faith in government and religion is at an all time low as we see scandal after scandal. Then there are the scandals that are yet to be exposed, like the cult involvement we are not yet ready to talk about. Unfortunately, all that collective anxiety rises to the surface and manifests itself as hysteria over obesity, particuallary childhood obesity. (I think fat children are the targets because of all the ways we have hurt our children and refuse to admit it. Sadly, it is out of control fear by those leading the crusade that prevents them from looking at past mistakes and repeating the same old tired scare tactics again and again. Antifat crusaders are just as responsible for this alleged "obesity crisis" as any fast food company.
Ironically, in a few decades, we will probably have to worry about for shortage due to global warming. Food production is already down. I actually hope that I personally don't live along time because knowing what emotional torment these antifat crusaders are doing to children with their myopia makes me resent I have to share the planet with them. I do regret I won't get to laugh in their faces though and say I told you so when we finally break denial we have so many more urgent problems to worry about!
Sherie Sanders, MA (I took my name of my login because I send my students here sometimes and I don't want them to feel they have to agree with any of my opinions. But I stand by every word of the above!)
"Weight obsession is a social disease. If we cared more about CO2 than BMI there would still be time."
A Spin of the Day reader alerted us to other groups opposing the relicensing of Vermont Yankee, in addition to Nuclear Free Vermont:
Interesting that the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation can't find any
parallels between drug ads using emotional manipulation and the emotional blackmail so many antiobesity crusaders including themselves use. Wonder if it is because this foundation is so closely linked to "the family" company of Johnson and Johnson who makes equipment for bariatric surgery. $$$$$
"Weight obsession is a social disease. If we cared more about CO2 than BMI there would still be time."
Duke Power (now called [[Duke Energy]]) runs [:node/5477|nuclear power plants], in addition to [http://www.duke-energy.com/about/plants/ coal and natural gas] plants.
Perhaps the company's newfound concern about climate change is due to its recognition of [[Nuclear Energy Institute|the nuclear industry's]] success in [:prwissues/2005Q1/nuke2.html|touting nuclear power] as a way to [:node/4745|cut greenhouse gas emissions]?
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