The worst pandemic facing America right now isn't COVID-19. It's obesity. Why that matters

J

Jeni

Senior Member
https://www.yahoo.com/news/worst-pandemic-facing-america-now-100727306.html
"With all the attention on the COVID-19 virus, what a fantastic, missed opportunity to parlay that into a focused campaign to educate the public about the risks associated with obesity. Not only COVID-19 but also the association with heart disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes, as described above.

So, how is obesity related to COVID? The latest research suggests that COVID infects stored body fat, and also infects immune cells that reside in body fat. The result is the potential for a strong inflammatory response that is very dangerous to health. What’s more, the COVID virus that hides in body fat is especially problematic when that body fat surrounds organs, such as the heart and the intestines, possibly leading to organ damage that has been observed in some COVID patients."

This was a big missed opportunity to deal with this issue a health care crisis for decades.
 

IF/When accurate statistics are released about those dying or seriously ill from Covid, I suspect that Obesity will be the biggest common denominator.

Data at the CDC indicates that at least 1/3rd of the nations health problems AND costs are associated with Obesity....and that has been true for the past several years,

There are a few people...very few...with some medical condition that affects their weight, but the vast majority are putting on excess weight due to poor eating habits, and lack of exercise.

I would like to see a substantial rise in insurance premiums for those who don't take better care of their health....much like the extra costs for smokers.
 

Well, most people know they are overweight when they are overweight. Beating it into their brains never helps. Not saying you're doing that, though. Some just think telling a person they are fat or to lose weight will miraculously cause them to lose it. There are many factors behind being overweight and everyone does what does or doesn't work for them.
 
dseag2 said:
Yes, I've mentioned in other threads that none of the health professionals have mentioned Covid morbidity rates due to obesity. It has been a "hands off" topic. :(
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Yes this was a significant problem the cdc director recently said 75% of deaths were OBESE.
No one wants to offend the body positive movement...... I also find it odd people call medical staff heros yet do not realize one of the top career risks is injury in lifting or having an obese patient fall on them. I have two friends permanently disabled and no longer working in health field from that.

This is a global pandemic but the US seems to take the position of well that is nice about studies done elsewhere but it is not REAL unless a US group spends money and time to replicate results.
Ruthanne said:
Well, most people know they are overweight when they are overweight. Beating it into their brains never helps. Not saying you're doing that, though. Some just think telling a person they are fat or to lose weight will miraculously cause them to lose it. There are many factors behind being overweight and everyone does what does or doesn't work for them.
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No one is beating that into their brains............ but if we are being honest about it ,, not just well it is OK

If they were communicating how big of a factor in deaths it would encourage them to make those changes ....

I am not suggesting forced or mandates like shots ................... but obesity is documented in 75% of deaths according to the CDC director
 
Jeni said:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/worst-pandemic-facing-america-now-100727306.html
"With all the attention on the COVID-19 virus, what a fantastic, missed opportunity to parlay that into a focused campaign to educate the public about the risks associated with obesity. Not only COVID-19 but also the association with heart disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes, as described above.

So, how is obesity related to COVID? The latest research suggests that COVID infects stored body fat, and also infects immune cells that reside in body fat. The result is the potential for a strong inflammatory response that is very dangerous to health. What’s more, the COVID virus that hides in body fat is especially problematic when that body fat surrounds organs, such as the heart and the intestines, possibly leading to organ damage that has been observed in some COVID patients."

This was a big missed opportunity to deal with this issue a health care crisis for decades.
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So you're trying to tell me that just a little while ago, at almost 10:00 in the evening, I should not have eaten that burrito? Damn. Too late. :ROFLMAO:
 
Ruthanne said:
Well, most people know they are overweight when they are overweight. Beating it into their brains never helps. Not saying you're doing that, though. Some just think telling a person they are fat or to lose weight will miraculously cause them to lose it. There are many factors behind being overweight and everyone does what does or doesn't work for them.
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I think you're right in that there are other factors. Some people drink to numb the pain of being alive, some people eat fatty foods, which stimulates the release of endorphins and numbs the pain, some people do drugs... If there was only something to make life less painful without having to resort to overeating or doing drugs. It's hard to change humanity, though, and it's humanity that sucks.
 
'If we were able to effectively combat obesity, we would save countless lives, and improve the quality of life for millions more. But to move in this direction, the public must be educated about: (1) the many health risks associated with obesity, and (2) the fact that obesity destroys health without creating any symptoms along the way. This would help reduce the sense of smugness among the obese that all is well, when, in fact, disaster may be creeping ever closer, day by day.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/worst-pandemic-facing-america-now-100727306.html

Everyday I hear about cost of un -vaccinated........... but OBESITY had been a MAIN cost driver for DECADES.

We hear of community and responsibility ......but NO one or very few speak up about obese.....
 
The most important thing is how well people do or don't take care of themselves, not a virus.
For an obvious example, flies and other insects are attracted to waste, but they are not the cause of the waste.

When people booze, smoke, eat terrible food, use drugs, don't exercise, and have poor sleeping habits, those are the things that are bad for their health. People shouldn't try to blame something else, or someone else, when THEY are the cause of their problems.

When the system is run down by bad habits and poisons, that is what destroys the tissues of the body, not a germ or a virus.
 
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Preaching at me and punishing me for smoking didn't do anything to help me quit.

Preaching at me and punishing me for being fat won't do anything to help me lose weight.

If anything, it will only help to isolate me from those people in our society that have no vices, emotional, or health-related issues of their own to occupy their time.

I do believe that proper nutrition, exercise, health, counseling, etc... should all be a regular part of an age-appropriate k-12 public education system.

IMO all we can or should do to help anyone with an emotional or health issue is to provide the information, tools, treatment, and support that may allow them to resolve/manage their own issues.
 
What I find a bit disturbing is the number of our younger people who are substantially overweight. Kids used to be quite active, and burn off their calories....but now, they seem to spend much of their time sitting around with their cell phones, or watching TV....and it's starting to show.

We have a lovely Great Granddaughter who is a bit overweight....due to her sitting around a lot. Last Fall, we attended her 16th birthday party, and she had several of her friends at the party. Virtually everyone of them was obviously overweight, and one of the girls was at least 100lbs overweight....when she walked across the room, you could feel the floor "flexing". I can just imagine the health problems these kids are going to have as they grow older....IF they don't change their habits.
 
Jeni said:
'If we were able to effectively combat obesity, we would save countless lives, and improve the quality of life for millions more. But to move in this direction, the public must be educated about: (1) the many health risks associated with obesity, and (2) the fact that obesity destroys health without creating any symptoms along the way. This would help reduce the sense of smugness among the obese that all is well, when, in fact, disaster may be creeping ever closer, day by day.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/worst-pandemic-facing-america-now-100727306.html

Everyday I hear about cost of un -vaccinated........... but OBESITY had been a MAIN cost driver for DECADES.

We hear of community and responsibility ......but NO one or very few speak up about obese.....
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Speaking up about obesity isn't "correct." Besides, it won't sell vaccines.
 
Don M. said:
What I find a bit disturbing is the number of our younger people who are substantially overweight. Kids used to be quite active, and burn off their calories....but now, they seem to spend much of their time sitting around with their cell phones, or watching TV....and it's starting to show.

We have a lovely Great Granddaughter who is a bit overweight....due to her sitting around a lot. Last Fall, we attended her 16th birthday party, and she had several of her friends at the party. Virtually everyone of them was obviously overweight, and one of the girls was at least 100lbs overweight....when she walked across the room, you could feel the floor "flexing". I can just imagine the health problems these kids are going to have as they grow older....IF they don't change their habits.
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In addition to diet & activity, I think there is a genetic predisposition to obesity that is passed down from obese parents.
Maybe excess fat cells passed down.
I often see overweight parents with overweight kids. I was one.
 
Excellent topic here and very true. Yes, the politically correct who are afraid to say it refuse to admit that being overweight shortens your life. Being fat means that your resistance to the Covid virus is very low and so you get sick. Wish they wouldn't punish the rest of us who do exercise, eat well and live positively.
 
win231 said:
In addition to diet & activity, I think there is a genetic predisposition to obesity that is passed down from obese parents.
Maybe excess fat cells passed down.
I often see overweight parents with overweight kids. I was one.
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I was going to reply to a few of the other posts, but will jump in here.
You may have a valid point re: genetic predisposition, but there could be another factor involved: if a person sees everyone around is obese, and/or has poor eating habits, etc., it's easy for the person to believe it's normal.
 
JaniceM said:
I was going to reply to a few of the other posts, but will jump in here.
You may have a valid point re: genetic predisposition, but there could be another factor involved: if a person sees everyone around is obese, and/or has poor eating habits, etc., it's easy for the person to believe it's normal.
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Yes, I think that's why there are more overweight people in TV commercials & shows - to "Normalize" obesity & make it seem more accepted.
 
Jeni said:
"With all the attention on the COVID-19 virus, what a fantastic, missed opportunity to parlay that into a focused campaign to educate the public about the risks associated with obesity. Not only COVID-19 but also the association with heart disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes
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This is a really good point. I didn't really understand the connection before @Jeni thanks for that!

However even without Covid obesity kills millions, more than Covid ever will. Sure wish we had an obesity vaccine...
 
win231 said:
Yes, I think that's why there are more overweight people in TV commercials & shows - to "Normalize" obesity & make it seem more accepted.
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Agreed.
Like those t.v. ads and websites that say 'This is what REAL women look like!' probably resulting in bunches of young kids thinking they won't be 'real women' unless they weigh over 300 pounds.
The over-emphasis on thinness decades ago was bad enough.. but this is worse.
 
When the kids were home, I was very thin, and stayed thin for many years. Then of course I started to put on a little weight until I was about 65 then I blossomed into a fat old lady.
 
Don M. said:
What I find a bit disturbing is the number of our younger people who are substantially overweight. Kids used to be quite active, and burn off their calories....but now, they seem to spend much of their time sitting around with their cell phones, or watching TV....and it's starting to show.

We have a lovely Great Granddaughter who is a bit overweight....due to her sitting around a lot. Last Fall, we attended her 16th birthday party, and she had several of her friends at the party. Virtually everyone of them was obviously overweight, and one of the girls was at least 100lbs overweight....when she walked across the room, you could feel the floor "flexing". I can just imagine the health problems these kids are going to have as they grow older....IF they don't change their habits.
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It is very sad when you see obesity in the kids and young adults.
i went to a grade school event for granddaughter and wanted to cry for some of these kids i saw very over weight as young as kindergarten.

The damage is life long and slow progressing ...
I am not preaching as i too could lose a few myself. Just was a article i thought would inspire conversation.

It seems hypocritical to me that so many would like to dictate behavior or choices for others during covid ......
but say NOTHING about this subject a PROVEN factor in a bad outcome of this virus.
 
Alligatorob said:
This is a really good point. I didn't really understand the connection before @Jeni thanks for that!

However even without Covid obesity kills millions, more than Covid ever will. Sure wish we had an obesity vaccine...
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I agree ... just this was a perfect time to readdress the obesity conversation....
I think the push by so many to say it is fine ... is a serious disservice for many......

It is hard to change eating habits or exercise routines but the significant rate associated with this virus death you would think more medical experts say something.
but you can hear crickets ......cause no one wants to say anything they might get backlash on twitter or Facebook .......
 
Jeni said:
I agree ... just this was a perfect time to readdress the obesity conversation....
I think the push by so many to say it is fine ... is a serious disservice for many......

It is hard to change eating habits or exercise routines but the significant rate associated with this virus death you would think more medical experts say something.
but you can hear crickets ......cause no one wants to say anything they might get backlash on twitter or Facebook .......
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Absolutely!

We do a poor job of prioritizing risks, and relatively obesity is much worse than Covid. Not that we should ignore Covid, we just need to put it in perspective...
 
Jeni said:
The worst pandemic facing America right now isn't COVID-19. It's obesity. Why that matters

This was a big missed opportunity to deal with this issue a health care crisis for decades.
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Informing the public about the dangers of smoking, and taking steps to discourage tobacco use were monumental tasks. It took decades to show results, the tobacco producers are still getting their products into the public's hands.The fast food industry / processed food manufacturers are impacting the public's health in a similar fashion. Diseases resulting from metabolic syndrome are mostly preventable, and even to some degree reversible, with dietary changes. But EATING is a strong, natural urge, it will take serious educational effort to combat the strangle-hold that the food industry has on America's dining habits.
 

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