what is beauty?

Most of us know that photoshopping is standard in the modeling industry - but do we know to what extent? 




Does this change your perception about our standard of beauty?

obese monkeys to discover magic weight loss pill?

I read the article, "Monkeys Fattened Up to Study Human Obesity" in the New York times

and I have to tell you that I am a little fired up.  

The article discusses how monkeys are being exposed to conditions that lead to obesity 

(basically the "American lifestyle" - too many calories, sugary and fatty foods, and little exercise)

with the intent of then doing trials of diet drugs to find their effectiveness

Now, for full disclosure: I support research on animals because I think it is important for scientific discovery (AIDS, cancer, and a myriad of other research is vital!)

But I find this situation to be reprehensible: 

pharmaceutical companies funding this research in order to develop the "magic weight loss pill" to make a profit

News flash!

we already have our magic solution: eat healthy, don't overindulge, and be active! 

it's hard.  it takes time. it is the only way. 

Developing the magic weight loss pill aside, I do see that there may be ways this research can help us improve our food systems and understanding of behaviors related to obesity. 

for example, "Dr. Grove and researchers at some other centers say the high-fructose corn syrup appears to accelerate the development of obesity and diabetes." 

Some studies found that this type of diet impacted the developing brains of the fetuses in pregnant monkeys and also lead to offspring with metabolic problems

results also indicated that the diet of the mother during pregnancy, 

"matters more than whether she is obese"

interesting findings, and important for 

helping us connect a desire to be healthy with other values

such as supporting the health and development of our children

and making sure food is safe

it is also an opportunity to think about larger social issues, 

such as the implications of the lack of access to healthy food in low-income communities, where mothers may not have access to nutritious food during pregnancy

All that said, 

I still believe that subjecting animals to these unnatural conditions for the specific goal of finding a quick fix drug (rather than taking responsibility for our own health) 

is an unprecedented low

nyc health department anti-soda campaign

The New York City Health Department recently started a campaign to educate the public about the health impacts of drinking sweetened drinks.

Through the campaign they ask, "Are you pouring on the pounds?"

To me this is a powerful and necessary campaign. What do you think?

is BMI bs?

Well to that I would answer yes...and no.


Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure used as a screening tool to indicate a healthy range for weight vs height for an average adult.  It is controversial because adults who we might generally think of as normal size will often register as "overweight" because the calculator does not take into account frame size, muscle mass, and changes in body composition with age.  BMI was not developed with the intention of being used as widely as it has in the health field (see this interesting article, thanks to a fellow blogger), and there are more accurate indicators of healthy weight status.  In short, it is not perfect and certainly should not be the only factor used to determine health status.


With that said, let's ask ourselves: why does this matter?  


One reason is somewhat obvious: being categorized as overweight or obese by a generic "one size fits all" tool feels...well, bad.  Especially when BMI puts what is now the average American into these categories (and let's just be honest - the average American isn't in this category because of high muscle mass).


Yet, researchers who use this tool are not using this to measure your "hotness".  They are trying to understand risk factors for diseases related to being overweight, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, certain cancers, and more.  What studies do show is that higher BMI's, despite the many variables, are linked with health risks.  


Are you looking at BMI as a measure of how thin you are, or as a measure of your health? You know your body, you know how you feel and you know if you are living the lifestyle that keeps your body at its best.  Someone "20 lbs overweight" by whichever medical standard who exercises regularly; eats ample fruits,vegetables and whole grains; drinks plenty of water; and gets enough rest is arguably in much better health than a "thinner" person who does not do these things.  


Your "BMI status" might not be accurate...but in many ways that really does not matter.  What does matter is your health, your energy level, your perception of yourself, and your happiness.  So I would ask: how do you feel about these things? 

healthy or obsession?

This morning I heard this great story on NPR's Weekday called Body Obsessions, which asked the question: When is body-consciousness healthy, and when does it become an obsession?

This has me worrying about how altered perceptions are of what a healthy, normal person looks like.

I was recently reading in a trashy mag about how Gwyneth Paltrow has early signs of osteoporosis, and what a shock this was to everyone. I can't be the only person who has ever noticed that she weighs practically nothing (110 lbs at 5'9" one website says). And, she is known for sharing weight loss tips - in the issue following her osteopenia announcement was a spotlight on the master cleanse she does to drop pounds. A woman so thin, with a history of extreme dieting...is it any wonder that she would have a medical condition related to lack of calcium and vitamin D?

The normalcy that has been created around extreme thinness and the culture of dieting is disturbing. It is a complex issue, and also heartbreaking. I would like very much for us to break this cycle for future generations. Can we please start appreciating the many shapes and sizes we come in? And stop publishing the "lose weight quick" trick of the month instead of focusing on what being healthy really means? Maybe once we learn to honor and listen to our bodies we can be lead naturally to our healthiest selves.