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"simply avoid overeating" has the same ring of "simply stop being depressed" People are a lot more complicated than that, and a persons diet is anything but si

"simply avoid overeating" has the same ring of "simply stop being depressed" People are a lot more complicated than that, and a persons diet is anything but simple.

beebeepka 3y ago
What is so complicated about it? Now, it obviously is hard for those who like to indulge themselves too much, but it is pretty much the exact opposite of complicated.
- Jochim 3y ago
  It's complicated because it's generally a symptom of deeper issues related to circumstance e.g. mental health, price, time, availability etc. Solving poverty is also not very complicated when reduced down to "just have more money". That might be a useful starting point but it's worthless in practical terms.
  - beebeepka 3y ago
    I am reducing overeating down from what, life itself? I disagree that leading with "reduce consumption, if possible" is impractical when we're trying to address the results of calorie intake
    - Jochim 3y ago
      > I disagree that leading with "reduce consumption, if possible" is impractical when we're trying to address the results of calorie intake We do lead with "Reduce consumption, if possible". The point isn't that it's impractical but rather that stopping there is woefully ineffective. We've never had more visibility into calories consumed; yet we're still seeing rising levels of obesity. If we actually want to reduce obesity then we need to identify and address the reasons that cause people to overeat. That's what makes the reductive view of "calories in, calories out" counter-productive.
Panzer04 3y ago
The value in the perspective comes from realising what you're actually aiming for. Generally speaking, I don't think there's much evidence in that "healthy" foods are strictly better for you than processed food, beyond the idea you don't get as many calories from them so it's harder to overeat. It's nontrivial to simply "eat less", I agree, but knowing that's the core goal (or more accurately, reducing caloric intake) has value when you're trying to decide how to resolve an obesity problem.

"simply avoid overeating" has the same ring of "simply stop being depressed" People are a lot more complicated than that, and a persons diet is anything but simple.

beebeepka 3y ago

What is so complicated about it? Now, it obviously is hard for those who like to indulge themselves too much, but it is pretty much the exact opposite of complicated.

Jochim 3y ago
It's complicated because it's generally a symptom of deeper issues related to circumstance e.g. mental health, price, time, availability etc. Solving poverty is also not very complicated when reduced down to "just have more money". That might be a useful starting point but it's worthless in practical terms.
- beebeepka 3y ago
  I am reducing overeating down from what, life itself? I disagree that leading with "reduce consumption, if possible" is impractical when we're trying to address the results of calorie intake
  - Jochim 3y ago
    > I disagree that leading with "reduce consumption, if possible" is impractical when we're trying to address the results of calorie intake We do lead with "Reduce consumption, if possible". The point isn't that it's impractical but rather that stopping there is woefully ineffective. We've never had more visibility into calories consumed; yet we're still seeing rising levels of obesity. If we actually want to reduce obesity then we need to identify and address the reasons that cause people to overeat. That's what makes the reductive view of "calories in, calories out" counter-productive.

Panzer04 3y ago

The value in the perspective comes from realising what you're actually aiming for. Generally speaking, I don't think there's much evidence in that "healthy" foods are strictly better for you than processed food, beyond the idea you don't get as many calories from them so it's harder to overeat. It's nontrivial to simply "eat less", I agree, but knowing that's the core goal (or more accurately, reducing caloric intake) has value when you're trying to decide how to resolve an obesity problem.