3 ms·

In this case, that sounds like a distinction without a difference: Persisting in a smoking addiction (condition) is as bad as persisting in obesity (condition.

by bloaf 12y ago

In this case, that sounds like a distinction without a difference: Persisting in a smoking addiction (condition) is as bad as persisting in obesity (condition.) Regularly smoking (action) is as bad as regularly eating too much (action.) Edit: It is because in both cases, persisting in the condition requires the action.

dragonwriter 12y ago
The difference is critical because people often attempt to change action specifically to correct the condition of obesity without success -- there is lots of inaccurate, overgeneralized, false, harmful, and otherwise not-helpful information available on fitness and health issues. People may remain obese while actively choosing to take action to address that condition. It is a mistake to equate remaining obese with persisting in anything.
- bloaf 12y ago
  People attempt to cure their cancer with homeopathy, and I have very little respect for them as well. I'm sure that there are plenty of websites and magazines dedicated both bad weight loss advice and homeopathy, but I am quite confident that the medical community is clear and consistent on both issues. If people choose to ignore their doctors' advice, I have a hard time explaining away their decision. Also, as I mentioned before, remaining obese requires that someone continue to overeat. In discussions like this, people often harp on this point: if someone wants to lose weight, they need to eat fewer calories. Full stop; it is not an over-generalization or inaccurate point. I view people who bring up mental health issues and differences in metabolism as part of the problem, rather than the solution. It is though they are deliberately trying to make the weight loss process seem more complicated than it really is. I am fully willing to admit that people have differences in metabolism such that some need to eat less than others. I know that mental health issues might need to be treated in order to make it easier for someone to stick to a diet. Neither of these things change the fact that persisting in obesity implies that someone is continuing to eat too much. We could make the exact same arguments about smoking. You might say that people don't have access to the info they need to quit. I am saying that the very simple way to quit is to smoke less (i.e. not at all.) It is true that there may be unique impediments in each person's quitting process, but I have no doubt that simply by listening to their doctor, they can overcoming them.
  - DanBC 12y ago
    "Obese people eat too much - they should eat less and they will lose weight" is true but pointless. Obviously people eat too much. But knowing that does not help them stop eating too much. Most people do not like being overweight; many overweight people are miserable because of their excess weight. Society is judgemental about obesity. Job prospects are worse. Life expectancy is worse. Being obese is expensive. There are so many negatives to being obese, and the answer is a simple "eat less" - so why does that simple answer fail for so many people?

by bloaf 12y ago

dragonwriter 12y ago

The difference is critical because people often attempt to change action specifically to correct the condition of obesity without success -- there is lots of inaccurate, overgeneralized, false, harmful, and otherwise not-helpful information available on fitness and health issues. People may remain obese while actively choosing to take action to address that condition. It is a mistake to equate remaining obese with persisting in anything.

bloaf 12y ago
People attempt to cure their cancer with homeopathy, and I have very little respect for them as well. I'm sure that there are plenty of websites and magazines dedicated both bad weight loss advice and homeopathy, but I am quite confident that the medical community is clear and consistent on both issues. If people choose to ignore their doctors' advice, I have a hard time explaining away their decision. Also, as I mentioned before, remaining obese requires that someone continue to overeat. In discussions like this, people often harp on this point: if someone wants to lose weight, they need to eat fewer calories. Full stop; it is not an over-generalization or inaccurate point. I view people who bring up mental health issues and differences in metabolism as part of the problem, rather than the solution. It is though they are deliberately trying to make the weight loss process seem more complicated than it really is. I am fully willing to admit that people have differences in metabolism such that some need to eat less than others. I know that mental health issues might need to be treated in order to make it easier for someone to stick to a diet. Neither of these things change the fact that persisting in obesity implies that someone is continuing to eat too much. We could make the exact same arguments about smoking. You might say that people don't have access to the info they need to quit. I am saying that the very simple way to quit is to smoke less (i.e. not at all.) It is true that there may be unique impediments in each person's quitting process, but I have no doubt that simply by listening to their doctor, they can overcoming them.
- DanBC 12y ago
  "Obese people eat too much - they should eat less and they will lose weight" is true but pointless. Obviously people eat too much. But knowing that does not help them stop eating too much. Most people do not like being overweight; many overweight people are miserable because of their excess weight. Society is judgemental about obesity. Job prospects are worse. Life expectancy is worse. Being obese is expensive. There are so many negatives to being obese, and the answer is a simple "eat less" - so why does that simple answer fail for so many people?