No question about it. I happen to think that the current weight issues have much more to do with changes in activity level vs. people becoming “weak” or whatever you think it is.
In short, the Amish, who are very active, carry a gene that predisposes people to obesity at the same rate as the general population. However, the ones carrying the gene are generally not obese. The hypothesis is that somehow the activity counteracts whatever the gene is doing.
Something like working dogs – if they don’t get exercise, they can get mean. Maybe in humans a lack of exercise results in overeating.
I attribute very little to free will. People are driven by millions of years of genetic selection. The environment has changed (and I don’t mean that in the trees and rivers sense) and it has resulted in, among other things, an obesity epidemic. Pima tribe is a perfect example.
And here is the conclusion: The high prevalence of obesity and NIDDM in the Pima Indian community might be the consequence of a “thrifty genotype.” The increasing evidence that obesity cannot always be attributed to gluttony and sloth forces us to consider obesity as a “real metabolic disease” that needs to be treated as such, using new behavioral and pharmacological therapies.[/quote]
Totally agree with you, njtosd. It’s simplistic and ignorant to assume that all people need to do to stay slim is eat well and exercise. That might work for some (even most people), but it doesn’t work for others.
Brian, as far as the pharmaceutical solution, speed increases metabolism while also suppressing appetite. IMO, those whose bodies are genetically predisposed to store calories are probably getting to what you feel is “normal,” with respect to energy and appetite, when they take speed. I believe that those who store food and lack energy (because the calories are not converted easily to kinetic energy) could greatly benefit from pharmaceuticals, and I’m one who tends to stay away from medicines as much as possible.
