Jim Crowell’s Post

"Why do we turn our anger inward and not outward at the main cause of the crisis?" The writer here is opening up an important discussion about agency, the psychology of obesity (and of GLP-1s), and our food system. She's talking about internalized shame. How can we as an industry understand our role in this? And then what can we do? We will see large numbers of GLP-1 patients coming into our gyms and studios. The way we see them will be an important determinant of their- and our- success. This is why the psychology of this issue is SO important for us to understand. #fitnessfranchise #wellnesstravel #wellbeing #wellbeingintheworkplace #FitnessForMentalHealth #fitnessindustry #glp1

So much talk of Obesity including the well-meaning advice given by people re diet, drugs, exercise as well as the fat-shaming. Actually "obesity should receive the same attention as hypertension, hypotension, and other disturbances of body metabolism. "Environmental factors that make people gain weight, like more tasty food being available, changes in the food supply, changing eating habits, less physical activity at work and in leisure time, taking medications that can make weight gain more likely.. changes in sleep patterns, have all contributed to and are keeping this epidemic going." "Poverty-stricken areas have much higher rates of obesity and other health problems linked to obesity. A (US) National Health Interview Survey study discovered that more negative social determinants related to health, such as unstable finances, a lack of community cohesion, insufficient food security, low educational attainment, and limited access to healthcare, were linked to higher obesity rates". What happens when the person is aware of their weight and can do little about it? "In psychology .... this a double bind situation, first hypothesized by Gregory Bateson. In other words, you create a situation where a person cannot access healthy and sufficient food, and they gain weight. Then you blame them for their weight gain, which you have created by your cultural norms and one-up, one-down life... (but) ... New discoveries in neuroscience have made it possible for scientists to look at how obesogenic foods, like fat and sugar, change the brain (there are) similarities between neuroplasticity resulting from food and neuroplasticity resulting from and reinforcing drug abuse. As a result, a new medical frame for obesity: an addiction to obesogenic foods. ... In both experimental and clinical settings, food addiction (FA) has drawn a great deal of interest. This theory states that some meals, particularly those high in palatability, rich in calories, or heavily processed, may encourage compulsive eating. Overall, research results from several studies confirm that food addiction is a distinct concept that meets the criteria for diagnosing other substance use disorders. Moreover, research points to a few items having the highest potential for addiction, especially processed foods with added fats and sweets." #health #obesity #foodaddiction #chronicdisease

I am thrilled to share that my letter to the editor, responding to an Oct. 9 editorial, “In the obesity fight, hope is growing,” was recently published in The Washington Post. In my response, I offered a more nuanced perspective on recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, revealing that while overall obesity rates may slightly decline, severe obesity has doubled since 2000. This rise—now affecting nearly 10 percent of Americans—carries serious health implications and considerable financial costs. The editorial credits new medications like Wegovy and Zepbound for slowing obesity rates. However, more than these drugs alone is needed, as they address symptoms rather than root causes. Patients often regain weight once treatment ends, making sustained use costly and untenable. The editorial also suggests obesity may have reached its “biological limit.” While intriguing, this theory risks oversimplifying the complex web of environmental, behavioral, and cultural factors driving rising rates of severe obesity. If anything, the rise in severe obesity suggests we are far from reaching any true “limit.” To read the full letter, click here: https://lnkd.in/eXDpQjsV Open, informed dialogue on these issues is essential for building effective, lasting solutions. I’m grateful for the chance to contribute to this critical conversation! #healthcare #obesity #publichealth #outsmartingobesity

"Each new year, millions of Americans resolve to lose weight. But the overwhelming majority of them will fail – and not due to a lack of willpower. Fortunately, we now have evidence-based medical interventions that can enable those with obesity to lose weight and improve their overall health. Large employers are now using...broadly accessible health platforms to promote dietary and lifestyle changes. These programs are already helping countless individuals across the country successfully attain a healthy weight." Read more in Medical Economics: https://lnkd.in/d2EGNf3P #welldoc #digitalhealth #obesity #glp1

We need to talk about it. About 1 out of 5 active duty members meet the clinical standard for obesity. According to the World Health Organization * Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. * In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight. Of these over 650 million were obese. - 39% of adults aged 18 years and over were overweight in 2016, and 13% were obese. * Most of the world's population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight. - 38 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2019. - Over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese in 2016. - By 2030 is it predicted that ~50% of the US adult population will be obese. #RealTalk As a fitness professional I need to clear up something. Below is a picture of an obese individual and a "normal" individual. 1) The word Obese does NOT mean ugly. Somehow in our day in age where everyone is offended by everything we forget obesity is a medical term used to define people with high levels of body fat. This word has no bearing on their worth, value, beauty, and appearance. Strictly medical terminology. 2) The vast majority of trainers or fit pros understand obesity is a complex issue. We are compassionate, care, and really want to help. We know change is not easy. 3) It is extremely important to realize high levels of fat are a seriously health problem. Look below at the obese individual and you can actually see the heart in-cased in a fat layer and stores of fat building up in the brain. We have to be honest with people because obesity kills. The number one cause of death in the world is cardiovascular disease. 4) When it comes to the human body there are NO perfect bodies or ideal weight and each body is beautiful whether it has stretch marks, rolls, bumps, curves, or scars. BUT we cannot "sugar-coat" people's health problems. 5) As a trainer I care so much about YOU I would rather save you from a heart attack, diabetes, surgery, or disease than be afraid of offending you. 6) I know how the internet works and can already hear people typing , BUT BUT what about BMI that’s a poor measurement, Dwayne the Rock Johnson would be obese according to BMI. Yes, it is flawed and some people will unfavorably be judged but at a population level with billions of data points BMI is actual a “valid” and potentially our only way to measure potential obesity rates. I mean we can’t take a DEXA scan house by house to get a gold standard assessment. 7) This is a social media post. That’s it. Not a master thesis or meta analysis. This cannot address every minor nuance and even begin to unwind the web of complexity that obesity has become in our modern society.

Obesity and the rhetoric of blame and victim shaming A very thoughtful article reminding us of this bastion of bias and stigma - blaming the patient, the individual despite and regardless of the basis of evidence that continues to emerge about obesity. Is this a preventable condition? would we hold the same degree of dismissal for other conditions and continue to offer discriminatory advice and thinly veiled suggestions of accountability and fault. This is a worthwhile read - at least consider where your unconscious bias and potential for assumptions might sit. https://lnkd.in/g8rsRfi9

How to Prevent Obesity? – 3 Effective Strategies Obesity is a pressing global health concern that impacts individuals of all ages and backgrounds. It goes beyond a mere aesthetic issue, delving into a complex medical ailment with far-reaching health consequences. In this comprehensive guide, we aim to unravel the intricate web of obesity by exploring its origins, effects on health, and effective solutions for prevention and management. By deeply understanding obesity, we can pave the path toward a healthier future. Key facts 1. As of 2022, one out of every eight individuals worldwide was affected by obesity. 2. Since 1990, the global rate of obesity among adults has more than doubled, and the rate among adolescents has increased fourfold. 3. In 2022, there were 2.5 billion overweight adults (aged 18 and above), including 890 million who were living with obesity. 4. By 2022, 43% of adults aged 18 and over were categorized as overweight, with 16% classified as obese. 5. In 2022, 37 million children younger than 5 years old were considered overweight. 6. More than 390 million children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 were overweight in 2022, with 160 million of them living with obesity. source WHO What is Obesity? Conclusion Obesity, a multifaceted condition with intricate causes and grave health repercussions, demands a holistic approach for effective management. Raising awareness, offering resources, and fostering communal support form the bedrock of combating obesity. Encourage those grappling with obesity to seek assistance and embark on the journey towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.

If you believed that obesity was merely about extra weight and appearance, it’s time for a reality check—it significantly shortens lifespan. Today, 1 in 8 people worldwide are battling obesity, with global adult rates having more than doubled since 1990. Even more concerning is the fourfold increase in adolescent obesity in the same period. These numbers represent a critical global health crisis that spans from North America to Southeast Asia. Why does this concern you? Whether you’re here for yourself or a loved one, the implications are profound and far-reaching. Discover the serious effects of obesity on lifespan and learn how to combat this issue effectively. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dSZ5fJmn #obesity #weightloss #ozempic #healthylifestyle #prevention #education

GLP1s are really successful to help start people's weight loss journey, I know, I have seen friends with great success! But...there is more to it than the first step. Addressing obesity as a health issue and covering any treatment must require an evidence based approach, according to an opinion piece published on Employee Benefit News. Learn more about an evidence-based approach to obesity treatment and coverage.