My daughter and I revisited the obesity statistics. The research is totally inadequate. The existing published research continues to offer no information except that every demographic category is increasing in weight and that bariatric cases are dying rapidly and at an earlier age.
I have stated that obesity is a problem of personal control, like credit, because the only people not gaining weight are yuppies (not a demographic category). My daughter added an additional important point. She points out that it is nearly impossible to lose weight so the problem becomes one of not gaining weight. That is a personal control issue. You have to not gain weight.
The recent Dr. Phil tv series had a dozen people who were carefully chosen to lose weight under strict supervision. The project was duplicated at most local stations too. Everyone involved did their exercise and all were under horrific social pressure to eat right. This project was structured to produce guaranteed results. Result:
Two out of twelve lost significant weight. What Dr. Phil had was a colossal failure. Those two who lost weight might not even keep the weight off for a year.
My daughter is right, you can’t put on weight in the first place.