Re: responses to my earlier Oprah post

[Guest guest]

It's been interesting since I sent in that earlier post. I've actually

received phone calls! From people who chose not to write but wanted to let me

know

that they " enjoyed " my post. More than one person called. I gotta say that

those people got it...Yes, I was trying to make light of a very heavy (and that

is not a pun!) issue to get your attention.

I know that sometimes I write " inflammatory " things but it's because I want

to shake up everyone's thinking a little. And I learn a little each time from

some of the very thoughtful responses that people post.

I got into dietetics because I liked food. It was a long time ago...before

women worked in kitchens. Before women could go to culinary school. So I became

a dietitian so I could learn about food. You might say that I am obsessed

with food and that includes eating it. Guilty.

I sent the link and the story because I wanted everyone to think a little

bit about how they treat their patients who have weight issues especially those

who have trouble maintaining their weight loss. As I said in the original

post, if Oprah, with all of her money and opportunity for support, is having

trouble then I wanted all us dietitians to be aware that this is more than just

about willpower or knowing right from wrong or wanting it.

I guess the way people sometimes talk about losing weight reminds me of the

way this country once tried to attack drug use by young people. Remember the

" Just say no " campaign???

So I think we've reduced the obesity issue to " just exercise more and eat

less " . Sorry folks. That message isn't working any more than " just say no "

worked.

Per some of the responses I've received both privately and to the lists: I

don't know if some fat people are displaying addictive personality

characteristics or if compulsive eating is part of the problem or what. I wasn't

trying

to diagnose. I was just trying to elucidate. Although I do appreciate the

response about addictions.

So many journal articles refer to obesity as " multifactorial " and then go on

to talk about eating less and exercising more. That's not multifactorial

enough for me nor is it individualizing treatment to use that model.

Anyway, I'm going to the gym to exercise more and then I will come home to

eat less. And to accomplish the eating less, I will cook my own dinner from

scratch because I think that's one of the missing components in this global

issue.

That's the best I can do!

Have a wonderful evening.

Sharon Salomon, M.S., R.D.

1924 East Flynn Lane

Phoenix, AZ

_http://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonsalomon_

(http://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonsalomon)

http://diaryofadietingdietitian.blogspot.com

**************Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and

favorite sites in one place. Try it now.

(http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp & icid=aolcom40vanity & ncid=emlcntaolcom00000010)