Reply #96: Mention.

[Snow]

This gives me an opportunity to point up a bit more in the way of genetic predispositions. A lot of native americans, especially the southwestern tribes, and especially the Pimas, have a metabolism that is absolutely wonderful at conserving calories in a sparse landscape. Their bodies can really get the most out of times of lean food supply, and store away good harvests and hunts very effectively. Now, take these people and put them on an american suburban diet, white bread and so on, and they have the highest rates of type 2 diabetes on the planet! So what you all are observing in the way of american being fatter than people in other countries is a valid observation - but really doesn't get at causes, because you seem to be saying americans eat too much, or eat wrong.

In partial response to those of you angry at Karl for his intolerance, I think he was honestly raising a question, perhaps in some despair. (I always like to think the best of people). So, while we've helped to educate him, I think, all of you should realize by now that we really don't understand beans about the causes of obesity. And a large part of the reason we don't understand it is that we in the medical establishment have assumed we understood it - we think the slobs eat too much & don't exercise enough - and if we can just get them to quit doing that, the obesity will go away. As long as we cling to this model, we're not going to make any progress, and I can tell you as a medical researcher interested in this, it's really frustrating. We need a paradigm shift, and it's just not happening yet.