Reply #97: Actually, I'm probably not an outlier.

[distantearlywarning]

At least by the standard definition of that term. What I am is at the end of a curve, and there are many others out there with me. If you happen to be at the center of that curve, good for you. But your experience doesn't necessarily translate to those of us in the 2nd or 3rd standard deviation, and you can't make it so no matter how much you argue with, denigrate, or ridicule your opponents.

I have hypothyroidism (along with perhaps as many as 20% of American women), which means that *for me*, dieting doesn't help me lose weight as it might for the other 80%.

Hypothyroidism is but one small cause of obesity in America, and it is a cause that I happen to care about a lot having experienced its effects first hand.

However, there are other conditions that could contribute to difficulty losing weight under the "3500 calories = 1 lb" rule, such as differences in genetic makeup, viruses (which I believe was discussed up-thread or in another thread), other metabolic disorders, and medication use (including many anti-depressants, which are among the most common medications prescribed in our society). How many fat people in America fall into one of these categories? I'm guessing more than just an "outlier" or two.

There are also environmental and social factors that have changed our society since the 1970's, not the least of which is the addition of high fructose corn syrup to many of our foods, including staples like bread, vegetable soup, canned beans and so forth. Social norms about the safety of children while playing outside have changed, people work longer hours now, both members of a family work, people living in urban areas have little access to safe places to exercise or grocery stores, the list is pretty much endless. These people might be able to lose weight following a reasonable diet, but their lifestyles aren't conducive to making that easy or even possible at all in some cases. How many people in America are affected by one or more of these factors?

AND YET...all of the posts in threads like these focus on one thing only - food in vs. calories burned, and the individual's personal responsibility for that relationship. People like you NEVER bother discussing any of the myriad of things in our culture that could be causing a rise in obesity in the last 20 years or any of the problems that an individual might have that contribute to their own personal problems with weight, you only focus on "eat smaller portions, don't be such a lazy-ass". It's totally trite advice and not helpful. And yes, it's smug and superior.

Frankly, it reminds me of the arguments the Repukes use about welfare and poor people. They have it in their tiny little pinheads that EVERY SINGLE PERSON who is poor or sick got that way on their own and if they just pulled a little on their bootstraps they'd be millionaires in no time. And they never like to hear about any of the problems in our society that might be contributing to across-the-board social issues, preferring instead to call anyone who disagrees with them a "whiner" or insinuate that they are somehow making themselves into victims.

It's not a very progressive viewpoint, whether you're talking about poor or fat or sick or whatever. Open your mind, dude, and try to accept that maybe things aren't quite as easy for everyone else as they are for you.