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Most of us have heard that the definition of insanity is doing something the same way over and over again all the while expecting a different result.
Adolescent obesity – once rare and uncommon is now not only common, but escalating. What we've been recommending for over a decade now to combat this epidemic is to eat a low fat/lower calorie diet and do more exercise. And that is precisely what many experts continue to recommend to this day.
It's not working.
Regardless, the same approach continues to be hammered home by health care professional and famous talk show hosts. The 'less calories in / more calories out' approach has become so ingrained into our societies thought process that alternative solutions are never considered. Far worse, alternative solutions are strongly shunned even when legitimate scientific research shows how effective they are.
The inability to think differently on a subject even in the face of scientific evidence (think Galileo) is commonly referred to as a 'paradigm paralysis.' The longer we remain paralyzed on the issue of adolescent obesity, the longer our children will suffer. Allowing children to needlessly suffer is criminal at best and at worst – I honestly have no word for it.
Obesity is an outcome of excess fat accumulation. What this means is, the obese person's body is storing more fat from the calories they are eating than a non obese person. But why? We know that the hormone needed to store body fat is insulin. In fact, it is one of insulins primary jobs. High carbohydrate diets cause large releases in insulin which sets up the scene for excess body fat storage. Fat does not. This is a fact of science – we don't get to vote.
Children today, thanks to the low fat approach to dieting supported by the ADA, AMA, RDA and other health organizations have shifted caloric intake towards more (a lot more) carbohydrate. Children are taught to fear bacon and eggs and opt instead for a bowl of breakfast cereal with skim milk, toast, a glass of OJ and a banana. This breakfast will spill over 70 times the amount of sugar a child needs to keeps her blood sugar normal. Bear in mind this is just breakfast. And we wonder why our children are becoming obese at an alarming rate?
If we really care about our children – if we really love them – we will snap out of our paralysis and instead embrace what research and basic biochemistry have been screaming at us for years – eat less carbohydrates and engage in exercises that build lean tissue, not burn calories.
Anything else is insanity.
I've been involved in exercise ever since I became a member of The Charles Atlas Club when I was 10 years old. In 1998, I founded and established Serious Strength on the Upper West Side of NYC. My clients include kids, seniors (and everyone in between), top CEOs, celebrities, bestselling authors, journalists and TV personalities.
Strong Kids Healthy Kids
Euphoria Olive Oil
Gary Taubes: Why We Get Fat
Michael & MaryDan Eades M.D.: Protein Power Lifeplan
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
i agree – it is extremely difficult – if not impossible – to get any health care worker (with the best intentions) to see a different solution.
what when the child/teenager is naturally thin and wirey dispite carb consumption? would you still recommend cutting carbs?
Yes I do because most grains and refined carbs are inflammatory and unhealthy. Kids who eat a lot of junk and stay lean are lucky but it is still unhealthy. Like people who smoke and don’t get lung cancer – it is still bad news for the body.
From my understanding of the literature on the subject, grain is more evil than people believe fat is.
I’ve welcomed the new calorie labeling in deciding what to buy fast food places. It instantly reveals what I could only guess before and I’ve been surprised how misguided some of my guesses were. Who would have thought a smallish carrot muffin could be so calorie-heavy?
It’s the sugar/carbs not the calories.
The same can be said for our seniors. I have a disabled sister who lives in an assisted-living facility for seniors. She’s 5′2″ and now weighs 258 pounds. I’ve asked them to give her low-carb meals, but their policy is to NOT serve special diets.
They insist their food is not high carb, yet they serve breakfasts similar to your example (cereal, skim milk, 2 slices of toast with jam, orange juice, and fruited yogurt). Lunch is a sandwich, chips, soda, and dessert. Dinner is a small portion of meat (like chicken fingers, with lots of breading), fries, corn, a roll, and dessert.
They say she’s gotten so heavy because she’s in a wheelchair and not as active as she once was. Hogwash!
It’s criminal.
Hi Kathy – don’t ask for low carb for your sister – ask for meat and vegetables that’s all.
Of course they divert the blame. But truth be told, they more than likely haven’t got a clue.
Paradigm paralysis is a great term for it. The high carb/low fat paradigm is very deeply imbedded in our culture. So hats off to those who are trying to bring truth to the masses! Nice work Fred!
In health
Brandon Schultz, D.C.
Thanks Doc!
Fred, I agree with you about the high carb culture in out medical communities; especially amongst dieticians who recommend a 60% carbohydrate diet for people with diabetes. However, I think that its egotistical to compare yourself to Galileo. I know that you’ll say you’re not making that comparison, but why bring it up if thats not your aim?
What you say about our love affair with carbs is true! And what you say about paradigm paralysis is true as well. But, you’re as much an example of paradigm paralysis as those you criticize. It’s a shame that you can’t see this. You’re a great writer.
I brought it up because I was forced to. Why make more of the statement than necessary? Clearly I do not put myself in the league of Gallieo or even remotely close. The point was many people buck the system – go completely against the common paradigms and are spot on correct. That’s it!
Q: What paradigm am I paralyzed by? I am sincerely curious Chad.