Back off!

Here's an interesting story on the New York Times' website tackling the "culture of shame and accusation" surrounding obesity. I find it amusing that in an age in which we are sensitive to race, ethnicity and orientation, we still get a kick out of making fun of fat people and generally making them feel even worse about themselves. As a formerly obese person, I can tell you this with absolute certainty -- overweight people know they are fat. Trust me on this. You don't need to tell them. It's the same as going to an amputee and saying, "hey, do you know you're missing an arm?" And here's another fact you can take to the bank: If it were easy to lose weight, people wouldn't be obese. There's a lot more than diet and exercise to consider; there's a deep psychology surrounding one's self image that's is intrinsically linked to obesity. Some people become fat to shield themselves and to support a negative self image. So, skinny people of the world, have a heart. Tell the obese people in your life that you love them the way they are. I guarantee that this approach will encourage someone to lose weight and get healthier. Oh, and one more thing, should that obese loved one drop 50-60 pounds, don't condescendingly say, "you look so much better!" You think?

A toast to the fuel-efficient body!

This, from today's Los Angeles Times:

The average American walks about 900 miles a year, according to a Harvard study. And the average American drinks 22 gallons of alcohol a year, the American Medical Assn. says. Concludes Jack Finarelli of SportsCurmudgeon.com: "This means, on average, Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon. Kind of makes you proud to be an American."

More good news about your heart!

Here's an uplifting story telling us that damage leading to heart disease begins early in life. Which makes me wonder ... if EVERYTHING we do hurts our body in one way or another, why are Americans living longer, healthier lives? Is medicine doing that good of a job, or are we humans a little more resilient than we give ourselves credit for? I mean, the average lifespan of Americans has nearly doubled over the past century despite increasingly sedentary lifestyles, chronic pollution and horribly fatty, salty mass-produced foods. Could it be that our genes like the abuse? (My apologies to the 20 million Americans who have or are on the verge of getting diabetes. This obviously isn't the case.)

Global warming and health

One could reasonable argue that global warming is overblown and that its impact on climate change is gradual and part of a normal cycle. But you know that's a bunch of turd -- the seemingly endless stories of drought-, hurricane-, flood- and fire-ravaged areas and the untold suffering of millions tell us that something is drastically changing with our climate, and that change is upsetting the systemic balance of what keeps society afloat ... and alive. Just read this, for example. Not to go all Al Gore on you, but the phenomenon of global warming generally accelerates and worsens climatic extremes -- meaning harsher storms, more severe droughts, stuff like that. And youbetcha that affects human health in a big ugly way. Clean water becomes less accessible; food becomes harder to grow. People starve and die of disease. Just like what's happening in West Timor. Here's something else to chew on, too.

The decline of Western civilization, part 862

I like a Nathan's hot dog as much as any red-blooded American, but, c'mon, this is getting a bit ridiculous. I mean, we're not talking Ali-Frazier here. These are guys eating a bunch of hot dogs. And isn't gluttony one of the Seven Deadly Sins? Anyway, I say if we're going to get gun-ho over "competitive" eating, let's expand the media, so to say. I want to see these folks power down Icees and then collapse as their brains freeze. That would be funny.

Watermelon for everyone!

CNN is posting a news video touting watermelon having the same, ahem, amorous effects as Viagra. I don't even have a joke to make, other than watermelon, being very low in calories and high in water content, leaves you feeling less filled and more hydrated while you're performing the physical act of love. I felt you need to know that.

Healthy makes you happier!

OK, some study published today ranks the nations with the happiest people on earth. The BBC reports:

1st - Denmark
2nd - Switzerland
3rd - Austria
4th - Iceland
5th - The Bahamas
23rd - USA
41st - UK
90th - Japan
178th - Burundi

What's the connection? According to the study, healtier nations are happier nations! And based on the top three nations on this list, access to delicious pastries and chocolates matters, too. Here in the mighty USA, Baby Boomers in large were found to be sullen and unhappy. Repeated viewings of The Big Chill will do that to you.

Here's a handy map of World Happiness