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Overcoming Our Fear of 

Fat

Presented by: Kathi Cameron, BKin., MA

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Fatty Facts  The Body Mass Index (BMI) is NOT a

reliable measure for health status

Obesity or overweight is NOT the cause of chronic illness

You can be fat AND fit!

Our fear of fat may make us

Obese/overweightexercisers arehealthier thansedentary thin or 

“normal weight”

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 Negative Effects of Fatty FearsStereotypes attributed to obese people include laziness,

lack of self control, low intelligence and non compliancewith health guidelines.

The media reinforces these messages through “before andafter” advertisements.

Studies with children suggest that

with obesity bias comes increased risk of depression and suicide throughteasing and other related negative

 behaviors.

Society’s preoccupation with fat/obesity may causedisordered eating/ exercise and unsafe surgeries.

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Obesity Kills?

It has been suggested that a BMI of between 18.5 – 24.9 is

optimal for health (25+ = major health risks).

In Norway, researchers discovered (after following 1.8million people for 10 years) that the highest life expectancy

was found among people with a BMI between 26-28! Thelowest life expectancy was seen in those with a BMI lower than 18.

2005, researchers from the CDC and NIHfound that obesity and overweight wereassociated with only 26,000 deaths per year (vs. 2004’s original estimate of 400,000)

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Does fat make you sick?

n Research suggesting obesity and overweight is bad for you

health is correlational vs. causational.

n “Evidence that it is more dangerous to be thin than fat iseither ignored or minimized in analyses that shape public

 policy toward weight loss…What evidence exists for anassociation between obesity and mortality or morbidity, isusually found not to apply to those with mild to moderateobesity.”  – Clinical Psychology Review, 1991

n “Neither Coronary heart disease nor cancer, the twoleading causes of death, was significantly associated withBMI.” - Journal of Women’s Health, 1998

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“Someone needs to say the emperor hasno clothes…[the conventional wisdom onobesity] is cultural bias, not science.”

- Dr. C. Wayne Callaway, Professor of Medicine,George Washington University, 1998

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Fat and Healthy?

Being physically inactive is a better predictor of 

overall mortality than being overweight or obese.

Obese, physically active,individuals have a lower risk of death and health risks than

those sedentary “normalweight” individuals!

“Obese individuals with at least moderate “cardio”

fitness have lower rates of cardiovascular disease or all-cause mortality than their normal-weight but unfit peers. In fact, death rates in the former group areabout one half those of the latter.”

- Editorial, JAMA, 2004

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Tips for  Healthy Living!

Get active

Eat

Laugh

Socializ

Sleep

Reduce stress

Enjoy your

Find passion

Live in

Overcome

your fear of 

Manage

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Famous Last Words About Fat…

Judgment vs. Understanding

Health vs. Looking Good Naked

Focus on all dimensions of health.

FAT IS NOT THE ENEMY!

Physical activity will result in a healthier 

lifestyle.

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Suggestions for Further Reading…

www.obesitymyths.com

www.vipac.ca

http://healthinreallife.blogspot.com/