Pick up almost any weekend newspaper and turn to the health pages, where you will find at least one story about someone who has lost an enormous amount of weight by making radical changes to their diet and/or taking up a vigorous and daunting exercise program - often literally going from “couch potatoe” to “body builder”. (click here for some bizarre success stories)

The articles will often include mention of the disastrous state before weight loss, the immense changes and efforts made, and the remarkable improvement in every aspect of life - truly inspirational it seems - or not?

There is no doubt that every year 1000s of people turn around their lifestyles by changing their diets and increasing their physical activity levels - not seldom in response to specific events or encounters (e.g. “When my doctor told me I have diabetes, I decided enough is enough!”).

We also know from the National Weight Control Registry and other sources that it is indeed possible for some people to make “permanent” lifestyle changes that will result in long-term weight-loss maintenance.

But how “inspirational” are these stories really? How many people actually read an article in the newspaper about the 35 year old former fast-food junkie, who lost 240 lbs after deciding to take on a 2 hr paper route before work everyday or about the formerly 350 lb 45 year old mother of four, who just participated in her first Iron (Wo)Man competition, and decide to simply emulate these “exemplary” individuals to conquer their own weight problems?

Not too many I would guess.

On the other hand, how many people struggling with excess weight read these stories and recognize, given their own personal situations, the sheer impossibility of making similar changes for themselves. How many readers simply throw up their hands in despair: “if that’s what it’s gonna take - I may as well give up!”

I also wonder just how many overweight people are sick and tired of having these “inspirational” articles rubbed under their noses by “well-meaning” friends and family? “After all if so-and-so decided to give up all white foods and become a marathon runner to solve their weight problem, why can’t you?”

I am sure that there is probably research data on these questions but I’d really like to hear from my own readers: who actually finds these weight-loss success stories inspirational?

I’d certainly love to hear from anyone who as a result of reading such a story was inspired enough to do the same. Let me include in this question anyone who after watching X-Weighted or The Biggest Loser decided to hire their own personal trainer and lose those pounds ‘forever’.

From those readers, who don’t find these stories helpful, I’d also definitely like to hear what you’d rather like to be reading.

AMS
Edmonton, Alberta

Over the past three days, newspapers across Canada have been publishing a three-part series on obesity by CanWest’s Sharon Kirkey.

For this mini-series, Sharon spoke to many prominent and outspoken Canadian Obesity Network members including Valerie Taylor (McMaster), Eric Doucet (Ottawa), Nikolas Christou (McGill), Robert Ross (Queens), Yoni Freedhoff (Ottawa) and researchers from the US on a wide range of subjects relevant to this topic. She also interviewed a number of people who have struggled with obesity and its many physical and psychosocial consequences.

As expected, not all experts agree on every aspect of the debate and some statements are clearly more controversial than others. Nevertheless, I would certainly view the articles as a balanced and insightful view of the true causes of the obesity epidemic and the possible solutions (or rather the barriers to solutions).

For those who missed the series, here are the links:

Part 1: The exercise myth: Physical activity plays an important role in healthy living, but it’s not enough to make you lose weight.

Part 2: The trouble with food: A look at the science and psychology of overeating.

Part 3: Fighting an epidemic: A search for the solution.

While readers may criticize that many topics relevant to the obesity discussion were not mentioned (e.g. gut bacteria, genetic programing, sleep deprivation, etc.), remember, this was a three-part not a ten-part series on this topic. 

Noticeably, the same articles appeared under different headings in different papers, in some with more controversial titles than in others (I guess the local editors wanted to add their own spin to attract readers).

Although, I believe that the articles do discuss both sides of the debate on each of the topics,  I am sure that the critics will find their pet-topic under- or mis-represented.  Indeed, I am convinced that many readers, especially those with their usual grudge and bias against obese people as well as those who have all the (simple) answers, will probably be unhappy.

I can only commend the editors of these papers (and of course Sharon) for taking on this important topic and not shying away from controversy, which I know these articles will provoke.

The more open debate we have on this subject, the better.

Appreciate views from any of my readers, who have read these articles.

AMS
Edmonton, Alberta

Last week, according to the New York Times, GlaxoSmithKline (which sells the weight-loss drug Alli in many countries) announced that it will provide a yet-undisclosed sum of money to the Creative Coalition for a documentary on obesity - a film that is already being compared to “An Inconvenient Thruth”. Although a budget has not been set, an Academy Award-winning director will be named on Jan. 25 at the Sundance Film Festival

The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit, nonpartisan social and political advocacy organization of the entertainment industry. In an interview to Sharon Waxman, Robin Bronk, the executive director of the Creative Coalition had this to say: “It’s reverse product placement. It’s issue placement. It’s organic for us. We’re using filmmaking to promote a film message. Art influences. Look at Al Gore; he could not move the needle on global warming until he went Hollywood. And he was the vice president.”

As to GSK’s role in the documentary? “They have absolutely no creative control. Zero.”

Sure, GSK, as the maker of Alli, has a vested interest in obesity. So is this just going to be a pricey infomercial for Alli? Probably not. As pointed out in the New York Times, “As a rule, documentary makers are an aggressively anticorporate crowd.”

Personally, I very much hope that this documentary will also take on the issue of weight-bias and discrimination that faces obese people and will not simply portray obesity as the result of stupid lazy slobs making poor choices. Based on the generally negative depictions of obese people and the abundant discriminatory fat jokes in Hollywood films, I will be watching keenly to see how much finger pointing and blame will find its way into the final cut.

AMS
Edmonton, Alberta

Although these pages are primarily intended for a “professional” audience, I am well aware that a lot of people struggling with weight read my blog.

Not surprisingly, I get countless e-mails everyday from people telling me heartbreaking stories about themselves or their loved ones and their struggles with excess weight.

Unfortunately, I simply cannot answer any of these e-mails or provide any specific medical advise on the many questions.

Nevertheless, occasionally, certain letters very nicely illustrate what this blog is all about.

The following is taken from such an e-mail - the personal data has been edited to maintain anonymity: 

“I heard you on a recent podcast on CBC Radio and I want to thank you. I just wish everyone in Canada heard this. I am a 28 year old female, stand five foot five with a weight of 480lbs and a BMI of 79.9. I am currently fighting for weight loss surgery. I saw a surgeon in September. He made me and my mother feel hopeful until he told me that I am looking at a 2- 5 year wait.

I have written letters to the Prime Minister, Health Minister and my local MLA. The replies from them have not been helpful at all.

I recently lost my job a day after learning they couldn’t get me a uniform to fit me at all but of course they didn’t say that when they let me go. You said something in the podcast about laughing or coughing and leaking. You’re the first I’ve heard bring that up but I know all about it all to well.

I just want to thank you very much for the information you shared on that podcast. The 3-5 year wait kills me inside to hear. It hit me hard as I am a single parent to a very amazing 9 year old boy and with a 3-5 year wait, I’ll be lucky to see his 14th birthday.

Ive tried everything: not eating, eating little, making myself get sick, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, TOPS, Pills, Atkins, Soups everything. Im pretty healthy for my size: no high blood pressure etc. The only things wrong with me due to my weight are sleep apnea, sores all over, my knee cracks nonstop, can’t stand or walk any longer then 5 mins as my lower back causes me so much pain and my bum almost goes numb and I do leak a lot. But I have been told due to my weight lots can go wrong fast.

I don’t go out anymore due to stares, giggles, rude people, fear of not fitting somewhere. I just wanted to share with you my story and to thank you. I know if I don’t get this procedure soon it will for sure be too late for me. I just wish people knew more about all this so it can save the next person who truly needs this life saving chance.”

What can I say? The letter speaks for itself - this is just one of many that reach me every day.

Click here to listen to the CBC 1 podcast referred to in this letter.

Additional reactions to the podcast are available here and here.

Appreciate your comments,

AMS
Berlin, Germany

There are many things that are holding our health care system back from increasing access of competent care to people struggling with excess weight - my not spending enough time getting the message out is perhaps not one of them.

On Friday, I first spoke about obesity to allied health professionals working for primary networks in Edmonton, I then held the Key Note Lecture at the Annual Research Day of the Alberta Diabetes Institute, from where I went straight to a talk at the 22nd Annual Urological Excellence Conference of the Urology Nurses of Canada, followed by a brief visit to the Grand Opening of Me Without Measure, an eating disorder centre located on Edmonton’s busy Whyte Avenue.

On Saturday, I travelled to Banff, to give a workshop on obesity assessment and management to around 90 psychiatrists from across Canada, who were attending the 12th Annual Update in Medicine for Psychiatrists.

In total, that’s another 400 people, who have hopefully heard the message and will perhaps slightly change their views on obesity.

At of these events, the messages were almost the same: obesity is a huge problem, it needs to be addressed and managed as a chronic disease, and simply telling people to “eat-less and move-more” seldom works. The complex psychosocial and biological factors contributing to obesity make this a most challenging condition to deal with - something that cannot be achieved without a substantial investment in training of health professionals and provision of resources.

Interestingly, obesity was also the topic of this week’s edition of Dr. Brian Goldman’s widely heard radio documentary series on CBC Radio One, White Coat, Black Art that examines the world of the health care system.

The entire 30 min program, which includes a conversation with me and a few colleagues and patients regarding bariatric health care, can be accessed by clicking here. I believe Dr. Goldman did well to capture the essence of what bariatric care is all about.

I would certainly like to hear your comments on this radio documentary - I am sure that not everyone will agree with everything that was said - the more we have an open discussion of these issue, the better.

AMS
Edmonton, Alberta