tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078572725275361755.post3071592632682468110..comments2023-11-19T18:52:47.144-08:00Comments on Jodie Willett: EDUCATION HAS FAILED AS A PUBLIC HEALTH POLICYJodie Willetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10611540976978594693noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078572725275361755.post-30115242330181065232018-10-10T16:57:22.395-07:002018-10-10T16:57:22.395-07:00I keep thinking about this article and while I agr...I keep thinking about this article and while I agree with the premise (education doesn't work), the research articles I've read and the discussions I've had with dietitians working in community health don't really support any of the approaches you suggest.<br /><br />For example, calorie-based pricing on food will negatively impact those living below the poverty line; your broccoli is a wonderful accompaniment to some protein and carbs as part of a full meal, but it's not a balanced meal on its own. Unemployed people are often faced with very high rental living costs (thanks, capitalism) and have little money left over for food. They still need calories to live, not just water, fibre, and vitamins. And you want to price them out of the canned chilli or hot chips market?<br /><br />How about limiting food service hours? I agree that no one needs an ice cream sundae at 2am or at any time really, but if I'm on my way home from a long shift, I might really enjoy some dessert to follow my dinner, as many people do. That's okay, I can go home and get some ice cream out of my freezer. On the other hand, if I'm on my way home from a big night out drinking, maybe the alcohol consumption is more of a public health concern than the ice cream. Are we focusing on health, or just weight?<br /><br />As for your argument about the unnecessary burden placed on the public health system, I feel obliged to point out that people engaging in endurance events also create an unnecessary burden on the public health system. Exercise is good, but pretty much every adventure race I've looked at has resulted in more than a few people ending up at doctor's offices seeking medical attention. It even happens in training, as we have seen with several Tiger AR people in the last couple of months.<br /><br />Every time a rider chooses to push themselves, comes off, and bashes themselves up, we are paying for expensive diagnostic imaging and emergency treatment. Does it enrage you to see this "burden on the public health system which is so unnecessary and prevents those with serious problems, not brought about by their lifestyle, from receiving treatment in appropriate time frames." Or does it only enrage you when the burden is caused by overweight people?<br /><br />There are so many factors that influence health status and body weight. Let's call a spade a spade – your article is fat-shaming. It's evident in your "conclusions" (assumptions!) about the couple eating the bag of lollies on the plane? It's one flight. It's one bag of lollies. It's not enough information to draw conclusions about their daily eating habits, and you've drawn in the rest of the picture based on how much of your space they took up.<br /><br />I agree with your title, and I agree that it's frustrating to see people who want a healthier lifestyle but don't have the resources to achieve it. But I also think it's important to recognise that "normal weight" is not the same as "healthy weight"[1] and that:<br /><br />"Healthy bodies maintain weight. Evidence shows that for the majority of humans weight loss is followed by physiological changes that lead to weight regain. But regardless of size or shape health-behaviours predict health far more accurately than weight."[2]<br /><br />--<br /><br />[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23280227<br />[2] Mandy-Lee Noble, APD; infographic by Fiona Willis, APD, https://twitter.com/mandyleenoble/status/1046749012462788614)Tamyka Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00068895518952927473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078572725275361755.post-5684048264068253072018-09-21T00:25:24.519-07:002018-09-21T00:25:24.519-07:00Top article Jodie Willett. Spot-on! The problem i...Top article Jodie Willett. Spot-on! The problem isn't a lack of health education (we are overloaded with it!) it is the food and exercise environment we are living in. Big Food makes a lot of money our of selling us unhealthy stuff!! The sugar tax isn't perfect but has decent evidence it works (the AMA supports it), and the other legislation changes you suggest are super-sensible.<br /><br />The problem is even though these changes seem sensible, Big Food/Sugar lobbies the hell out of government, hiding behind the 'nanny state - individual responsibility' line, and we don't get anywhere. (see ABC Four Corners link). Good news is eventually parents and voters will get sick of it, and public opinion will turn, and Big Sugar/Food will have it's Big Tobacco moment and we will have some sensible changes.<br /><br />Good work promoting the message!!! <br /><br />http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/tipping-the-scales/9712342WarrenJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17841223920299788257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078572725275361755.post-85963860583071402812018-09-18T16:18:34.314-07:002018-09-18T16:18:34.314-07:00Hmmm should read ... I like your line of thought, ...Hmmm should read ... I like your line of thought, although observation, reflection and rationalisation are commitment-free. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09410125797047051010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078572725275361755.post-57775890895019005142018-09-18T16:17:08.214-07:002018-09-18T16:17:08.214-07:00I feel your pain and hear your rage given I devote...I feel your pain and hear your rage given I devoted 5 years of graduate research to tackling metabolic disorders and large scale educative-technology-based- exercise physiology drive solutions. It is now why I work in applying this expertise top finance as quite frankly the public inertia, weight of vested interests and the Byzantine challenges of early career researchers securing funds made making a difference too hard. The point you make about rudimentary behavioral economics as a gating mechanism is valid although requires a thorough research plan, the odious task of engaging government, councils and food outlets in order to not only accumulate evidence but gain buy-in. I like your line of thought; observation, reflection and rationalisation are commitment-free. Tie a project into your studies Jodie! A well written piece. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09410125797047051010noreply@blogger.com