Scummer

https://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/08/20/obesity.virus.ap/

This is getting ridiculous. What do they come up with next?

I think I need to offer my own study: Obesity caused by... uhhmm.. lets see... too much food and no exercise?

JeeperTim

That would be a boring theory - we've all heard that before.

piper_chuck

Cool, the article says they're working on a vaccine for the problem. No reason for me to exercise anymore, I'm fat because of a virus. Now I can just sit around the house and wait till the vaccine is ready.

Oops, I used a politically incorrect term about myself. I'm not fat, I'm just weight challenged.

theetruscan

I'm pretty sure mine is caused by a virus carried by either bacon or chocolate.

bhima

silly infotainment news stations.

Tom Stormcrowe

It's a sound theory, because when a virus enters a cell, it rewrites the DNA in the cell, much like a Computer Virus rewrites lines of code in the Assembler Machine language. Actually, that's how the use of virus came into computer terminology. That said, it IS only a potential contributory cause and behavioral changes can be learned to offset any effect.

crtreedude 

Pshaw - we are supposed to be fat because we have the ability to store the stuff when there is an excess of food around. It is a survival trait. Skinny people died in past ages. What this country needs is a good famine!

Tom Stormcrowe

The thing is, Neil, your viewpoint isn't wrong. All these things are POTENTIAL contributors. Keyword: Potential. It's all in how you respond to the potential. A person can either git'r done when they learn of a potential issue and modify their lifestyle accordingly, or just go with the path of least resistance and surrender to the potential. In my case, once I learned about the mechanism that was slowly killing me with fat, I chose to address the issues, but was far enough into the weight issue that I had to take radical steps just to stay alive.

A Statistic, or a physical contributor to risk can be a tool or a hindrance. It's all in how you apply the knowledge.

Tom Stormcrowe

One other point I'd like to make though, Neil:

If a person is looking for knowledge and exploring potential contributory causes, this is a healthy mindframe and should be encouraged instead of crying havoc and letting slip the dogs of war, to quote old Bill. Instead, we should be providing guidance and assistance in understanding the true meaning of their find and how it can be contributory, yes, but will still require a change of life instead of surrendering to the inevitable. It isn't inevitable if a person is willing to use it as a tool instead of an excuse. Knowledge is power and new data and research may well yield potential new answers.

crtreedude 

I have always found if there is something that I don't want to do, if I learn enough, I can generally rationalize way my culpability.

For the majority out there it is not a virus that makes you fat.

chipcom 

Kewl! What do I have to do to sign up?

hr2510

Well I'm sure my problem is not because of any virus. I have a gland problem. The gland between my lips also known as a tounge. Food just tasted too good for too long and even though my belly was full my tounge demanded more!

Tom Stormcrowe

Now this is just "tongue in cheek"

CliftonGK1

My problem is fungal.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to be specific.

tomdaniels

<I play a scientist at work, but way different area.>

The described experiments sound pretty convincing if they hold up to repeatability. It is entirely possible that part of the difference between the "eat alot and never gains" and those of us who can struggle to lose every ounce is this virus and perhaps many other small causes.
Something like the difference between a 100 mile road race between two equal cyclists, one on a fixie and another on a $2000 road bike. Both may finish, but I know which I would rather be.

Perhaps one of the differences in weight loss is how well our immune system deals with the virus. It could even explain part of the "set point" business. Funny enough, set point in the literature doesn't really mean you can't beat it, but rather that at certain points it is very hard to make changes.

I find this sort of stuff exciting and fascinating to contemplate. My main problem is with the media who jump on these things and do a crappy job of explaining things while promising the world. Faculty usually try to be pretty precise and honest with the press, but the press still misquote, misunderstand, and never retract on science interviews. (Personal experience)

I don't get the concept that anything other than "calories in" < "calories out" is an excuse. Some people can go ahead and use it as an excuse, but let's face it, they will find one anyway without this stuff. Discoveries like this will either lead to therapy, better understanding of our bodies, or be discredited by the scientific method. Very little of which will ever be reported in the popular press.

Sorry for the long post.

Tom Stormcrowe

I understand what you're saying, and I sure don't agree with the fat acceptance movement. It's why I keep consistent with the statement that it's HOW you use the information. Do you use the knowledge to empower yourself or do you use it as an excuse? We've both used knowledge as an empowerment tool for change rather than a tool of enablement. The only difference between what we are saying is the approach to communication.

You use the Blitzkrieg technique, which works well with some people and not with others. I use the finesse and cognitive-behavioral teaching method which works well with some, but not others. I suspect our bell curve of people reached is complementary, in that your peak effectiveness is where my message is ineffective and my peak effectiveness is where your message is ineffective.

Two sides of the same coin with different n group targets, if you will. When I dialog with you on these threads, all I'm trying to do, rather than shoot down what you are saying, is present the message in an alternative form. I still address cause/effect, and the need for change of lifestyle for the long haul, just in a softer message.

BeckyW

One of my well-meaning friends sent me an article about this today, and some others along the same lines. I was surprised how defensive and de-motivated it made me feel. I think it's because these are things I can't control. If I could get checked for that virus, and have a vaccine or anti-viral drug if I had it, that would make losing weight even a little easier, that would be great. But that's not an option.

I'm glad they're doing the research - one day it may help people. But that's not an option for those of us in this struggle right now. It's a very personal reaction, but the media's sensationalizing the myriad things that can cause weight gain or hinder weight loss, aside from diet and exercise, really makes me feel powerless. It reinforces the fear that "my body is broken and won't lose weight no matter what I do." That sense of hopelessness is what's kept me where I am for all of my 20s, and the first part of my 30s. I will not give in to it again.

Tom Stormcrowe

I'm glad you aren't going to give in, because YOU CAN do it. Look at these things from this viewpoint if it helps:

First this is a theory right now, with no real proofs. Even if it's true, instead of feeling defensive, go on the offensive and alter your lifestyle to fit the conditions. Change is possible, and the mind-body connection and how you perceive yourself can have an amazing effect.

crtreedude 

In all seriousness, each person has to find out what makes them tick. As long as I eat smaller meals and don't let my self go on pure carbs - I lose weight and keep it off. Let me loose with something like bread and I can gain weight like you wouldn't believe.

For years my wife was feeding me high carb, low fat, low protein stuff which was what the dietitians were saying - I ballooned up to 270 lbs. (I am about 190 now) My brother pointed out how to eat like I am now and it worked - worked for my wife too who dropped 15 lbs that she thought she was stuck with.

Now a days, weight control is easy for me, some exercise, healthy, balance eating and I stay within range. If it creeps up (like it did on a trip to the states) I know how to get it back down.

It isn't always will power. For me, the mechanism is simple, too much glucose causes my blood sugar to spike up, then for insulin to dump into my system forcing it to fat - which drops the blood sugar too low. I am nearly confused at that point except for one thing - must find food! The cycle can repeat over and over again.

As long as I don't start the cycle, I am just fine.

Terrierman

Becky: You are doing great on your own. When I read your stuff, it's right minded and I really believe in you. You do not see me write the same things to everyone who posts here. I think you will ultimately succeed in what you describe today as your "struggle". One of these days I think you will see it differently. Sooner than you think. Hang in there.

Did you ever hook up with any of the other folks I mentioned in Springdale?

Terrierman

Perhaps. Time will tell. But definite perhaps.

Terrierman

But it seems like every chance you get, you try to shed the title. So far, without success, but with some legitimate contenders, very legitimate contenders....

Actually has it only been five months? I think the very first post of yours I read about not giving in to a few of life's little problems and just managing them with a vengeance instead got you that title. That seems longer ago, but I may be wrong, I frequently am...

solveg

This kind of statement is an example of what bewilders me.

I can only speak for myself, but I believe there are many like me who let the weight creep up slowly over many years. I didn't even realize, or care, until one day I did. Now I'm taking it back off.

If I didn't pause and examine why* I let the weight creep up, then I'm at risk for it happening again. I gained it because I stopped cooking and ate out every day for 10 years, and I didn't especially care that I was gaining weight. Is that an "excuse?" No. It's a fact. I'm not a naturally lazy person. I'm not even that into food. I don't even like chocolate. For 10 years, I didn't cook, didn't exercise enough, and didn't care. Previous to that, I worked out 5 days a week, cooked, and did* care.

Why did I stop working out? Why did I stop caring? Is there a way I can tolerate cooking on a regular basis? These are questions which need to be asked, or I'm at risk for putting the weight back on. Does my now older body have any special needs that need to be addressed? Am I developing hypoglycemia like my mother? Do I have yeast or dairy allergies? All of these need to at least be considered.

What I don't understand is what the big hoopla is. If someone finds information helpful and motivating, great! If someone finds it de-motivating, fine! It's good to know where you stand and to act accordingly. But we're not all people who fall over with a stiff breeze. Some of us have just let the situation get out of hand and are remedying it with a bike.

It's nice to have support, it's nice to give support. It's nice to not be alone during the long effort weight loss is. I hate to see this division in a place where we should be supportive of each other, and YES--accepting of each other where ever we are in the weight loss process as long as we're making a sincere effort.

Terrierman

I think he left out the word "some" in the sentence you cite. Or maybe "many" or "most" or some other qualifier.

I agree that knowledge is power. Properly used.

BeckyW

Believe me, I'm no hero... I just love riding my bike and want to lose a lot of weight, and have found a level of determination I never knew I had. 15 down, 185 to go.

It's so true that things like this affect everyone differently. I don't think my friend sees me as a victim, I think he's in the camp that somehow finds this sort of information helpful. I'm just not there.