Overweight and the WoW

[Truegrits]

I know we have a big problem here in south Georgia, with obesity.

Why is the South so heavy? The traditional Southern diet — high in fat and fried food — may be part of the answer, said Dr. William Dietz, who heads CDC's nutrition, physical activity and obesity division. Poverty and obesity often go hand in hand, doctors say, because poor families stretch their budgets by buying cheaper, processed foods that have higher fat content and lower nutritional value.

Southerners are notorious for their fried foods; they will fry most anything! It is more expensive to eat healthy; fruit and most vegetables cost more than potatoes and rice.

It is hard to break the cycle. One usually, as an adult, eats the way they were raised.

Lack of exercise is a huge factor in obesity rates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found last year that more than 22 percent of Americans did not engage in any physical activity in the past month. The percentage is greater than 30 percent in four states: Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

50 percent obese by 2015
Dr. William Rowley, who worked 30 years as a vascular surgeon and now works at the Institute for Alternative Futures, said if current trends continue, more than 50 percent of adult Mississippians will be obese in 2015.

[skalenfehl]

I'd like to think that if we have any kind of yard, we have means to eat what we plant, even if you only plant a few tomatoes and some squash or whatever you like to eat. Plant it, cultivate it and enjoy the "fruits of your labors."

Seeds cost little to nothing and planting a small garden teaches us much more than just the law of the harvest. When I was a kid, we planted cantaloupes, pears, pecans, apricots, strawberries, etc. and it was fun to watch everything grow as we took care of our garden. Today, I think about the lawn that I have to mow and the weeds that I have to pull and the only gratification that I get from that labor is having a relatively weed free landscape, but it doesn't really profit anything. I should put all that hard work into tearing out a section of my yard and planting things that I can eat and enjoy each season.

Seeds don't cost much so eating fruits and veggies really aren't expensive if we grow them ourselves, cutting out all the middle men (farmers, pickers, transporters, markets, stockmen, etc). Some have acres to plant their own food storage and some have just enough to plant a very small garden of veggies, but planting something is a gratifying and humbling experience. The only thing I really have planted in my garden is a small strawberry patch. I should really do more.

[pam]

Even if you live in an apartment you can grow some types of vegetables.

[hordak]

Originally Posted by OtterPop

Yes, there's a big difference. You cannot look at someone and know by the size/shape of their body how they eat or whether they exercise. If you are going to deny a temple recommend to a fat person because they haven't followed the WoW "dos," you need to make sure you are interviewing everyone about these specifics in the WoW.

I agree and it should be asked to everyone if was done that way. But if someone is eating meat excessively and avoiding grains isn't it the same as someone who smokes or drinks tea? Both are breaking the word of wisdom.

[OtterPop]

hordak,

I think most people would be better off if they ate less meat and more whole grains. I never broke the WoW when I was LDS, and at that time there was no focus on the "dos." If I'd had to have a healthful diet to get a temple recommend, I would have had one and been better off for it.

There is so much judgment toward fat people in our culture these days. The new technique is to put it in health terms, but I think that's mostly the old fat prejudice dressed up to look better. A truly healthful diet is generally the same for all adults, regardless of weight.

Studies show that fat people avoid going to the doctor because they don't want to be harangued about their weight or be told to lose weight when they are, for example, coming in for a sore throat.

I don't think it's wise for the LDS church to create that aversion in regard to temple interviews. Besides, to do this effectively, they would need to describe exactly what constituted a healthful diet in regard to the WoW. Can you imagine being a bishop and trying to weed out healthy eaters from unhealthy eaters?

[skalenfehl]

Judging people because of their size is not what the word of wisdom is for. Some concern has been expressed about this thread as it is not the first time it has been discussed. There are folks who struggle with their weight and to prevent further hurt feelings I'm locking this thread.