Article:
"Mormons on average are 4% heavier than the rest of the population. We tend to substitute food for other "forbidden" substances."
I know so many people that struggle with their weight, whether it's actually their weight that's the problem or their body image, everyone is different. My mom was overweight for years & years. Being a single mom, working 2 & 3 jobs trying to raise my brother and I by herself - she turned to food as her comfort. Finally after yo-yo dieting for 20+ years, she decided that having her stomach reduced was a final alternative. She worked so hard and lost 100+ lbs, the weightloss rid her of diabetes, and she also overcame so many mind-blocking habits that she had formed over her 45 years. She became obsessed (and I don't use that word lightly) with weightloss and then turned her enthusiasm on me, which I became resentful of. Within a year after she had the surgery, she was down to 112 lbs., looked great, was feeling great, and just after her 46th birthday she died. I think a lof of her effort could have been focused on more of the important things in her life, like the gospel, service, her grandkids, but that's not what her priority became. I think there's a fine line there and it's easily crossed. Don't get me wrong, my mom was a great woman, did some wonderful things with her life, but it would have been nice to bond with her by talking about things other than our need to lose more weight.
The more kids I have, the less energy I have to focus on myself. Go running the the morning? Do an exercise video? I'm doing all I can to simply keep my sanity, and my lunch down - of which neither are going very well. :)
Thanks Sarah, for the "food for thought".
9.29.2008
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6 comments:
My opinion is VERY strong on this subject. I have been heavy most of my life - however I have the most awesome self-esteem ever. I think there is a fine line of being overweight and happy with who you are or being skinny and being obsessed with staying that way. I for one am EXTREMELY happy with the way I am now and can't imagine my life any other way.
I think there needs to be a good balance. As I have said before, because of my PCOS it is really hard to lose weight but I exercise daily and try to eat healthy so that I have a healthy body. I think it is important to take care of the bodies Heavenly Father has blessed us with, no matter the size!
I agree- there has to be a good balance. We need to take care of our bodies- but more to keep them healthy and strong so we can do more of the Lord's work longer. (There was an awesome article in the church news about this on 1/7/06 that talked about how health & fitness adds years to your life.) But that's being healthy- basic nutrition & exercise- not an unhealthy obsession with being a stick thin. And worse, becomign so obsessed that we lose sight of what's important in life. I think you have a good understanding of this. :)
Moderation in all things... we can learn a lot from our parents.
OK Connie, You got me thinking. I didn't like this article. It doesn't say anything about other factors that affect weight. It looks like the study was done only in Utah, which is not a full representation of the Mormon population. It doesn't mention that perhaps the population polled is more likely to have a truckload of kids and a "too high" grocery bill -- consequently having to eat things that are easier to make in large quantities and less healthy for you. In addition, if this person were to poll a more representitive part of the nation, I think their article would be completely different... I did a quick google search and came up with the following:(http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/daily/social_eom.htm)
"Jarvis and Northcott (1986) observed that Latter-day Saints have longer life expectancy than non-LDS because of lower than average rates of cancer, heart disease, and infant deaths. Self-reported health of NORC respondents shows 85 percent of Latter-day Saints report that their health is good or excellent, which is higher than any other religious group. Only 3 percent of LDS rate their health as poor. (See Health, Medicine, and Fitness home page)"
Now, I am no expert in these things and I realize this study is outdated, but it seems to me that the context of this article is not completely accurate. I am afraid that all that will come of it is guilt.
So, that is the long story. The short story is that I wouldn't give any credit to such an article.
Kathy, your in depth investigation is impressive! :) Well said everyone, well said! :)
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