Diet wars
Of all the topics I habitually write about, the only posts that generate more flak than the ones on Israel are the ones on dieting and weight. I’m not sure why that is. But I’ve observed a very marked tendency … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Health
Bloomberg’s big drink ban…
…has been banned. At least for now: Judge Tingling determined that Mr. Bloomberg exceeded his authority by sidestepping the City Council and placing the issue before the city’s Board of Health, a panel whose members were each appointed by the … Continue reading →
What we don’t know about obesity could fill a book—and has
The New England Journal of Medicine has published an article that sounds both interesting and brave, about obesity’s myths vs. what we actually know. I write “sounds” because the article itself is behind a firewall, and I’ve only read this … Continue reading →
More on Against Autonomy
That book of Conly’s is the gift that keeps on giving, isn’t it? Much fascinating discussion in yesterday’s thread, which is not even the first time we’ve discussed it (see also this and this). I especially recommend your wading through … Continue reading →
Against Autonomy revisited
I recently wrote about Sarah Conly’s newly-released book Against Autonomy: Justifying Coercive Paternalism here and here, so you’d think I’d be done with the dreadful thing. But a friend sent me a video interview with the author, and I couldn’t … Continue reading →
Nanny Bloomberg is in error
New York’s Mayor Bloomberg on his favorite government topic, weight control: If you eat less than 2,000 calories you’ll lose weight,” the mayor said on his weekly WOR radio show today. “If you eat more than 2,000 calories, you’ll gain … Continue reading →
First, do no harm
Commenter “Jim Nicholas” had this to say on yesterday’s thread about Sarah Conly’s book Against Autonomy Are we willing to or do we want to let persons suffer all of the consequences of their dumb mistakes or impulsive choices? Do … Continue reading →
This is how a diet works
Those who have never been on a diet will wonder what this crazy woman is talking about. Those who have—well, you know who you are:
Continue reading →I can’t stand them, but…
…diet drinks are more inclined to lead to diabetes??? My goodness! Counter-intuitive fact of the day.
Continue reading →“Hey, I’ve got an idea!” say the obesity police. “Let’s bring back the stocks for fat people!”
Yeah, that’ll work. No, it’s not really the stocks that David Callahan, former Harvard lecturer and president emeritus of health policy think-tank the Hastings Center, is asking for. He: …calls for increased stigmatization of obese people to try spur weight-loss … Continue reading →
What’s the prime of life these days?
I got some spam email today that wanted me to read about the “hidden epidemic picking off Baby Boomers in their prime.” Say what? Baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. As of this moment, that means they (I … Continue reading →
The assisted suicide slippery slope
Medical euthanasia is legal in Belgium “if those making the decision [to die] can make their wishes clear and are suffering unbearable pain, according to a doctor’s judgement.” It’s no surprise that those categories are starting to slip and blur, … Continue reading →