Segmented sleep
I’ve long been a natural night owl. Even as a child with an eight o’clock bedtime it just didn’t feel right to me, and as early as grade school I customarily went to bed as late as my parents would … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Health
Genetics and exercise
I’ve always liked exercise. I just don’t feel well when I’m inactive. After my severe back and arm injuries about two decades ago, and the resultant chronic pain, some of my range of activities was reduced. No more tennis, which … Continue reading →
It turns out Southerners are not so very fat after all…
…and what’s more, they seem to be more truthful about their weight when asked. But the most interesting thing to me about the survey described in the article was this: “Everybody underreports their weight but women do it more,” Howard … Continue reading →
It’s not enough to banish smoking, now we won’t hire smokers
Here’s the story: In small but growing numbers, employers in recent years have been refusing to hire smokers, arguing that coaxing tobacco users to quit with free cessation programs or cash incentives hasn’t worked. Some medical experts back the bans, … Continue reading →
To be slim, you need to change your—gut microbiota?
This may seem like science fiction stuff, but it may be true nonetheless: Not only are the “gut microbiota” different in lean people and obese people, but the mix of microbes changes after an obese patient undergoes gastric bypass and … Continue reading →
Paleo: the dubious joy of dieting
[NOTE: Here I am, venturing again into the dangerous topic of dieting. I guess I just can’t resist temptation.] I seem to recall that quite a few of you swear by the paleo diet, but I cannot imagine treating food … Continue reading →
I should know better…
…than to ever ever ever post another thread that has anything whatsoever to do with dieting. But I guess I just lack willpower :-), because I couldn’t resist this news [emphasis mine]: Gwyneth Paltrow’s new cookery book will be based … Continue reading →
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 →
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 →