| On July 16, 2004 the headline posted all over | | | | Please understand that we are not discounting the |
| America was "WASHINGTON (AP) -- Medicare | | | | effectiveness of stomach bypass surgery. On the |
| now recognizes obesity as an illness, a change in | | | | contrary, it is perhaps the best solution for some |
| policy that may allow millions of overweight | | | | people. However, for the vast majority of |
| Americans to make medical claims for treatments | | | | Americans, regular cardiovascular and resistance |
| such as stomach surgery and diet programs." | | | | exercise is will provide much better and |
| (cnn.com) | | | | long-lasting results. |
| It was almost impossible to miss this story, since | | | | Further along in the article from The Associated |
| it was plastered on virtually every front page in | | | | Press we find this quote: "Some health plans |
| the nation and received heavy rotation on all the | | | | subsidize gym memberships, but it is unlikely that |
| major news networks. | | | | Medicare would, despite the undeniable benefits of |
| The government representative in front of the | | | | exercise." The folks at Medicare just don't seem |
| cameras said all the right things about the dangers | | | | to get it. They're missing the obvious solution to |
| of excess body fat: Health and Human Services | | | | obesity. |
| Secretary Tommy Thompson said, "Obesity is a | | | | The plain and simple fact of the matter is that |
| critical public health problem in our country that | | | | liposuction, stomach bypass surgery, and other |
| causes millions of Americans to suffer | | | | surgical forms of obesity control do not convey |
| unnecessary health problems and to die | | | | the same benefits as exercise. That is an |
| prematurely." | | | | undisputed fact. Yes, fat-loss surgical procedures |
| Treating obesity-related illnesses results in billions | | | | work for some people and have even saved lives. |
| of dollars in health care costs, Thompson said. | | | | If you think you may be a candidate, then by all |
| "With this new policy, Medicare will be able to | | | | means please talk it over with your physician. |
| review scientific evidence in order to determine | | | | Odds are good that your doctor will discuss it with |
| which interventions improve health outcomes for | | | | you and then recommend (prescribe?) a healthier |
| seniors and disabled Americans who are obese," | | | | diet and regular exercise. |
| Thompson told a Senate panel on Thursday. (end | | | | There are two basic reasons why exercise is |
| quote from cnn.com) | | | | superior to fat-loss surgery. First, the simple act |
| That is all 100% true and accurate; obesity DOES | | | | of removing fat from your body does not make |
| cause a multitude of health problems in the United | | | | your heart healther (as exercise does). Surgically |
| States and around the world. Fitness professionals | | | | taking fat off your body (via liposuction) will also |
| around the nation have joined together in | | | | not prevent diabetes or hypertension (as exercise |
| congratulating the Department of Health & Human | | | | does). In short, although surgical procedures will |
| Services in finally taking a much more pro-active | | | | make you healther they will not convey the same |
| role in obesity prevention. | | | | benefits as regular exercise. |
| However, we must take issue with what appears | | | | The second reason that exercise is superior to |
| to be the main focus of this new initiative: fat loss | | | | surgical solutions is that we must change our |
| results through surgery. On July 21, 2004 the | | | | behavior if we are to make life-long changes in |
| Idaho Press Tribune (idahopress.com) ran a much | | | | our body composition. Think about it. What if we |
| more in-depth story on this issue (written by | | | | could magically take 20 lbs. of fat off our body |
| Mark Sherman of The Associated Press). In part, | | | | today? Poof! It's gone. Now doesn't that feel (and |
| this story stated that "Now willing to pay for a | | | | look) good? What will happen if we don't change |
| treatment that works, Medicare is shunning fad | | | | our diet or activity level....will that 20 lbs. come |
| diets to focus on one of the more radical | | | | back? Of course! Similar to the yo-yo diets many |
| solutions, stomach bypass surgery. Despite the | | | | of us have experienced, without permanent |
| claims of various diets and surgical procedures, | | | | changes to our lifestyle and/or dietary habits, |
| most researchers agree that no approach to | | | | permanent change is next to impossible. |
| weight reduction has been proven to be effective | | | | So, while we applaud the folks at Medicare for |
| over the long haul.....officials said they would | | | | their added emphasis on obesity, we are alarmed |
| consider paying for something, but only something | | | | that exercise will not (for the time being, at least) |
| that can be shown to work." | | | | play a role in their new initiative. In the meantime, |
| We are shocked and dismayed that anyone at | | | | let's continue to work out regularly and try to |
| the Department of Health & Human Services | | | | keep our diets 'clean'. Let's talk to our doctors |
| would not automatically endorse and promote | | | | about our goals.....the odds are good that they'll |
| exercise as the number one proven remedy for | | | | continue to recommend regular exercise and a |
| obesity! | | | | healthy diet. |