The Disease of Obesity – A Personal Perspective

After thoughtfully considering the recent article Is Being Fat A Disease? (Obesity), I felt compelled to offer my opinion. The short answer is yes! Obesity is certainly a disease but the patient also has an obligation to participate in their own recovery.

There has been a lot of talk about the bariatric process being impeded by the government, VIHA, and the bigotry of obese persons at the hands of family physicians and society in general. In my view this is true. But what I don’t see on the weight loss surgery discussion forums is the level of commitment and desire of obese people to change their lives prior to receiving life saving weight loss surgery. Speaking for myself only, I sometimes question the relationship between obese people and the prejudice pressed upon them. I wonder what do I do to perpetuate the image and what about those who are of my size who are also obese and have no interest in altering their body size or their lifestyle.

By committing to WLS surgery it is my understanding that I have an obligation to the surgeon, health-care system, and myself to do my part. I have heard repeatedly that surgery is not the cure it is only the tool. To extend the metaphor I have many tools in my basket. The surgeon’s and their medical team, health care workers, dietitians as well as exercise facilities, family, supporters, and even the Internet act as a tools for me to use. The remaining piece on the bench is myself. If I do not use my tools to actively get better, I will perpetuate the myth of the obese man.

I look at large people like myself and wonder “how did they get that way?” or “why don’t they change”? Other smaller size people are probably thinking “It doesn’t take much – few hours of exercise each week and backing up from the table”. I think that people not like me would not understand the emotional attachment to food or even the process of eating. Still I know that reducing my caloric intake is one of the primary tools in my belt.

Another one of the most efficient tools on my belt is exercise. If obesity is a disease of solidarity, then exercise must be the hardest thing in the world for a large person to do. The simple matter of putting yourself out there in the world to move, sweat and minimally stretch. I don’t have to do much to sweat profusely which makes it a really good thing because then I really do look like I am working out. I know that people in the gym are looking at me wondering “what in the world am I doing there?” Most have been supportive, some have giggled, many just don’t give a damn. All the trainers I have met in the gym; however have been awesomely supportive. They don’t understand large people’s issues but they have been helpful when asked.

But the one thing I do recognize is that I do not exercise enough. Fitness experts say that to maintain weight, people need to exercise three to four one hour active exercise sessions – “Active” means to increase your heart and breathing rate to a point beyond the ability to hold a casual conversation. To lose weight – participants must exercise five times a week. In his information sheet Dr. Amson recommends a minimum of five hours of exercise per week. I considered this thought “you’ve got to be kidding” I can’t do everything in my life and still exercise five hours a week”. I think that is the point – my life will not be the same now that I am committing to WLS.

Getting back to my point of obesity, image and commitment, I think if we are to genuinely get public support for the cause, we are going have to be more evident in our efforts. The public needs to have an image of the large guy in the gym – not McDonald’s, or the woman buying exercise clothes – not doughnuts. In the big scheme of things WLS members are in the minority of large people. Many people will not even entertain the idea of surgical intervention and budgetary restraint will ensure that even fewer people will have the opportunity. Of those who opt for surgery, very few of us will actually make the efforts to make themselves visible. But in my view, visibility is the only way we will see a change in the way obese people are treated in society.

Author:
Blake Handley
You can contact Blake at: blake.blamar@shaw.ca
http://members.shaw.ca/vicbigguys/

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