TITLE: "The FAT Trilogy, Part Two”

Dear Readers…

We are taking this opportunity to present to you a sequence of three columns devoted to “fat”. What it is, how to store it, how to approach it, and how to lose it.

Ever watch a Sumo wrestling match? If you haven’t yet, take some time and do it. Very interesting, though not too stimulating if you’re looking for beautifully athletic, trim bodies! The Sumo wrestler averages a body weight of four hundred pounds, with some exceeding six hundred (and David only maxed out at 275 pounds, but he never wrestled)! Body fat index for these “athletes” are “massive”, typically exceeding 30. They are truly obese, and work hard at keeping it that way!

So let’s learn some lessons here. Exactly HOW do these men (I haven’t seen female Sumo wrestlers yet. If you have, let us know!) pack on the fat, and keep it there?

Talk about “cutting-edge” journalism! You thought Watergate was an eye-opener! Well, move over Woodward and Bernstein … the Oshman’s finally blow the whistle on fat!

The Sumo formula for weight loss is as follows:

OK, now that we’ve gotten your attention, and presented you with the Sumo diet (please check with your doctor or health care professional BEFORE embarking on this life-style strategy), lets discuss some general principles and personal perspectives on body weight, health, and self-image.

It can’t be denied that higher levels of body fat, above a particular range, are associated with various specific health problems such as joint pain, irritation and failure, Type II diabetes and insulin resistance, breathing difficulties, etc. However, there are many other things which are also correlated with health problems: drinking to excess, smoking, inactivity, stress, etc. Body fat is one of many variables, and often DOES indicate inactivity, poor nutrition, eating problems, and possibly underlying medical conditions. But body fat alone does not necessarily cause health problems… though it often exacerbates them.

Ideally, body fat should have no more positive or negative associations than other indicators of health and fitness. Having more body fat should not be correlated with stupidity, laziness, slovenliness, etc. Body fat should be viewed as another physical feature which varies individually. If you choose to reduce your body fat, do it, but don't view it as a moral issue. Knowing your body fat should be like knowing your shoe size. It's just a number. If you want to change that number, go ahead and do it. But you're not a better person if you're higher or lower, though you might very well end up feeling better about yourself as a result.

People have naturally varying levels of body fat. Human diversity is normal and desirable. Assuming that naturally skinny people are inherently healthier and fitter is a mistake. While there is a healthy range of body fat levels, above or below which is associated with negative health consequences, it is a range, not a single number. Some women may look and feel bad at 15%, while others may be happy and healthy. Same with 30%. Each person has a level of body fat which is appropriate to their genetics, gender, age, lifestyle, and general state of health. Find yours!

Don’t try to over-control fat, ESPECIALLY in others! There are parents who put healthy, growing children on diets or force them to do exercise (we don't mean fun exercise like we support, we mean deliberate anti-fat “aerobic” type exercise). Forcing your child to preventively diet and exercise is probably the surest way to make sure they have poor up eating habits and negative body image for life.

The same is true for friends, family, and lovers! Don't tie acceptance of a person to their body fat levels. You can point out the health problems associated with excess body fat, and even state YOUR personal preference regarding body shape and such, without making a final judgment on them. Support every person's right to control their own body.

We can tell you most assuredly that you are NOT a prisoner of your body fat. Fat has no inherent value other than what we attach to it. Fat is an element, NOT a condition! You have a very significant amount of control over your body composition. While the limit of modification is limited by your genetics, nearly everyone can achieve and maintain a level of body fat that is healthy and ideal for them. You have the power to enable your body to make positive changes.

Keep a positive perspective, and don’t make fat the enemy. If you’ve accumulated more fat stores than you want, no problem! Next week we will discuss ways to encourage those lipo-guys to “give up the ship”, run away, and never come back! Don’t miss it!