Apparently being overweight is not as harmful as is commonly believed.....

lol...I try to keep up with the action WHEN I am around (quite unsuccessful with the amount that I miss when I am not). I thought I needed to pep up that Sunday of yours....I'm going to back next Sunday and more often after that.....yay!!! Be prepared, 'twin'!

Sunday is the first day of the working week for me so this should be interesting! lol. It will be nice to have you around regularly though and FAR more manageable too!

You certainly keep me on my toes when you return th mylot Sandhya! lol. Just for the record, this "article" was a parody and is not factual at all. I used the jovial example to lead into the question regarding whether there is corporate manipulation of statistics to aid their causes or not. The mighty dollar reigns supreme in most cases unfortunately, so it would not surprise me at all if there WAS underhanded tactics going on. Thanks for the response and I would leave it at that! Common sense prevails and most of the information we read about changes constantly anyways!

We definitely cannot assume and take anything for granted as far as the medical facts are concerned.They keep coming with new findings and facts everyday.

They certainly do bala. And it can become really confusing at times too. All we can use is common sense and also try to "listen" to our own bodies as well as we can. A regular check-up is of benefit also, so if we are doing something that is not of benefit, we can at least catch it early!

Your Uncle must be very strong indeed bala, but I think it all comes down to the individual and it can be dangerous ground for us to assume that being overweight is of benefit for all of us in times such as these. My own Grandmother was a very heavy woman, but she had a heart as strong as an ox! But her weight did eventually cause her many problems. Thanks for the response.

Thanks..I am just glad I got through Easter without any damage..lol..

I didn't eat any crap over Easter either. All I had was one small chocolate Lindt bunny! I found a pack of them at a supermarket and was quite surprised to see them here, so bought 'em for my Wife. Happy Easter to you and your family!

Heya mtdewgurl, nice to see you back! My post was of course purely fictional, but I have no doubt that corporations do twist statistics and other angles to help create a more positive spin that increases consumption of their products. There is a completely messed up view of health and nutrition in this world in my opinion. The sterotype created by savvy marketers is totally wrong for one; and the obsession with dieting is doing more harm than good too. The formula for losing weight is pretty straightforward really..... Burn off more calories per day than we consume! Eat right, use moderation when eating things that aren't of benefit and exercise regularly! So many diets constantly spring up, people pop diet pills, a quick fix is always sought..... It really is quite a vicious circle in that regard and what many people are embracing these days is ultimately failing them. But of course it's a multi-billion dollar a years business, so there'll be no easing up on these angles anytime soon! You can definitely be overweight and still healthy, no question! But I don't believe for one second that all overweight people are happier, because society will always make it difficult for them to be this way. Thanks for the comments here and I hope you are able to find success with your own approaches that you've shared with me before.

It certainly would be if it were real zalilame. This is a satirical post and not a real study excerpt at all. I used it as a lead in to ask if people thought that this type of thing may actually occur or not. Personally I believe that to a lesser degree, it probably does; and some corporations would mislead the public with complimentary health data that is not necessarily accurate at all. Thanks for the response.

Heya savak, long time no see! Let's just call this discussion a sociological experiment of sorts! Yes, it was a humorous play in one sense, but it was also alluding to the serious case of corporations etc manipulating data to suit promotional purposes. Serious AND humourous answers both have a place then!

It's great to see that real life has provided you with such an opportunity savak! I've been caught up more and more with work lately, so I totally understand. There's always a happy medium to be found though and an occasional savak is better than no savak at all! I hear ya about the coffee too. I guess we can add egss, avacado and many other things to that list as well. "Experts" change their minds like the damn weather! lol. Maybe we should all just stick to purified air inhalation just to be on the safe side?

You've got a point there. I've always maintained that corporations manipulate statistics to suit their needs. For instance, I frequently tell the story about an article that went on and on about how coffee was not good for you. It was a lengthy article and before I had reached the end the author was also telling the benefits of drinking coffee. So I ask you, If coffee is not good for you how can it have benefits? Huh? By the way I have been kinda busy with the job that pays the bills. We've got a new client and I have been setting up the stores. Never fear I will pop in from time to time because I have such a ball here on the lot.

Oh it IS crap Theresa! lol. I made it all up to make a point. And yes, you are very right in saying that different companies offering different products would have completely different spins on exactly the same thing! This is the problem, it all comes down to self-promotion by companies and along the way, the actual truth gets lost in all the BS! No wonder we have issues with obesity and things like that. Thanks for the response.

I mean, what are the chances that the results of these studies weren't manipulated to suit or to benefit these companies? I bet if slimming tea companies were gonna run their own test, it will yield different results right? Whew, sometimes we don't know who to believe anymore.

I'd be most concerned if some obese person's gonna celebrate it with jumbo-sized servings of fries, and burger, Coke float, chicken nuggets....after reading this. I admit my mouth just watered but I can't help feeling sorry for that person who didn't know you made it all up. Haha. (Did you really make it all up?)

Maybe in panda spanking would be appropriate or a warning sign here as to not to take this post seriously and if such a thing etc,etc.. I have not heard about the organic smoking. .

I'd eat a gallon of Ben en Jerries Caramel Chew Chew if it protected me (or not, at least didn't do any damage . Not to worry, James. I haven't been posting all that much lately due to my work, studies and the intership I currently do. I am 5 days away from home and 2 schoolnights. The other time is neccesairy to keep up with my homework, doing laundry and cleaning my house, etc. Little time for mylot, but I am sure that we'll keep in touch . All the best!

Good heavens, I'm soooooooo late in replying here! My apologies cyberfluf. I agree with you totally and there's no question in my mind that major food manufacturers have a lot of influence in the market. Manipulation is a given too because it's all about commercialism and profit. McDonalds were very clever in my opinion, as the movie "Super Size Me" really did some PR damage. Introducing the healthier options menu was a smart move! They would've attracted a whole new demographic in the process as well. And yes, I'd love to be able to eat certain foods to protect myself from disease! Preferably chocolate too!

i know you said all this in jest.but as for the explaining part.i know you are very good at explaining.you ar sure nobody in your family is a preacher or an orator??

No riya. But would you like me to be? I will give it a go at least!

I really need to add another opening line to the post that states that this is NOT a real article riya! (Shame that I can't!) What you have said is very true and the higher the level of fat in our bodies, the greater the health risks. The "article" I provided is a parody and was to lead in to the question at the end. This is why I placed the bit about KFC etc in bold and put the crazy face at the end. It seems that I have a lot of explaining ahead of me! Thanks for the response.

lol. Nah, it's a joke Daffodil so you will have to watch your chocolate and junk food intake I'm afraid! I do feel though that food corporations would probably manipulate statistical information to a lesser degree to aid their causes though. Anyways, as long as we eat junk foods etc in moderation I see no reason why we can't let go once in a while! Thanks for the response and save some chocolate for me!

Oh yes! No doubt about the manipulations, if they could. Hahahahahah, I guessed so. But as you said once in a while we must let go and Feast............ Nevertheless, Thanks for the laugh James!

What other colour options do you have available?

I am happy that you realized this was a joke dolcias. I have been explaining a lot that it is not real because I wasn't clear enough in the discussion wording it seems..... Yes, I just couldn't get used to seeing the other one so I went back to the original tail but with a different background. Thanks for the response and I am glad you like the new avatar.

Unfortunately it has been taken seriously by a few so far, yes. But it opens up further discussion so all is good!

you mean people didn't notice it was a joke?..hahah...you must be kidding!

Oh, goodness miamilady! There are so m,any factors that come into play here it would take eons to cover them all! lol. Firstly, there are many studies already done that show it's INTERNAL fat that causes a majority of issues! Just because an individual is outwardly thin, it doesn't mean they have a low level of internal fat at all. Major organs could be absolutely swimming in fat for all we know! Then there's the media attention to this "heroin chic" look in models. Skinny as heck and totally unrelatable for the masses. Eating problems, unrealistic self-expectations etc.... ALL stem from these ridiculous representations! You only have to look at the furore surrounding Jessica Simpson's current body shape to see how biased and negative the press can be. Yet she is STILL below average whne you consider her current body type! There are also hormonal contributors, glandular contributors, medicinal contributors..... The list goes on and on and on..... THIN does not necessarily mean healthy, no question; but we as whole do need to be more self conscious about what we consume and how we manage our lifestyles. Obesity IS on the rise globally and the associated health issues are obviously growing in parallel. And I have no doubt in my mind that corporations and savvy marketers are not only adding fuel to the fire; they're loving each and every minute of it! Thanks for your extremely valid comments.

It was looking pretty promising for a while there wasn't it!

Of course it's made up mate! We can't be expecting me to get all SERIOUS now can we? LMAO. Jeez, wouldn't it be nice if it were true though? If I were to believe half the crap I hear, see and read about what's good and what's bad, I'd never leave the house and I'd live on air! (Purified and filtered air of course!)

We are all cows to the slaughter when it comes to consumerism unfortunately and savvy marketers will do anything they can to lure us into that line! The question is WHAT product or service will they get each one of us with? In all seriousness, what it comes down to is self awareness, common sense; and most importantly, moderation.

Actually I wouldn't mind some donuts myself now that you mention it. I am not aware of any such stores in Cairo though so if you do end up getting some, eat a couple extra in my honour! I am sure that these corporations have very savvy legal teams that are very aware of the litigious society they are operating in and in response to that, would be treading the legal lines very, very carefully. In most countries, it is a requirement to provide detailed breakdowns of fat content etc so people are aware of what they are ingesting; but this is really not optimal if there is no parallel education strategies in place and moves to convince people to eat healthier! Why would these junk food corporations wish to change anything anyways? Arguably they ARE to blame on many levels because they are dedicated to tempting the public repeatedly, avoiding true representations of the effects of their foods; and focusing purely on revenues just like any other corporation. Statistical growth over the last 20 years on obesity related issues is a testament to the damage they are doing. But ultimately it does come down to the individual and self control, yes. Moderation is key here but many people opt for convenience instead and damn the consequences. It will be interesting to see where things are in this regard in another 20 years from now. All I do know, is that it will not be positive unless many things change. Thanks for the response SaintAnne and don't forget the donuts.

I forgot to mention that for every donut we eat, 50 grams of fat magically disappear from our bodies! Stock up kpr, stock up!