Okay, so when I first saw the info on this documentary and saw that it was on HBO, I prepared myself to be underwhelmed and over-sensationalized. I also chuckled at the thought that overweight people are classified as couch potatoes and that this was encouraging them to sit on the couch for 4 hours of documentary watching. But I decided to watch the first one and then decide whether or not to watch the rest.
Part 1: Consequences starts with an explanation of how the calculation of BMI (Body Mass Index) was determined. This was really interesting to me, b/c I had never realized how it was calculated.
Then it goes into a section on the Bogalusa Heart Study. It was a study started in 1972 to study the overall health of children. The study continues today with many of the same people still being followed. It has proven that heart disease begins in childhood, which is something that I never would have imagined before. The study is in its 40th year of following over 16,000 children to adulthood.
One fact from the study that really struck me was that only 7% of children that were at healthy weights in childhood became obese adults. So if I help my son learn how to maintain a healthy weight, he's more likely to be healthy later in life.
On the other hand, with these findings, it's easy to blame your current situation on a past you had no control over. As a child, I didn't chose my foods, I ate what my mom put in front of me. And my health choices began at that time. I could easily cop-out and say, well it's not my fault. But I do have to take responsibility for my current self and step up and say, "No more. I'm not going to live this way anymore."
I was also surprised to find that obesity is as widespread as it is. All states, all income-levels, all races. Obesity no longer is limited to certain areas and people groups as it was before.
They also made a balanced case for obesity. They didn't skew too much to either the nature or nurture argument. Some people try to blame obesity all on genetics or all on where you grew up. Obesity is caused partially by genetics but is also influenced by environment and behavior.
Halfway through part 1, there is a section where actual doctors who have autopsied hearts show the differences between hearts of obese people versus normal people. It was pretty disgusting and really made me realize how I need to change for my heart's sake.
One study that was highlighted in part 1 was a study where they studied people, had them gain 5% more weight and then lose that weight again over the period of several months and studied the changes in their levels and organs. It was really interesting to see their findings in this study.
Overall, Part 1:Consequences, highlighted all of the problems created by obesity. The list of chronic health problems is just overwhelming. One that surprised me was: obese people are 80% more likely to have dementia because obesity even affects your brain. It also highlighted the healthcare costs and the overall impact of the obesity epidemic. It impacts the workforce, the armed forces, and the nation as a whole.
I found Part 1 to be very interesting, if not a little alarming. All the health implications that they put forth in this documentary were pointing at me. It made me see that something has to change or I would be the one having the heart attack or having a foot amputated due to diabetes. And that's a very scary thought. It's something that I know I don't want. And to avoid that future, I've got to make some changes in my life.
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