Health Article: Auckland Doctor Robyn Tomato explains the real reason everyone is fat Flashcards
What two things have the largest effect on our body size, according to Dr Toomath?
Rather than being in our personal control, Tomath says genes and the environment have the largest effect on body size.
What is the connection between genes, the environment, and weight gain?
Some people are genetically predisposed to weight gain. In an obesogenic environment, it is inevitable they will lose the “battle of the bulge”.
What is the “battle of the bulge”?
The “battle of the bulge” is the effort to maintain a healthy weight.
What is an obesogenic environment?
An obesogenic environment is one which encourages unhealthy eating and which does not easily enable exercise.
In what ways are our societies obesogenic?
Modern societies are obesogenic in that junk food is everywhere and promoted by companies. The physical environment encourages people to drive everywhere and not walk or cycle. In our workplaces, physical activity is not promoted or facilitated.
What are two ways Brunei is an obesogenic environment?
Brunei is an obesogenic environment in that:
1. Deep fried foods are available everywhere.
2. There are very few footpaths to encourage walking.
Can you think of your own examples?
Why is it wrong to blame individuals who fail to lose weight in an obesogenic environment?
Studies show it is largely futile to try to achieve long-term weight loss in an obesogenic environment.
According to Toomath, is it an individuals fault if they are overweight?
According to Toomath, it is the fault of the obesogenic environment.
What are fiscal measures?
Fiscal measures are tax changes made by the government to influence society and the economy.
Instead of controlling ourselves to lose weight, what does Toomath suggest we do?
Toomath suggests we try to change the environment in any way we can.
What kinds of changes to the environment does Toomath suggest individuals can make?
Toomath suggests parents could ask their school to sell only healthy food.
Can you think of other possibilities?
Often we are told to exercise more. What it Toomath’s view on this advice?
She thinks it isn’t a longterm solution.
According to Toomath, why isn’t exercise a longterm solution for people wanting to lose weight? She provides three reasons.
According to Toomath, why isn’t exercise a longterm solution for people wanting to lose weight because:
- It is rare for people to continue to exercise enough longterm.
- Studies show even 10 months of weight loss is not guarantee of long-term success.
- Our obesogenic environments don’t encourage exercise.
Instead of telling people to exercise more, what is Toomath’s suggestion about exercise?
Instead of telling people to exercise more, what is Tomato’s suggests we change the environment.
What kind of environmental change does Toomath think will promote exercise (or moving naturally)?
Toomath thinks people will exercise more or move naturally if we have “walkable cities” or workplaces organised to help people move.
Can you think of two examples of your own?
