The fitness industry should take a lesson from science.
We wonder why we can't get some control over the obesity problem, but I don't think there's any mystery when all we've come up with are questionable fat burning tablets, weight loss cookies, and reality TV shows that make weight loss look just about impossible for the average overweight person.
It has become such a profitable industry that everyone wants to jump on the "wellness" wagon. This produces more and more products, each with magnificent claims that inevitably mislead people and deepen confusion. It's really at a point where no one knows what to believe.
We wonder why we can't get some control over the obesity problem, but I don't think there's any mystery when all we've come up with are questionable fat burning tablets, weight loss cookies, and reality TV shows that make weight loss look just about impossible for the average overweight person.
It has become such a profitable industry that everyone wants to jump on the "wellness" wagon. This produces more and more products, each with magnificent claims that inevitably mislead people and deepen confusion. It's really at a point where no one knows what to believe.
The problem seems to be that this whole question of fitness isn't being looked at in a systematic and analytical way. Essentially everyone can have an opinion because there's no industry requirements for real hard science to back up their claims.
There was an article not long ago in the Montreal Gazette, "Obese dying awaiting operations". This article generally praised the efficacy of bariatric surgery. This is a procedure that limits the volume of the stomach so that the individual doesn't eat as much. I was elated when a Montreal doctor wrote to the Gazette (June 6th editorials); clearly pointing out that there is not a single randomized, controlled trial proving that these surgeries provide long term benefits. Imagine, if there's conflicting opinions in the medical field-where the scientific method is so rigidly applied-just think of the endless possibilities for deceit in the fitness industry where there's absolutely no standards.
Claims are so easily made with absolutely no empirical evidence to support them. What is being taught is generally ideologically based, so the information is corrupt with personal opinions and practically no supporting data.
Exercise and improved nutrition, at this point in time, are the only two methods that have demonstrated-through the abundance of research required to make any legitimate claim-to help an individual to manage their weight in a sustainable way. In fact, most weight loss products include-in small print-the importance of lifestyle changes; such as eating more responsibly and exercising. This information is included because even the most uninformed "wellness professional" knows that maintaining weight loss is impossible without exercise and proper eating. So in the end, what was responsible for the weight loss; the product or the lifestyle changes? We can't answer that question in any definitive way, because there's no peer reviewed data, no ongoing scrutiny of the claim, no science; just an opinion.
There was an article not long ago in the Montreal Gazette, "Obese dying awaiting operations". This article generally praised the efficacy of bariatric surgery. This is a procedure that limits the volume of the stomach so that the individual doesn't eat as much. I was elated when a Montreal doctor wrote to the Gazette (June 6th editorials); clearly pointing out that there is not a single randomized, controlled trial proving that these surgeries provide long term benefits. Imagine, if there's conflicting opinions in the medical field-where the scientific method is so rigidly applied-just think of the endless possibilities for deceit in the fitness industry where there's absolutely no standards.
Claims are so easily made with absolutely no empirical evidence to support them. What is being taught is generally ideologically based, so the information is corrupt with personal opinions and practically no supporting data.
Exercise and improved nutrition, at this point in time, are the only two methods that have demonstrated-through the abundance of research required to make any legitimate claim-to help an individual to manage their weight in a sustainable way. In fact, most weight loss products include-in small print-the importance of lifestyle changes; such as eating more responsibly and exercising. This information is included because even the most uninformed "wellness professional" knows that maintaining weight loss is impossible without exercise and proper eating. So in the end, what was responsible for the weight loss; the product or the lifestyle changes? We can't answer that question in any definitive way, because there's no peer reviewed data, no ongoing scrutiny of the claim, no science; just an opinion.
Leave a comment