See Pinel et al Hunger, Eating & Ill Health (Amer Psy 2000, 55, 1105 - 1116) for a review of some data on health benefits of _under-eating_ (which was partially hidden in old uncontrolled studies that did not control for smoking, which shortens life and sheds pounds as well).
The Biosphere 2 study (Walford et al "The calorically restricted low-fat nutrient-dense diet in Biosphere 2 ..." Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 89, 11533-11537) had N=8 people eat 1780 calories per day (600 less than North American average). They showed 15% drop in weight, 30%/27% drop in blood pressure, 38% total cholesterol, 20% glucose level, and 24% in white blood cell count. There is supporting evidence from animal experimental studies, and, from the Okinawa study (residents eat less than recommended food and enjoy many of the aforementioned health benefits). I think the implication of these findings is that the "set point" idea (our body knows how to regulate itself) optimally flies out the window. It's possible we have inherited eating mechanisms different that those for water and temperature regulation where we maintain homeostasis that is beneficial for our survival. Eating appears regulated by the rule "if food is available, eat! And store what you don't immediately need for the next famine" (even though there are mechanisms that slow down eating - serotonin receptors triggered by glucose, leptin in the bloodstream, etc). The _cultural_ implications are, to me, are the most interesting; we live in an individualistic "ad lib" society. In traditional societies, eating was regulated by the group and many have fasting periods. Fasting serves the role of clearing the head, ending lethargy, looking forward to celebratory end-of-fast meals, and so forth. But you also lose weight. When individuals try to reduce caloric intake on their own, it becomes a "will power" issue, and the psychology principles guarantee individual failure. If you advertise that you fast for religious purposes you'll get labeled as a fruit-cake (almost the season heh? :)). Italians do bread and water in the Lent period (during the day), Muslims don't do daytime eating during Ramadan, Russians do a lot of beans and rice before Easter; but it only works with a level of "social support" that modern people consider an infringement of personal freedom. Btw, there was an article on the "French paradox" (cheese, butter, no heart disease) by Paul Rozin et al (psych science, 2003, 14, 450-454. Conclusion: French portions are smaller than US portions, even at the same chain. E.g. Portion size in US/portion size in France at McDonalds = 1.28. Also, the French sit at meals longer. Americans eat too large portions, and eat too fast. When you eat slow the hypothalamus "gets the message" that calories are on their way before the meal is ended. Oh gosh; my BMI is 21: a gift, from somewhere in the DNA. ============================================ John W. Kulig Professor of Psychology Plymouth State College Plymouth NH 03264 ============================================ "Nothing is more American, nothing is more patriotic than speaking out, questioning authority and holding your leaders accountable" General Welsey K. Clark, 24 September 2003. > -----Original Message----- > From: Ken Steele [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, November 21, 2003 9:25 AM > To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences > Subject: Re: BMI Scale (small vanity-relatedcorrection) > > > > Just for the record, I should have written "borderline overweight" > rather than "obese." (My current BMI matches Stephen's.) > > --------------------------------------------------------------- > Kenneth M. Steele, Ph.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Department of Psychology http://www.psych.appstate.edu > Appalachian State University > Boone, NC 28608 > USA > --------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
