Originally posted by caltour:

Most obese people can control their problem with moderate exercise and better impulse control. But the 1000lb man has serious medical and mental problems. He would have needed major surgery (gastric bypass, stomach stapling, etc.) and heavy-duty psychotherapy to avoid his obesity problem.




You're very right - this is a whole different class of obesity and must be treated in a very different way. But, to say it's purely genetic is wrong. To say he's not predisposed with an inherent ability to gain weight is, IMO also wrong. It's the good ol' combo of nature AND nurture.

After a certain point, the wife should have said to herself, "Ok, he's got something wrong," and tried to help. He obviously wasn't in the state of mind to help himself.

Derek Scion xB 5-spd Previous: 2000 Silver Frost SVT Please share the road with cyclists.