A group of us met yesterday to discuss a research project designed to reduce the risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes. We plan to use the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) guidelines for Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity. As I visited students completing their practicums over the last few weeks, it was clear that obesity is a significant problem associated with health issues.
The tragic issue associated with obesity is that the problem interferes with the ability to exercise. Obesity often take a toll destroying knees and hips. It reminds me of one of my favorite cardiologists who had a serious weight problem. He was an avid and competitive tennis player in spite of his obesity. In his last days (still in his early 60's) he was unable to walk because of joint problems and eventually died of a stroke. He was an excellent example of a brilliant person "knowing" but unable to "do" - control his weight. I have such fond memories of his warm smile and twinkling (a bit mischievous) eyes.
Today Martha sent me an article about obesity and cancer. The March issue of Cancer has an article entitled -
The tragic issue associated with obesity is that the problem interferes with the ability to exercise. Obesity often take a toll destroying knees and hips. It reminds me of one of my favorite cardiologists who had a serious weight problem. He was an avid and competitive tennis player in spite of his obesity. In his last days (still in his early 60's) he was unable to walk because of joint problems and eventually died of a stroke. He was an excellent example of a brilliant person "knowing" but unable to "do" - control his weight. I have such fond memories of his warm smile and twinkling (a bit mischievous) eyes.
Today Martha sent me an article about obesity and cancer. The March issue of Cancer has an article entitled -
"Annual Report to the Nation on the status of cancer, 1975-2008, featuring cancers associated with excess weight and lack of sufficient physical activity" written by Eheman et. al. The article notes that while cancer rates are falling - obesity is a factor in types of cancers that are growing in incidence.
The journal article has spurred a flurry of news articles, such as:
The message to me personally is that I need to blog and check email less and work in the yard more (exercise) getting flower beds ready to put out pine straw :-). 
