Fat Chicks Rule

Hoodia, doodia

As expected, Hoodia is a bunch of BS as well.

Consumer Alert: Hoodia Gordonii weight loss pills scam exposed by independent investigation

The spam ads that fill your mailbox promise a miracle in a single pill -- an appetite suppressant that makes dieting a snap by killing your desire to eat.

Interest in the plant skyrocketed after a rumor began to circulate that hoodia is the diet drug of choice for the "Desperate Housewives." But popularity aside, experts say proof that hoodia works is anecdotal, that little research has been done to confirm the assumption it has no side effects, and that consumers who are buying the supplements over the Internet may not be getting what they're paying for.

Hoodia cacti are native to the semi-deserts of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Angola. There are about 20 species in this family but the gordonii is the one that contains a natural appetite suppressant. It thrives in extremely high temperatures, and takes years to mature.

Rest of the Article here.

Isn't fat the cause of everything?

The Perils of Obesity May Include the Doctor

This is an important issue to me.  I earlier posted about an altercation I had with my ex-doctor after she suggested trying lap-band surgery.  I worry that fat people don't get the health care they need.  We are turned down for health insurance or given higher premiums.  When we got to the doctor for anything we are given a weight lecture.   We go undiagnosed.   We become afraid to mention health problems out of fear of the lecture.  This is especially bad for us fat chicks because of a biased against women in health care.

My last two doctors were recomended by thin folks who both have very different stories from mine about how they were treated.   My previous doctor (before the weight loss surgery one) was recommended because he used both Western and eastern medicine.  I really didn't like the item of taking medication.

When my thin friend went to this doctor he would push homeopathetic remedies on her before trying conventional medication.  When I went he pushed medication on me.  I ended up on four medications (thanksfully I am down to two).  I decided to leave him when he remarked that my blood pressure had gone back to normal.  My blood pressure was never abnormal.

It's important to get a yearly check-up and for us chicks a year pap smear. Don't be afraid to do it.  Don't be afraid to tell the doctor off.  I'm very mild mannered and laid back but I let my doctor have it.   You deserve the right to health care.

Dieting teens are overweight later

Teenagers who diet or use unhealthy weight  control behaviours are more likely to be overweight in the future, a new study suggests.

A team of researchers looked at over 2,000 adolescents and then followed them up five years later. They wanted to determine if those who reported dieting and different weight control behaviours were at an increased risk for obesity and eating disorders.

The study found that adolescents with unhealthy weight control behaviours were three times more likely to be overweight five years later.

http://www.irishhealth.com/?level=4&id=9328

Phat, FATA and Stupid

Phat Girlz
If you haven't see Phat Girlz yet, go see it.  Of course I've been bad because I haven't seen it yet but I will try this week.  Unfortunately it has only been released on 1000 screens! (An average movie has about the 2500 screens give or take.)

Had Phat Girlz been on more screens, it might have done better. 

FATA
FATA in the academy was great.  I enjoyed the speakers and the atmosphere.  I'm so glad the college generation is getting involved in Fat Acceptance!

I went with four other members of the NYC NAAFA chapter.  On Friday we hit traffic and got there about 5 minutes before the start of the conference.  It opened with author Susan Stinson who spoke a little about the conference then introduced Katie Lebrasco professor and author of "Revolting Bodies" who talked about fat and queer politcies.  Then we broke for dinner and went to Smith's cafeteria.  I got the worst tuna wrap ever.  Getting back we enjoyed Belly dancing and a drag king show. 

On Saturday we started with Paul McAleer of Big Fat Blog, who gave us a wonderful speech about the powers of media (and a plug for my book, yea!), then we grabbed lunch at Sylvesters, ironically named after Sylvester Graham, diet guru.  The food was so-so.  Then we returned where Stephanie Snider gave a lecture about images in dyke and fat journals such as Fat Girl and Size Queens, then there was a WONDERFUL talk from author Pattie Thomas who talked about social culture and fat. 

On Sunday we got a firery sermon from Paul Campos author of the Obesity Myth (a/k/a the Diet Myth).  Then a wonderful reading by Susan Stinson from her novel "Venus of Chalk" and we ended the conference the fabulous Marilyn Wann.

Kudos to the organizers "Size Matters" of Smith College.  I only wish I had the same type of group when I was an undergrad.


STUPIDITY
Are Our Kitchens Making Us Fat? (Got this one from the Fat Studies List).  Then I wonder why I haven't lost weight.  My kitchen is smaller then the one I grow up with, and my last two apartments barely even had kitchens.

Public Citizen today petitioned the

Public Citizen today petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately remove from the market the prescription version of Xenical (orlistat, made by Roche Pharmaceuticals) because the obesity treatment has been known to cause a significant increase in aberrant crypt foci (ACF), which are widely believed to be a precursor to colon cancer.

FATA

Short blog post today because I'm tired.

I came back from Fat and the Academy which BTW was awesome.  The speakers were Katie LeBesco, Paul McAleer, Pattie Thomas, Paul Campos, Susan Stinson and Marilyn Wann.  There were also performances from To The Earth (belly dancing) and Royal Renegades, a drag King Group.  The weekend was very empowering. But as I am currently brain dead I will be posting more about this in a few days.  

Another Edition of the Good, Bad and Ugly.

The Good: I will be at Fat and the Academy this weekend (at Smith College at Northampton, MA).  Although I am not there to sell books, I will bring a couple of copies if people want to buy.  I also will sign autographs. chat, whatever.  What I really like if people in the area to come!

The Bad: Time Magazine helps to spread the rumors about fatness including the incorrect 300,000 number.   As always when in doubt blame fat people.

The Ugly: Apparently we are costing companies $450 to 2500 annually.  This kind of junk science helps in discriminating against fat people.  Should I start calling in fat when I'm sick?  Of course I saw the doctor MORE when I was dieting then when I accepted my own size.