Health care (the irony in this term doesn’t escape me) professionals are misguided, and they are in turn misguiding everyone else.  The alleged War on Obesity is analogous to a country fighting a war against itself – the fighting creates more conflict and is self-perpetuating.

Prescribing diets and weight loss pills results in weight gain for the vast majority of users, who in turn feel shame and avoid seeing their doctor because they “failed.” 

Labeling people as unhealthy based on their height to weight ratio recklessly turns a blind eye to their actual health and doesn’t take into account whether their organ systems are functioning properly, if the individual is mentally healthy, or a person’s quality of life.  Sure, the low carb diet might temporarily produce weight loss, but at what cost?  Nobody can live like this forever and experience a fulfilling life. 

Health care needs to be redefined as caring for our health.  Are you sleeping well?  Are you nourishing your body?  Are you taking your medications as prescribed?  Are you moving your body? Are you tending to your emotional needs?  These are the questions health care professionals need to be asking, and they need to actually listen to the answers and provide compassionate feedback.