What’s the relationship between burning mouse scat and understanding the reasons for human obesity? That’s what this article is about. Looks like they’ve taken the first steps in disproving the simple thermodynamics theory of weight gain scientifically.
I feel about this the same way I do about man-made Global Warming. Even if there is a kernel of truth, as a practical matter the issue isn’t “does it?” but “how much?” In the case of MMGW its painfully clear that if any of it is true its immaterial, and absolutely dwarfed by the policy actions of developing countries. The US and Europe are contemplating our navels and committing economic suicide.
In the case of mouse “scat” the theory must be that some of the calorie input is diverted into stored fat (or muscle) rather than down the proverbial poop chute. But the money line, at least at this point, is that the dear little mice had to have calorie intake reduced 10-15% to bring them in line. In a human adult, that would be, say, 250 calories a day. In a child, more. That’s a small ice cream cone. A half a donut. Hell, a bowl of cereal with 2% milk.
Ask yourself – after considering all the obese people you witness eating bags of potato chips, Doritos, candy, Big Macs, alcohol, loads of dressing on the salad, a second helping of pasta etc (those things come in the handy 500-1500 calorie dose) – if the prescription isn’t still moderate exercise and calorie intake control. There is your 250 calories.
If this theory turns out to have merit, here’s a benjie that says the number of people who’s metabolic processes are so corrupted that the diet and exercise prescription doesn’t work, is vanishingly small.
PS –
Off to my “juicing” lunch: carrots and celery, bok choy or cabbage, and endive, red and yellow peppers, spinach or kale, broccoli, garlic and onion, usually parsley… all augmented by Green Machine.
Beware, folks. What they say about fiber? All true.
All the article does is indicate some need to work harder than others to control their weight. Someone didn’t know this?
I don’t believe in ‘absolute’ knowledge about anything — whether it involves obesity causation, global warming, or any other scientific, intellectual, political, spiritual inquiries into truth and facts. There is so much we don’t know about the integral workings of life, death, and everything in between, that the most we can do is offer an earnest speculation, spurred on by what we think we know.
If I recall correctly – and I do – Dave relayed that he had gone on a weight loss program with, as you might imagine, strict controls on calories and exercise, but didn’t seem satisfied with the results.
Since I believe Dave that he has the discipline to do that it may be that exceptions to pure in-and-out exist. I just think one will find that its a tiny minority.