Serotonin and dopamine are extremely important neurotransmitters in the brain.  For those who do not know, a neurotransmitter is a chemical that relays signals through neurons (brain cells).  These chemicals are responsible for all of the emotions and feelings that we experience as human beings.  Cynically, it can be depressing to break down the human experience into two or any number of chemicals; doing so robs us of the mystery behind our uniqueness as a species.  For purposes of obesity research, however, these linkages are paramount in understanding and promoting the addiction model of disease for obesity.  Whether it is a McDonald's Big Mac or a whiff of cocaine, the culprits responsible for the euphoric "high" are often the same.

Here is a video giving a more detailed description of work that's been done to verify food addiction.  One thought I had after watching this video was that maybe there is a way to promote the pleasure-center stimulation that acts to overpower the stimulation brought on by food cravings.  Is there a more primitive sense (such as the limbic system and olfaction in the primitive brain) that can be used to overpower the pleasure-center activity caused by food?

With these scientific revelations, how does the public health field go about tackling the unwieldy problem that is obesity?  Many critics harp on the futility of public health campaigns in the absence of policy reform.  Through my research, however, I have come to believe that presenting the multi-faceted disorder as an addictive affliction of the mind can help diminish the stigma.  Additionally, I broadcasting its negative implications in a similar manner done in anti-cigarette campaigns would be effective in urging people to seek treatment.

My research has unveiled consensus in the scientific and public health communities that lifestyle modification and cognitive behavioral therapy can be successful in treating obesity.  With regards to demonstrating negative effects of food addiction to the public, one needs not look further than anti-smoking campaigns.  Accepted in the sphere of economics is the idea that people respond to incentives.  One of the most powerful incentives one can employ is fear.  Given that displaying graphic imagery on cigarette campaign ads has shown a drastic effect in encouraging people to quit the habit of smoking, I believe that showing graphic images related to being obese might be effective in encouraging people to seek treatment.  I am still compiling evidence that might be able to apply more directly to obesity.

Fight on, Happy Thanksgiving, and Stay Healthy!

-Graham

On Election Day, I thought this might be an appropriate forum to vent my political frustrations.  I shamefully admit that I took the Facebook bait last night and engaged in political discussion on someone's status.  I abhor these posts.  No one ever manages to convince another person; the "discussion" eventually morphs into meaningless name-calling; and more often than not, one side is usually wrong (to me!).  One of my friends proclaimed his endorsement of President Obama because he supports same-sex marriage and that anyone who voted otherwise would be voting against basic human rights.  In a seemingly "troll"-like fashion, a girl responded with a slew of grossly inaccurate and blatantly offensive accusations against the president including.  She claimed that it's not fair for her to make money and that money be taken away from her and given to "low life pieces of shit."  She expounded on this profound statement by citing an Obama ad that stated Obama would take money from the rich and give it to the "less fortunate."  I normally try to abstain from these frays for reasons discussed above, but for some reason her comparison of the "less fortunate" to "low-life pieces of shit" irked me in such a way that I succumbed to the political frenzy.  Needless to say, nothing was accomplished.  This ignorant, Fox-indoctrinated girl will continue her contribution to making this country dumber (I am not just name-calling here; she actually made numerous statements diminishing the importance of education), while other reasonable posters and I will remain puzzled by such abominations' influential foothold in society.

I know you may be wondering what this has to do with obesity.  Well, her ridiculous comparison reflects a mindset that I believe coincides strongly with the stigma toward obesity.  Just as there is an incredibly large (and powerful) sector of the country who agrees with Romney that the poor people are all "parasites"who make no effort to better themselves, there is an association of obesity with irresponsibility and moral shortcomings (for gorging themselves all the time).  Granted, the basic mathematic relation of consuming more calories than one burns resides at the core of most obese and overweight issues.  My research has shown, however, that an addictive component underlies a lot of binge-eating that contributes to obesity.  Marketing the addiction model of disease has the power to mediate the negative stigma associated with the disorder because the victim is then understood to biologically lack control.

On the public health front, I would like to commend Michelle Obama for her tremendous efforts to combat childhood obesity.  By changing the food pyramid to the "food plate," she has projected a new model of eating into the American consciousness that notable chef and writer Mark Bittman has advocated for years—that is, to make vegetables and healthy grains the stars of the meal and reducing dairy and meats to become a garnish.  The implications for this switch reach far beyond obesity and could mitigate the prevalence of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and many other associated diseases.  And that's to say nothing of the tremendous environmental benefit to consuming less meat (raising cattle is one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions).  Although I am sure people like the Facebook girl will declare this another front of the war on freedom, I have hope that the energy and focus of the first lady will enhance efforts to curb obesity.  

Even more so than obesity, poverty is a multi-faceted issue whose complexity will likely not be mitigated by public health campaigns, 12-step programs, and pharmaceuticals.  Though a simplification, last night's foray into the fruitless social-media political forum illustrates the choice that millions of Americans and I have to make today.  There is the choice between two mentalities of curing America's disease.  One advocates avoiding getting sick and locking our privileged selves in our ivory towers.  The other wants everyone to contribute a little bit to helping the "less fortunate."  Call me a socialist, but before you do, take a couple hours and do some research on Mormonism; I think you will find that the religion's structure shares some striking similarities to the ideologies that Obama is attacked for supporting.

Happy Election Day Everyone!