Once activity level and diet composition are accounted for, the relationship between body size and physical health is rather weak. Ideal weight should be redefined as the natural weight the body adopts given a healthy diet and meaningful levels of physical activity. In light of these conclusions, the promotion of weight loss as a health education goal presents a number of ethical challenges, espeically in a society where body size is wrongly equated with personal worth and social acceptability. Steven R. Hawks, EdD, CHES, and Julie A. Gast, PhD, CHES, are both associate professors in the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at Utah State University. Bray GA, York B, Delany J. A survey of the opinions of obesity experts on the causes and treatments of obesity.
Public health approaches to the management of obesity.
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