The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-08
Why Be Fat
By H. ADDINGroN BRUCE

Lately publicity has been given some medi cal findings stressing the factor of heridity 1T cases of obesity. It is important that thi: be not popularly misinterpreted as meaning that if one grows uncomfortably stout noth ing can be done about it, since heredity is tc blame-and, indeed, that the growing stout is itself the fault of, heredity.
 Nine times out of ten blame for the stout ness rests chiefly with dietic indiscretions Even in the case of those who have inherited a tendency to obesity much may be done to hold this in check by establishing wise eat. ing habits.
 If such habits are not established, no in herited tendency need be invoked to explain the obesity that results And unfortunately so far as their eating habits are concerned no end of people resemble the young lady of whom c. H. Ceilings amusingly sings;
 Mary had little lamb,
 With gravy and mint sauce,
 Potatoes, cabbage, and green peas
 (She ate the lot of course).
 She followed up with cherry tarts-
 Twas not against her rule!
 second helping, cheese and bread,
 Just packed her nicely full.
 Three little meals like this each day,ss-,
 Helped out with chocolates, s4
 Provoke the pathologic fray,
 Likewise, averaging Fates.'
 Only those who have inherited an invinci- ble tendency to leanness can thus eat with impunity, as regards avoidance of growing stout. All others, whatever their inheritance, may expect to put. on weight, perhaps to 2 disfiguring and alarming extent.
 But, having putit on, it usually is possible to take it off, provided one is willing to diet more vigorously than would have been neces- sary to prevent the accumulation of fat, In especial the fat-forming foods-the oily. starchy and sugary foods-haEe to be cut down or cut out entirely. Also weight-reduc- ing exercise needs to be taken.
 This, obviously, makes a pretty severe de- mand on the obese, and the demand is the more severe in that, as rule, the obese are averse to exercise and are particularly fond of the foods they must avoid. Hence the fail ure of many who should reduce, to make any real effort at reduction.
 "Its not worth all the trouble it costs" they petulantly exclaim, land any way it's not such serious matter to be fat"
 Actually it may be an exceedingly serious matter To summarize modern medical pro- nouncements regarding the risks which the obese run
 "There is close connection. between over weight and diabetes. The obese are pecu- liarlv liable to suffer from this disease, and it would seem that the overeating of starchy and sugary substances may lead to a patho- logical glycosuria and the production of dia- betes.
 Obesity is a strain on the heart and the IA l...4 nr.1 cramps the lungs. It makes people bear Op- erations badly. It is a serious bar to long exnectancy of life. Except in the single in- stance of tuberculosis, the obese are dis advantaged in the struggle against any dis ease"
 Under these circumstances, weight reduc- tion is surely worth sincere effort on the part of those who need it. And, as stated, weight reduction particularly under medical direc- tion, usually is within the realm of possibility, So why be fat?