Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-15

/ tiently investigating the vital processes
of the body. seeking to learn what hap
pens when food is converted into energy
and into tissue. They now know that
our bodies are living machines OF the
combustion type in which the burning
OF fuel food Is accomplished by the
consumption OF oxygen, the liberation
OF heat energy, and the production of
carbon dioxide. as Is the case in all
combustion engines.
1T is upon the combustion OF 1000
materials that all OF the life processes
and the vital activities OF the body
depend. When the muscles are called
upon to perform unusual tasks. as Tor
example In swimming or running, COM
btistion is accelerated and more oxygen
is consumed. On the other hand, there
are conditions. as In sleep or IN III
health, when combustion drops below
the normal level, whereupon the con-
sumption OF oxygen decreases
Data on the relation OF diet to weight
have been developed in the laboratory,
the persons undergoing the tests being
fed special diets and carefully observed
by the scientists. In one case man
tasted 81 days and lost 90 pounds. 1t
has been learned that but one small pat
of butter, corresponding TO 10 grams
In excess Of persons needs eaten,
each day for a year, will cause an In
crease In weight Of eight pounds. Two
extra Jumps of sugar eaten each day
throughout year, or the equivalent
amount of candy, say nougatine, Will
also cause the same increase in weight.
DIScUSSTNG this subject of weight.
DDr. Benedict points out that during
youth and the period OF rapid growth.
indeed up to 80 years Of age, statistics
show clearly that overweight Is a dis
tinct asset toward longevity. Beyond
30 years 1t becomes liability. The
keen appetite for food so fortunately
provided for us by nature during the
period of youth and activity has es-
tablished such a Arm habit UPON US
that the tendency is 10 keep up the food
intake, Notwithstanding the fact that
with advancing age the physical
activities are lessened and there Is
therefore an ever decreasing heat out
put. The inevitable result Is increase
In weight, which begins with plump
ness. passes through embonpoint and
finally ends up In obesity, which should
always be called fatness
THE chief cause Of obesity Is over
eating. Contributory factors may be
errors Of diet. errors In exercise, and
certain pathological conditions. But
when you cat little more than YOU
burn up, IL must be deposited In the
body Fortunately for most people. in
telligcnt dietetic attention viii control
weight, but as the increase In weight
is usually not sudden but comes on
with insidious surety during two. three
or more years the removal Of weight
should likewise be slow.
The effect of rapid loss Of weight
Is. of course, most gtrikingiy shown
with the fasting individual, but for the
ordinary person rapid reduction Is a
distinctly dangerous procedure,
mild reduction In food intake, even no
more than simply ruling out visible
| fats. will accomplish great deal II
. u1ust not be forgotten. however, that
obesity is a condition demanding full
est cooperation with q skilled physi-
! clan !"
n
THE importance of the institutions
vital energy studies Is sb2an In the
fact that many Of the worHs leading