Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-14

How big is "neaI''? Without controlled supervision
at every meal of us accurately judge how much
we really eat Interviews with overweight patients ndi
cate that when people say they like Bird they really
mean they still hungry after meal In many cases,
they have already eaten entirely enough even though
they may not realize it.
Age won't add pounds. 1t is nor normal TO put on
weight with age. Actually, we acquire our full set of
muscles at about IS. Any weight after that is fat =
the result of eating much but getting less exercise
What should you weigh? The average weight" tables
give many of false feeling of confidence. But
such tables tell what people weigh certain age,
not what they should weigh. If you suspect you're
weight if you gaining - consult your doctor.
From recent research we now know that most mod
eratey obese people are victims of creeping over
weight" They are fat because of two problems that
can and should be corrected = bad eating habits and
lack Of exercise.
The bad habit group is the product of social Gus
toms and environment Among certain social groups,
the refusal eat and drink excessively is considered
lack of manners. Hosts are compelled by custom to
force food on their guests.
second large group of excessively sedentary people
are the victims of of the misconceptions about
obesity OF late exercise has been rdcued 1t has been
claimed that exercise burns up very little fat and further
that any increase in physical activity is automatl
cay followed by an increase in appetite and so becomes
Self-defeatng reducing aid
The faacy of these claims has now been proved in the
Nutrition Department at Harvard. In one study OF
obese high-school girls found they ate than
similar group of normaweight classmates = but they
exercised far less. When these girls got exercise,
they Immediately took off weight
Modern life, unfortunately, conSpireS against our par
ticipaton in active exercise. AS result OF modern
mechanzaton the housewife though often fatgued at
the end of the day. performs far less hard physical work
than her l9hcentury forebearS. regular program OF
daily exercise, long walk if nothing more, is the best
attack against creeping overweight"
For those who overeat because of bad habits, decl
sive re-educaton in diet is essential First people with
marked obesity should reduce but only under the drec
ton of doctor diettian Then the more difficult
problem of maintaining the healthier weight can be
tackled This maintenance diet should include a
daily portion of lean fish and ample amount
of fruits and vegetables. 1t should avoid fried foods,
Shortcomings butter cream and alcoholic beverages.
Obesity has many complexities. Scientists recognize
other causal factors, such as emotions. We all know
how tragic illness can make us lose our appetite
and then many people turn to overeatng relieve their
tensions, to compensate for failures.
Researchers continue to study this many-sded prob
lem. But already that fad diets and drugs
which promise relief from obesity, unless prescribed by
your doctor, should be avoided They require constant
medical supervision to prevent serious damage to other
h0dy