Chapter 9 was a chapter that made a large impact on me. The information withing the reading was very informative and provided new information as well as putting a name to many things I may have experienced or witnessed in the past without knowing exactly what it was. the first thing that stuck out to me in the chapter was the Mediterranean diet. This diet surprised me greatly, as it was heavily focused on beans, nuts, and olive oil, which are not necessarily what you think of when you think diet. However, it is “widely considered to be one of the most healthy, safe, and balanced diets” (Donatelle, 2019, p. 214). This was extremely surprising to me, as it did not strike me as a healthy diet, yet it is considered one of the best. i suppose that it being safe and balanced makes more sense, and that contributes to the outcomes of it being a more long-term effect diet.
The second thing that stuck out to me in the chapter was the instances of severe or dramatic weight loss. It was extremely surprising to me that, while they must be regulated highly by professionals, very-low-calorie diets are a plausible solution. We always hear about not getting enough calories being such a bad thing, yet this diet, while rare, is promoting just that. On top of this, such things as gastric bypass is a thing as well. “In gastric bypass, up to 70 percent of the stomach is sutured off, drastically reducing how much food a person can eat and absorb” (Donatelle, 2019, p. 216). It is crazy to think the lengths that some people have to go in order ot get back to a state in which they can become and remain healthy.
The final thing in the chapter that caught my attention was the effects of obesity. While we generally know that obesity can be a gateway to other health risks and diseases, it struck me that “Obese populations have a 42 percent higher annual health care cost than healthy-weight populations” (Donatelle, 2019, p. 205). While this is something that makes sense, it is not something that I initially considered when thinking of the effects of obesity. We often tend to think of the health aspects first rather than the life effects as well.
In terms of my health aspect, body image plays a big role. I guess that my post last week was a week too early, as I talked about body image there. While I don’t look at myself in a negative light when it comes to my body, I do know that I am slightly overweight , so I think that had a major implication on my health aspect. On top of this, I am constantly active, so I know that I am healthy and in shape, just not at the weight I wish to be at. However, I also look back on the times that I use to motivate myself during my health aspect and see an underweight kid. I definitely have a hard time seeing the best in myself and my body sometimes, but I do know that I can be appreciative at times. While I do think that we all may struggle with our body image at times, I think not only are our health aspects helping in terms of getting us on the path to improving that, but also, it might be showing us just how appreciative of our bodies we should be because we are now making ourselves better and healthier along the way. The picture I included this week is a telling one in terms of body image. This picture used to be one of my favorites because it reminded me of a great race in my career and served as motivation to keep going and aiming for great success. However, the picture now has a double meaning to me. I am still able to look back and appreciate the success the picture represents and the happiness I felt while running and, in particular, racing, but I now also see it as me at my skinniest weight and makes me realize that I never want to be as skinny as I was then. Some may look and scoff at this, but I do feel that cross country and track manipulated me into thinking that being underweight was healthy and the best way to get successful in the sport. However, I gained 10 pounds my senior year and not only felt healthier, but also performed better in my sport. Therefore, it taught me that I was not required to be underweight and did not have to starve myself to be successful. I have generally had a good relationship with food, my weight, and my body ever since.
BSU Health 102 - Kyle Rendon 