Question:
While watching the morning news today, I saw an interview with Dr. J. Evert Coup (sp?). During his interview, he made a general statement that obesity was simply the product of a lack of will power! This seemed terribly unenlightened to me. We know that appetite is related to serotonin just as certain mechanisms of panic attacks are related to serotonin. As with panic attacks, appetite is a very primitive sensation that can be overwhelming; as is evident by the desparate acts of starving people. I found Coup’s statement to be as disturbing and misleading as past misconceptions about panic disorder being a matter of will power. Does anyone else find this upsetting too? Best Wishes, Arthur
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While watching the morning news today, I saw an interview with Dr. J. Evert Coup (sp?). During his interview, he made a general statement that obesity was simply the product of a lack of will power! This seemed terribly unenlightened to me. We know that appetite is related to serotonin just as certain mechanisms of panic attacks are related to serotonin. As with panic attacks, appetite is a very primitive sensation that can be overwhelming; as is evident by the desparate acts of starving people. I found Coup’s statement to be as disturbing and misleading as past misconceptions about panic disorder being a matter of will power. Does anyone else find this upsetting too? Best Wishes, Arthur
I think it was spelled Koop (like Kook). Never did agree with anything he said when he was Surgeon General. As far as I am concerned being overweight is hereditary, so I don’t lay those guilt trips on myself. I watch fats and junk, but its a matter of eating what I want and when I want. Good thing I don’t have that much of an appetite anyway and eat a lot of soups. When I go to restaurants it’s usually Chinese or Italian. My cholesterol has been in the high red-zone for ten years and I stopped taking meds. for it. I also don’t go for diets and Richard Simmons drives me up a wall more that Barney! — "I am an alumni of the black hole and the silent scream." Andre Aubin
Response:
While watching the morning news today, I saw an interview with Dr. J. Evert Coup (sp?). During his interview, he made a general statement that obesity was simply the product of a lack of will power! This seemed terribly unenlightened to me. We know that appetite is related to
<snipped Never heard of him, Arthur. Tell me, did he get his M.D. off the back of a cornflake packet? Such ignorance is profoundly disturbing. I *do* hope he isn’t influential in your country… — Gary Cooper
Response:
: While watching the morning news today, I saw an interview : with Dr. J. Evert Coup (sp?). During his interview, he … Correction: that’s C. Everett Koop. Sorry for the gross misspelling. Best Wishes, Arthur
Response:
Never heard of him, Arthur. Tell me, did he get his M.D. off the back of a cornflake packet? Such ignorance is profoundly disturbing. I *do* hope he isn’t influential in your country… — Gary Cooper
Hi Gary, He was the Surgeon General. (The highest ranking medical position in U.S., advises President) Looks a little like a cross between Colonel Sanders and the Quaker Oats gut. CW
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While watching the morning news today, I saw an interview with Dr. J. Evert Coup (sp?). During his interview, he made a general statement that obesity was simply the product of a lack of will power! This seemed terribly unenlightened to me. We know that appetite is related to serotonin just as certain mechanisms of panic attacks are related to serotonin. As with panic attacks, appetite is a very primitive sensation that can be overwhelming; as is evident by the desparate acts of starving people. I found Coup’s statement to be as disturbing and misleading as past misconceptions about panic disorder being a matter of will power. Does anyone else find this upsetting too? Best Wishes, Arthur
Arthur, Of course will power plays an important role in every aspect of life….but I don’t think it’s "the" answer to obesity.I eat when I’m bored, I eat when I’m hungry, I eat when I watch TV…I eat all the friggin time.Luckily, I’ve been kepping my weight under control by excerisize.I figure I’ll eat whatever I want to but just have the will to get on the blessed treadmill(that’s the part that takes will power!) In this world of barbie-doll look alikes, health food stores on every corner, and doctors to try and keep you in line, I get pissed off just thinking about people like Cher(although I love her music) on commercials pushing gym club when she herself took hold of the smiling solution of PLASTIC SURGERY and liposuction!!!!!!woohooo.Why do we feel we must vacuum our fat to feel loved in this society? Excuse the rambling…. Kit
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – obesity was simply the product of a lack of will power! Well, there has been tons of experiments in wich they give the same amount of food and the same amount of exercise to rats, and one will gain more weigh than the other. They are finally saying that ‘fat cells’ are in the genes. For instance (some will hate me for this…) I can’t get fat. I’ve never been fat. And I can eat as much as I want. Genes?? Rosita Wearing size 5 jeans because of her genes?
OH Gee Whiz Rosita. Trying to make the rest of us feel like tubbo’s? (Just kidding) I’m a giant size 8. I could beat you up! LOL!!!! My son is very chubby. He eats healthy food. I think it’s in the genes for him though. <big big sigh susan Benzo Girl
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Actually, he was Surgeon General in recent years. (sigh)
Oh, good grief! 
I *assume* this is a political appointment? I hope you’ve got rid of him now… — Gary Cooper
Response:
obesity was simply the product of a lack of will power!
Well, there has been tons of experiments in wich they give the same amount of food and the same amount of exercise to rats, and one will gain more weigh than the other. They are finally saying that ‘fat cells’ are in the genes. For instance (some will hate me for this…) I can’t get fat. I’ve never been fat. And I can eat as much as I want. Genes?? Rosita Wearing size 5 jeans because of her genes?
Response:
Hi all, I don’t think Dr. Koop’s statement was very well thought out at all. Here in my town we have had a rash of problem with a group of Drs. perscribing diet meds. when they were not appropriate followed by one death and one license suspension. One of my student’s dies after surgical treatment in Houston. Many people, myself included, could use better eating habits and more exercise but there are definitely genetic dispositions toward weight, medical conditions, and medications that cause weight gain and to ignore them is unreasonable. If a person is overweight, its basically their choice as to whether to work on it or not. (I’m trying to do this but realize that it may be a lifetime fight. Because of my hypertension, I have decided that its worth the effort.) I think the major point Dr. Koop should have stressed healthful habits and avoid quack treatments and dangerous drugs or radical (fad) diets. Tommy
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -While watching the morning news today, I saw an interview with Dr. J. Evert Coup (sp?). During his interview, he made a general statement that obesity was simply the product of a lack of will power! This seemed terribly unenlightened to me. We know that appetite is related to serotonin just as certain mechanisms of panic attacks are related to serotonin. As with panic attacks, appetite is a very primitive sensation that can be overwhelming; as is evident by the desparate acts of starving people. I found Coup’s statement to be as disturbing and misleading as past misconceptions about panic disorder being a matter of will power. Does anyone else find this upsetting too? Best Wishes, Arthur
Hi Arthur, I do find Koop’s statement upsetting, especially in light of the contributions he has made, particularly in the area of tobacco and public health. A comment like that, from such a prominent figure in public health, can do great damage to obese people (of which I am one). It can only serve to distract people from looking at the real causes of obesity, which I suspect have very little to do with "will power", except perhaps in a small minority. Sad that he should say such a thing. Best wishes, Hirsch address in header has been changed to avoid junk mail
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