Cookie cutter physicians!

[Doudline]

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You're right, I'll do a scientific study to show that you can get perscription thyroxine. Keep your eye on nature, it's getting published there soon!

Or that some patients aren't responsive to prescription thyroxine. Or that there are (highly) varying degrees of hypothyroidism. Or that millions are uninsured and do not have the means to afford medication. Or that some socio-economical situations make it nigh impossible for some individuals to thrive in their weight loss.

Or simply that one, especially a medical student, cannot simply n=1.

 

[Radon XP]

The overwhelming majority of overweight people aren't overweight because of thyroid issues, though, and even then, your diet impacts your metabolism and your hormonal health.

The truth is...you just need to stop eating trash every day. That's sufficient for 95% of obese people.

 

[911 Turbo]

Worry about your MCAT and GPA, not about your weight. The pretty girl with the 3.5/30 isn't getting in over the 400-pounder with a 3.8/34.

But aren't hot girls technically URM?

 

[KnuxNole]

But aren't hot girls technically URM?

So is a hot girl who is African American an UURM(Ultra URM)? 😛

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I have a thyroid problem and was able to get to around 7% bodyfat. Bad excuse, plus treatment is readily available.

Very few people have legitimate excuses for being fat. I used to be chubby until I kicked my ass and quit eating candy and fast food every day. I'm not jacked right now, but I'm at a comfortable, "normal" level now.

Excuses are easy, work is hard.

The overwhelming majority of overweight people aren't overweight because of thyroid issues, though, and even then, your diet impacts your metabolism and your hormonal health.

The truth is...you just need to stop eating trash every day. That's sufficient for 95% of obese people.

So much truth right here that it deserves a second round of applause

 

[catzzz88]

What do adcoms think of beards?

As long as you don't show up like this, I think beard is okay.

 

[fourhumours]

I have the opposite problem. I'm 20 but am often confused for 25 or hell, even 30 once! It makes me mad. I hope it doesn't count against me for interviews!

I was paranoid about this myself. 24, look like I am 35 (I have been balding since high school...my maternal grandfather did me no favors). I was/am always super self-conscious about how old I look. whether or not it hurt me I don't know (I would say probably since I was usually the only balding applicant) but I know that when I enter internship/residency it will most likely help because patients are gonna subconsciously trust a doctor more who looks 35 than 25.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Or that some patients aren't responsive to prescription thyroxine. Or that there are (highly) varying degrees of hypothyroidism. Or that millions are uninsured and do not have the means to afford medication. Or that some socio-economical situations make it nigh impossible for some individuals to thrive in their weight loss.

Or simply that one, especially a medical student, cannot simply n=1.

I'm sure the overwhelming majority of fat people are in these situations, and aren't just lazy. I'm sure before the obesity epidemic we all just had better thyroids.

I believe you have to be 2 standard deviations from the mean to be diagnosed with a thyroid problem, so that's already a very small percentage of the population. Once you look at the percentage that are untreatable or can't afford medication but can still afford too much food, I think we are looking at such a small percentage that I will still feel safe in my assumptions.

I'm also curious as to why you say socio-economical status makes weight loss nigh impossible. If you're so poor wouldn't that make it even easier to buy and eat less food?

You'll also have to bear with my misspellings, I usually post from my phone and am too lazy to reread before I post.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Or that some patients aren't responsive to prescription thyroxine. Or that there are (highly) varying degrees of hypothyroidism. Or that millions are uninsured and do not have the means to afford medication. Or that some socio-economical situations make it nigh impossible for some individuals to thrive in their weight loss.

Or simply that one, especially a medical student, cannot simply n=1.

These are all excuses..

I am uninsured, come from a low socioeconomic background, and have a slight case of hypothyroidism,

Yet I lost a lot of weight, going from 240ish to 160ish.

While there are varying degrees of hypothyroidism, there is no way that the majority of americans have hypothyroidism.

U.S. prevalence for hypothyroidism is roughly 0.3% of the U.S. population.

0.3% of 314 million U.S. individuals = 942,000.

According to the CDC, 30% of Americans are obese, and approximately 60% are overweight or obese.

so 100 million obese - ~1 million = 99 million obese people that are no hypothyroid.

I hate when people find every excuse in the book except admitting to the fact that they are too lazy to get off the couch and work hard to lose weight.

 

[Doudline]

These are all excuses..

I am uninsured, come from a low socioeconomic background, and have a slight case of hypothyroidism,

Yet I lost a lot of weight, going from 240ish to 160ish.

While there are varying degrees of hypothyroidism, there is no way that the majority of americans have hypothyroidism.

U.S. prevalence for hypothyroidism is roughly 0.3% of the U.S. population.

0.3% of 314 million U.S. individuals = 942,000.

According to the CDC, 30% of Americans are obese, and approximately 60% are overweight or obese.

so 100 million obese - ~1 million = 99 million obese people that are no hypothyroid.

I hate when people find every excuse in the book except admitting to the fact that they are too lazy to get off the couch and work hard to lose weight.

That really wasn't my point though. I was only stating that the anecdotal evidence sliceofbread136 -and now you- was putting forward in this matter made no sense, because there are endless variables to take in account.

I also lost a bunch of weight in the past few year and am now proud to say that my fitness level is quite decent. But I also know that I managed to do that because I was educated, had a great support system, lots of free time and money, etc.

More than 20% of adults in the USA do not have a functional level of literacy. They do not have the ability to read People magazine, and you expect them to read nutritional labels or articles and books about exercise? Likewise, how can adolescents and young adults understand the value of healthy habits (or simply what those are really) when the USA have one of the worst Phys. Ed. education system in the developed world and, quite frankly, the population in general don't give a **** if you're healthy as long as you're thin (the two being put in the same bundle for some reason) ?

I'm very glad for you that you shed all of those pounds, especially if you come from a more difficult background, but you do not represent the 100 millions of obese Americans. You represent yourself, and obviously live in a very tiny world if you don't realize that there is more to obesity than laziness. For many people it's far more complicated than "getting off of the couch and getting to work". I hope for your own good that you realize that someday.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

That really wasn't my point though. I was only stating that the anecdotal evidence sliceofbread136 -and now you- was putting forward in this matter made no sense, because there are endless variables to take in account.

I also lost a bunch of weight in the past few year and am now proud to say that my fitness level is quite decent. But I also know that I managed to do that because I was educated, had a great support system, lots of free time and money, etc.

More than 20% of adults in the USA do not have a functional level of literacy. They do not have the ability to read People magazine, and you expect them to read nutritional labels or articles and books about exercise? Likewise, how can adolescents and young adults understand the value of healthy habits (or simply what those are really) when the USA have one of the worst Phys. Ed. education system in the developed world and, quite frankly, the population in general don't give a **** if you're healthy as long as you're thin (the two being put in the same bundle for some reason) ?

I'm very glad for you that you shed all of those pounds, especially if you come from a more difficult background, but you do not represent the 100 millions of obese Americans. You represent yourself, and obviously live in a very tiny world if you don't realize that there is more to obesity than laziness. For many people it's far more complicated than "getting off of the couch and getting to work". I hope for your own good that you realize that someday.

actually, the literacy rate is not 80% but 99%
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2103.html

the 100 obese americans mainly consist of people ages 18-40. Thus, the adolescent argument is irrelevant.

I already said that my experience is n=1, but if I am able to do it from a poor background, I am sure that most obese Americans cannot use the poverty argument.

Other than clinical concerns, what other reasons to obesity besides laziness is there? Granted some people are content with being fat/overweight, but what other reason is there?

And you say its more complicated, but you provide no evidence to support most of what your claims...

 

[KnuxNole]

actually, the literacy rate is not 80% but 99%
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2103.html

the 100 obese americans mainly consist of people ages 18-40. Thus, the adolescent argument is irrelevant.

I already said that my experience is n=1, but if I am able to do it from a poor background, I am sure that most obese Americans cannot use the poverty argument.

Other than clinical concerns, what other reasons to obesity besides laziness is there? Granted some people are content with being fat/overweight, but what other reason is there?

And you say its more complicated, but you provide no evidence to support most of what your claims...

IIRC Obesity is more prevalent in older people...hell the young generation are the main people who care about being fit. If I wasn't on phone I'd try to find a source :/

 

[TheLadyVanishes]

n=1 but there's not a perfect correlation between "laziness" and obesity. I am not overweight, but I don't go to the gym and oh noes, eat whatever I want. OTOH, I have co-workers who are overweight but pick at salads and fruit for lunch and go to the gym everyday or run half marathons. We all have the same job, which means I'm controlling for income level and physical activity at work.
I'm guessing it boils down to metabolism and genetics, as well as the fact that I'm somewhat younger than most of my co-workers. Losing weight gets more difficult with age; a physiology prof I had once mentioned a vicious cycle for women in particular, having children as their metabolism slows in their late 20s and 30s, gaining 20 lbs with each child, and not being able to lose it if they have to go straight to their desk job for lack of maternity leave. So 2 or 3 children later and they're overweight or obese.
Also - and I'm drawing from my personal experience - there are some low-level service or technical jobs where you aren't physically active, but they can be very stressful. This is even worse if it is shift work, if you work more than one job (sleep deprivation), and if you have other issues such as underlying health problems or family issues. After a day like that, you will feel "tired" and "hungry" even if you haven't burned any calories. Skipping dinner or going to the gym feels out of the question.
I'm not saying that there aren't overweight people who might be overweight because of a poor diet and lack of physical activity, but if I were their PCP, I would listen as to what their reasons are and why they perceive barriers.
And lastly, I am no idealist, as I have dealt with co-workers and family who have serious health issues that they simply won't take care of, and I know that it is quite frustrating.

 

[sliceofbread136]

That really wasn't my point though. I was only stating that the anecdotal evidence sliceofbread136 -and now you- was putting forward in this matter made no sense, because there are endless variables to take in account.

I also lost a bunch of weight in the past few year and am now proud to say that my fitness level is quite decent. But I also know that I managed to do that because I was educated, had a great support system, lots of free time and money, etc.

More than 20% of adults in the USA do not have a functional level of literacy. They do not have the ability to read People magazine, and you expect them to read nutritional labels or articles and books about exercise? Likewise, how can adolescents and young adults understand the value of healthy habits (or simply what those are really) when the USA have one of the worst Phys. Ed. education system in the developed world and, quite frankly, the population in general don't give a **** if you're healthy as long as you're thin (the two being put in the same bundle for some reason) ?

I'm very glad for you that you shed all of those pounds, especially if you come from a more difficult background, but you do not represent the 100 millions of obese Americans. You represent yourself, and obviously live in a very tiny world if you don't realize that there is more to obesity than laziness. For many people it's far more complicated than "getting off of the couch and getting to work". I hope for your own good that you realize that someday.

How educated do you need to be to realize that if you eat less you'll lose weight?

I agree that thin=/=healthy, but being obese is terrible for your health. If you are obese I just don't see why you can't just eat less? Even if you are poor and very busy, easting less will save you money and time. Seems win-win to me.

 

[Lambda Phage]

How educated do you need to be to realize that if you eat less you'll lose weight?

I agree that thin=/=healthy, but being obese is terrible for your health. If you are obese I just don't why you can't just eat less? Even if you are poor and very busy, easting less will save you money and time. Seems win-win to me.

Hormones (e.g., leptin, ghrelin, peptide Y, etc.); It's harder for some people to "just eat less" than they otherwise would.

Fortunately I can eat all I want and not put on any weight. 👍

 

[Doctor Strange]

Hormones. It's harder for some people to "just eat less" than they otherwise would.

Fortunately I can eat all I want and not put on any weight. 👍

Bless my Asian genes.

 

[KnuxNole]

Hormones. It's harder for some people to "just eat less" than they otherwise would.

Fortunately I can eat all I want and not put on any weight. 👍

That's how I am too haha. Love food and lots of it, but size doesn't change much. I am an avid runner and occasional swimmer which might explain some of that 😛

 

[Lambda Phage]

That's how I am too haha. Love food and lots of it, but size doesn't change much. I am an avid runner and occasional swimmer which might explain some of that 😛

I got into the habit of hitting the gym every day, but even when I used to not workout at all (didn't workout for months on end at some points), I still retained my weight. Set-point theory ftw!

 

[sliceofbread136]

Hormones (e.g., leptin, ghrelin, peptide Y, etc.); It's harder for some people to "just eat less" than they otherwise would.

Fortunately I can eat all I want and not put on any weight. 👍

I think we are hitting the root of this here. It does take a certain amount of restraint to only eat as much as you need as opposed to as much as you want, and most people simply don't want to have that restraint.

 

[Radon XP]

n=1 but there's not a perfect correlation between "laziness" and obesity. I am not overweight, but I don't go to the gym and oh noes, eat whatever I want. OTOH, I have co-workers who are overweight but pick at salads and fruit for lunch and go to the gym everyday or run half marathons.

You can eat salad and fruit all day long and if you eat more calories than you spend, you'll gain fat.

It's that simple. Also, you don't know what they're eating at home, etc

That healthy salad becomes a lot less healthy when you throw in some bacon with buttermilk ranch.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Hormones (e.g., leptin, ghrelin, peptide Y, etc.); It's harder for some people to "just eat less" than they otherwise would.

Fortunately I can eat all I want and not put on any weight. 👍

You're right, it is harder, but it is not impossible. Some people just lack the discipline.
And the issue that comes up with your answer is that those people can opt for nutrient dense foods or items that contain fiber to make them feel full for longer periods of time.

The reality is that those people will eat junk food more often than healthy items... So its not a matter of hormones, but rather people making the right choices for a healthier lifestyle.

 

[Geebeejay]

Hormones (e.g., leptin, ghrelin, peptide Y, etc.); It's harder for some people to "just eat less" than they otherwise would.

Fortunately I can eat all I want and not put on any weight. 👍

I know, it does take some level of .... self-control, err mer gerd!

But for reals....becoming less obese = eat less, exercise more. Many of the people i know who claim they exercise x hours x days a week and can't lose weight have very loose definitions of what constitutes as exercise.

The sad thing is many people don't want to be "uncomfortable". They don't like to break a sweat, feel "the burn", miss their TV show to go to the gym, eat a less tasty lunch (salad is great - sloshing on cups of dressing, not so much), switch to whole grains, or feel a bit of hunger as they lower their calorie counts. A lot of it comes down to self-control and discipline.

 

[Mornhavon]

.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I know, it does take some level of .... self-control, err mer gerd!

But for reals....becoming less obese = eat less, exercise more. Many of the people i know who claim they exercise x hours x days a week and can't lose weight have very loose definitions of what constitutes as exercise.

The sad thing is many people don't want to be "uncomfortable". They don't like to break a sweat, feel "the burn", miss their TV show to go to the gym, eat a less tasty lunch (salad is great - sloshing on cups of dressing, not so much), switch to whole grains, or feel a bit of hunger as they lower their calorie counts. A lot of it comes down to self-control and discipline.

 

[Mornhavon]

.

 

[Mornhavon]

.

 

[Loveless]

.

<3

 

[ToldYouSo]

If any of you watched the Documentary that followed the Harvard med students from year one to attending, there was one dude who was like an olympic athlete, who decided to get on the fat train and grow a pony tail.

In the end he was really gross looking and no one would hire him.

Yeah and most of the others were either divorced, single or not practicing medicine anymore

 

[DrEnderW]

You're delusional if you don't think appearance effects the hiring (or acceptance in this case) process for virtually any position.

It doesn't make it right, but it happens.