Leave size out of healthy living goals

I strongly disagree with the university's decision to offer Colorado Weigh at its various campuses (Nov. 10 Newsletter).

I do support the University of Colorado's vision of encouraging a healthy lifestyle and nutritional eating habits. However, I do not believe that my employer should imply that I ought to maintain an imaginary "ideal weight."

Some background:

• 95 percent of all dieters are unable to maintain their weight loss over a period of five years. As this study states, "Diets do not lead to sustained weight loss or health benefits for the majority of people." (http://www.reuters.com/article/
  idUSN3036700020070402?pageNumber=1)
  
  
• Weight cycling (losing and gaining weight over and over) has been associated with a decrease in health. (http://mann.bol.ucla.edu/files/Diets_don%27t_work.pdf)
  
  
• Body Mass Index is a flawed method of determining a person's overall health. (http://www.preventdisease.com/news/articles/081806_bmi.shtml)
  
  
• Focusing on the very personal facts of one's unique body shape can cause poor self-image and may even lead to disordered eating. (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
  articles/54635.php)

Weight and health are two different things. Encourage healthy living, and leave size out of this.

For more information, please check out "Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight," by Linda Bacon; "The Obesity Myth: Why America's Obsession With Weight Is Hazardous to Your Health," by Paul Campos; and "Losing It: America's Obsession With Weight and the Industry That Feeds It," by Laura Fraser.

Shana Bergen
Program Assistant I, Office of the Registrar
Anschutz Medical Campus

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