The Possibilities of Obesity
Childhood Obesity News has been comparing and contrasting the basic qualities of the “red-headed stepchild,” food addiction, with various other conditions that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) recognizes as real and legitimate. One of the awkward things about discussing the idea of food addiction is that not all foods affect people with such enthusiasm […]
Social Media, Obesity, and Catfish
Although catfishing has existed as long as the Internet, the actual name by which the cultural phenomenon will forever be known was not decided until 2010. This happened thanks to an indie documentary film made by Henry Joost, Ariel (Rel) Schulman, and Nev Schulman. Catfish is wonderfully complicated, but its essence is simple — through […]
Childhood Obesity and the Frenemy
Childhood Obesity News has been exploring the many advantages and benefits of networking with social media. But rarely is a blessing unalloyed in this world. The whole social media revolution arrived with its own set of ready-made problems, though not all of them impact the possibility of doing good work in such areas as childhood […]
Obesity Media Overview, Part 2
Yesterday, Childhood Obesity News looked at some recent developments in the media coverage of obesity and related topics. Last summer, as described by reporter Kirsty McCormack, the “pro-anorexia website” called SkinnyGossip apparently targeted a 20-year-old fashion model named Kate Upton. Upset with her for being in a cheeseburger commercial, the clever gossip specialists called Ms. Upton a […]
Influence and the Young
Childhood Obesity News has been examining the influence of friends on childhood obesity. The concept that social networks impact individual behavior is not exactly hot off the presses. That’s why, for instance, the Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center mentions four helpful modalities: cognitive-behavioral therapy, medications, self-help groups, and interpersonal psychotherapy, the last being described […]
Social Media and Diabetes
Before obesity, and especially childhood obesity, became such a well-publicized issue, people with diabetes were early adopters of any available means for sharing information and offering mutual psychological and emotional support. Along the way, some pretty sophisticated subcommunities developed. At the Diabetes Social Media Advocacy website they say: Through platforms such as [F]acebook, YouTube, podcasts, […]
Social Media vs. the Obesity Epidemic, Part 8
Last time, Childhood Obesity News started to look at the ideas of innovative design consultant Chris Waugh, who told an interviewer that “design thinking” actually offers a new approach to reducing childhood obesity. One of Waugh’s principles, he told Diane Carman, is the importance of meeting people where they are, rather than wishing or pretending […]
Social Media vs. the Obesity Epidemic, Part 7
Childhood Obesity News is exploring an important discovery in the area of childhood obesity, which has been discussed widely since the American Heart Association (AHA) published a scientific paper in December. It seems that weight management interventions, delivered via electronic media in interactive format, can actually help people. (And, of course, human networking is recognized […]
Social Media vs. the Obesity Epidemic, Part 4
Yesterday, Childhood Obesity News mentioned a study carried out by a team headed by Dr. J.S. Li, in part because: Results from trials of Internet-based weight management programs have shown mixed results. These have not specifically used social networks. It’s too early to tell the full extent of the impact of social media, and part of […]
Social Media vs. the Obesity Epidemic, Part 1
Sometimes it seems like not much progress is being made, but when we look back a few months or a year, the retrospective view often makes the whole situation look better. Last May, Dr. Pretlow went to France for the 19th European Congress on Obesity, which Helping You Care reported on: Dr. Robert Pretlow of […]