Does the LDS Culture Promote Obesity?

[_harmony]

What can we, as individuals, do to prevent this from happening to ourselves and our friends and loved-ones, and how can we also help free those who are already in its clutches? In other words, rather than just pointing out potential problems, what can we do to be a part of the solution?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

I think one way would be for our leaders to quit focusing on personal details and start focusing on healthy lifestyles. We don't need our leaders giving us advice on hair styles, jewelry choices, clothing choices, or personal ornamentation. We need them to cease focusing on our outward appearance and start focusing on that which is important. If the WOW is going to be part of the TRI, then make it the whole WOW, not just part of it. I think we'd be a lot healthier if our leaders told us to give up white flour and sugar, fatty meats, and desserts in order to attend the temple. But they won't, because picking and choosing amongst God's revelations is what they do best.

[_Blixa]

Wade:

"What can we, as individuals, do to prevent this from happening to ourselves and our friends and loved-ones, and how can we also help free those who are already in its clutches? In other words, rather than just pointing out potential problems, what can we do to be a part of the solution?"

That's a good question, wade. If I were still Mormon I would think about how this could be addressed through lessons on the Word of Wisdom: the whole text and the history of its spotty "enforcement." One could easily show how on the one hand it reflected fads of the time, but on the other contained advice still, if not more, useful.

Also, one could encourage more nutritional education---specifically how to really enjoy in moderation. This would require some learning about the pan-cultural art of gastronomy, something that was lacking in Mormon culture when I was member.

[_Jason Bourne]

do think the LDS culture promotes unhealthy eating.

No more then our entire culture.

As has been mentioned, virtually EVERY activity or get-together has associated with it unhealthy foods.

I have been to quite a few LDS activities where the food served is just fine. Yea we have goodie at lots of things but come to my office and you can find candy, donuts and what have you almost any day of the week. 60% of my peers at work are over weight as well. You should see them slam down the food.

Culturally many activities have food. Parties for the super bowl, summer picnics and barbecues, business entertainment. In fact before I lost weight I needed to I can tell that my extra pounds came from business lunches and dinners and eating poorly when I traveled. Not from the LDS Church ward dinners or cookies relating to some LDS activity.

People pray over garbage and poison asking God to make it healthy and nourishing... I don't get it.

Yea I think it is funny to bless chocolate cake to be good for us.

Code: Select all

I'm on the very conscientious end of the eating spectrum and just completely do not get the WOW!

Much of it is good if followed correctly.

Tea and coffee are taboo but eating all the sugar and lard and poison is no problem at all!

Well it was HOT DRINKS and any thing too hot is bad for your belly and esophagus. It burns it on the way down. Sugar and lard ok? Not according to the spirit of the WOW. Taking care of the body is the message. Moderation, whole grains in season (they did not have refrigeration then) and meat sparingly. It is just the WOW has been tired to tobacco, booze, drugs, tea and coffee.

Caffeine is evidently not a problem unless it is in coffee and tea, hot drinks are actually fine with the exception of coffee and tea unless the tea is herbal which actually all tea is. Eating as much meat as one wants seems to be totally OK (and supports the church's huge cattle industry). It is just sort of nonsensical to me.

Caffeine is not against the WOW. Tea and coffee were defines as the hot drinks part.

Several years ago, (actually my last TRI), the counselor in the Stk presidency who was interviewing me for my TR was literally several hundred lbs overweight. He truly could barely walk and even had difficulty breathing. He mentioned my being a vegetarian and "warned" me about it.

I just sat there... here I am, eating as healthfully as I can, in excellent shape, (medically speaking), and he was barely alive telling me to eat in a way I find unhealthy. It was just one of those things that made me dizzy! :-)

That was pretty goofy.

Edit... just to be clear, I do not advocate my particular eating choices for others... I try to eat consciously which FOR ME, means eliminating foods I think are harmful and taking into my form that which I believe is nourishing. I just do not get the WoW (with the exception of drugs), as something that moves anyone toward health.

That is because LDS focus on the don'ts rather then the do's. Together it is very good advice.

[_The Nehor]

What can we, as individuals, do to prevent this from happening to ourselves and our friends and loved-ones, and how can we also help free those who are already in its clutches? In other words, rather than just pointing out potential problems, what can we do to be a part of the solution?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

I think one way would be for our leaders to quit focusing on personal details and start focusing on healthy lifestyles. We don't need our leaders giving us advice on hair styles, jewelry choices, clothing choices, or personal ornamentation. We need them to cease focusing on our outward appearance and start focusing on that which is important. If the WOW is going to be part of the TRI, then make it the whole WOW, not just part of it. I think we'd be a lot healthier if our leaders told us to give up white flour and sugar, fatty meats, and desserts in order to attend the temple. But they won't, because picking and choosing amongst God's revelations is what they do best.

2 years back at Stake Conference one of the goals laid out was to eat more healthily and exercise. Some areas this is appearing. I have no idea how the stake did though as a whole. I've stopped eating most meat. I'll have it if someone serves me it or I'm at a restaurant but other than that I don't cook it for myself anymore. I kicked out soda and switched to juice and water. I also switched snacks to eating rolls, bread, and fruit exclusively. The problem with that mindset is you feel great and want to share it and become an annoyance.

[_wenglund]

What can we, as individuals, do to prevent this from happening to ourselves and our friends and loved-ones, and how can we also help free those who are already in its clutches? In other words, rather than just pointing out potential problems, what can we do to be a part of the solution?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

I think one way would be for our leaders to quit focusing on personal details and start focusing on healthy lifestyles. We don't need our leaders giving us advice on hair styles, jewelry choices, clothing choices, or personal ornamentation. We need them to cease focusing on our outward appearance and start focusing on that which is important. If the WOW is going to be part of the TRI, then make it the whole WOW, not just part of it. I think we'd be a lot healthier if our leaders told us to give up white flour and sugar, fatty meats, and desserts in order to attend the temple. But they won't, because picking and choosing amongst God's revelations is what they do best.

Those are some good points. However, since the leaders of the Church don't typically participate on discussion boards such as this, I am not sure what advantage may be derived from our discussing what THEY could do. Rather, my hope was was to look more for suggestions about what WE, ourselves, may do. Any suggestions?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_The Nehor]

Those are some good points. However, since the leaders of the Church don't typically participate on discussion boards such as this, I am not sure what advantage may be derived from our discussing what THEY could do. Rather, my hope was was to look more for suggestions about what WE, ourselves, may do. Any suggestions?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Live the whole Word of Wisdom and help family friends and family to too. Now I feel like a hypocrite though. To celebrate end of finals I've got a pizza in the oven. Bad Nehor!!! :(

[_harmony]

Live the whole Word of Wisdom and help family friends and family to too. Now I feel like a hypocrite though. To celebrate end of finals I've got a pizza in the oven. Bad Nehor!!! :(

Pizza doesn't have to be unhealthy.

[_Some Schmo]

Those are some good points. However, since the leaders of the Church don't typically participate on discussion boards such as this, I am not sure what advantage may be derived from our discussing what THEY could do. Rather, my hope was was to look more for suggestions about what WE, ourselves, may do.

Makes you wonder why people need to listen to church leaders at all when really, they should just learn to live right on their own.

Ahhhh.... the advantages of personal responsibility.

[_wenglund]

There is a bit of a connundrum associated with the obesity issue. Ironically, as a nation, our efforts to become more weight conscious since the early 70's, and to become more fit and healthy, has caused us in some ways to go to the other extreme that Harmony mentioned. I think the whole weigh-loss and plastic surgery industries has contributed much to the hyper-image-consciousness of our society, and to quite an unhealthy extent--and this in more ways than just eating disorders.

I suppose that the resolution for both issues may be a matter of balance and proper priorities--not unlike what Nehor mentioned regarding the WoW: "My criteria for my own WoW observance is that if I can run and not be weary and walk and not faint I'm on the right track."

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_harmony]

Any suggestions?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Well, I'll share what works for me. Four things:

1. Do not skip meals. Eat a breakfast of whole grain cereal (like Zoom) and a glass of purple grape juice.

2. Eat whatever you want (potatoes, hamburgers, steak, chocolate cake, lemon meringue pie), as long as you eat it before 2 pm.

3. Eat a light dinner before 7 pm, like a salad or soup/sandwich. Use whole grain breads.

4. Eat whole grains (like granola bars or crackers) or whole fresh fruit as snacks whenever you snack, and drink another glass of purple grape juice before retiring at night.

The timing is important. And the whole grain/whole fruit thing is important. The idea is to make your body work hard to digest what you eat (processed foods are easier to digest than whole foods), and to eat it in mid-day, so you have time to work it off.

I lose 1 1/2 to 2 pounds a week, eating like this. I don't crave anything, I don't feel deprived.