Moi? Is he talking about moi?

Today's NY Times has a good article that compares and contrasts the European and U.S. views of the role of predestination vs good works in matters of health. It makes the point that changing our eating and exercise habits may alter some statistical probabilites, but sure as heck is no guarantee of good health. Dr. Daniel Haber, of Mass General, says

"I grew up in Europe and I travel in Europe," he said. "And there's an amazing contrast." Europeans are far more fatalistic about their lives, he said. They believe "you need to enjoy life," so they smoke, they bask in a sun, they take pleasure in a leisurely, indulgent meal and they don't feel compelled to go to a gym.

Americans, Dr. Haber says, believe in control - of their bodies, their mental faculties and their futures. So shedding some pounds or some unhealthy habits is not merely sensible. It suggests a new beginning, being born again.

But that's not the quote that really caught my eye. It came on page 2, in a discussion with Barry Glassner, a sociology professor at USC. Glassner is quoted as saying people have two choices when faced with how difficult it is to make real health changes. They can consider themselves inadequate or they can concentrate on surface appearances instead, opting for plastic surgery instead of more hours at the gym.

But wait, there's a third choice

Then there is a third possibility for the resourceful, Dr. Glassner said. An overweight person can simply redefine himself as a "food adventurer."

Ouch!The Body Heretic: It Scorns our Efforts

Ann Fisher wrote:But wait, there's a third choice

Then there is a third possibility for the resourceful, Dr. Glassner said. An overweight person can simply redefine himself as a "food adventurer."

I love it!