Saturday, April 9, 2016

Obesity Is Not A Mental Illness

Mental disorder is not causing the obesity epidemic.  And treating a fake mental disorder can’t fix it.  It won’t help to label as psychiatrically sick the victims of our dumb public policies; it’s far better to change the policies.  No more fructose subsidies.  No more Coke and fries served with school lunches.  No more streets without sidewalks that discourage walking.  Let’s restore physical education in the schools; add calorie counts to every menu; subsidize vegetables; give people tax deductions and lower insurance premiums for losing weight; install free bikes at stands in cities everywhere.  In short, we need to do whatever it takes from a public policy standpoint to encourage people to eat less and exercise more.

Allen Frances, M.D, "Saving Normal," pp.183

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