Obesity Myths
An Epidemic of
O besity Myths
The Center for Consumer Freedom
Obesity Myths.indd A1
11/29/2005 11:59:17 AM
An Epidemic of Obesity Myths
Obesity Myths.indd A5
11/29/2005 11:59:29 AM
An Epidemic of Obesity Myths
Obesity Myths.indd A7
11/29/2005 11:59:29 AM
Copyright © 2005 by The Center for Consumer Freedom
The Center for Consumer Freedom is a nonprofit coalition supported by restaurants, food companies, and consumers, working together to promote personal responsibility and protect consumer choices.
www.ConsumerFreedom.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission in writing from the publisher.
Published by The Center for Consumer Freedom, Washington, D.C.
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 0-9774380-0-7
Obesity Myths.indd A8
11/29/2005 11:59:29 AM
An Epidemic of Obesity Myths
The Myths
Introduction ................................................................................. 1
65 Percent of Americans Are Overweight or Obese ................. 4
“Overweight” and “obese” celebrities and sports stars................. 5
Who was behind the redefinition of “overweight”? ..................... 9
Experts criticize the body mass index (BMI) ............................... 12
BMI report cards ....................................................................... 13
Consequences of using the BMI ................................................. 15
Obesity Kills 400,000 Americans Annually................................ 19
CDC study dramatically lowers death estimate ........................... 20
Timeline of the debunked 400,000-deaths study ........................ 20
The CDC’s excuses ................................................................... 34
Why the 26,000-deaths study is scientifically
O besity Myths
The Center for Consumer Freedom
Obesity Myths.indd A1
11/29/2005 11:59:17 AM
An Epidemic of Obesity Myths
Obesity Myths.indd A5
11/29/2005 11:59:29 AM
An Epidemic of Obesity Myths
Obesity Myths.indd A7
11/29/2005 11:59:29 AM
Copyright © 2005 by The Center for Consumer Freedom
The Center for Consumer Freedom is a nonprofit coalition supported by restaurants, food companies, and consumers, working together to promote personal responsibility and protect consumer choices.
www.ConsumerFreedom.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission in writing from the publisher.
Published by The Center for Consumer Freedom, Washington, D.C.
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 0-9774380-0-7
Obesity Myths.indd A8
11/29/2005 11:59:29 AM
An Epidemic of Obesity Myths
The Myths
Introduction ................................................................................. 1
65 Percent of Americans Are Overweight or Obese ................. 4
“Overweight” and “obese” celebrities and sports stars................. 5
Who was behind the redefinition of “overweight”? ..................... 9
Experts criticize the body mass index (BMI) ............................... 12
BMI report cards ....................................................................... 13
Consequences of using the BMI ................................................. 15
Obesity Kills 400,000 Americans Annually................................ 19
CDC study dramatically lowers death estimate ........................... 20
Timeline of the debunked 400,000-deaths study ........................ 20
The CDC’s excuses ................................................................... 34
Why the 26,000-deaths study is scientifically