Social Belonging - the bodybook?

Let's face it.  Facebook only shows your face.  And unless you are morbidly obese, your smile probably doesn't tell people that you are a few pounds overweight. Everyone can be your online friend.

So in a world where you never have to leave your computer, your smiling face is always an asset. Step outside and you are not in Kansas anymore. Size matters.  Even "pretty" becomes "pretty fat."  I know you have a nice personality, but know one else will.

If Mark Zuckerberg had programmed a bodybook instead of facebook, he would not have been successful. We all struggle with weight and we want to keep it covered up. Even dating sites start with photos from the neck up.

Social belonging is supposed to be a strong motivator for behavior change, but according to the US Department of Health and  Human Services, "Over two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, and over one-third are obese, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2006 and 2007–2008."
The government defines obese and overweight as follows:

• An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.
• An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

The BMI or Body Mass Index calculator uses height and weight to come up with a number that screens for these weight categories. Despite TV shows that have obese people pulling cars, weight loss comes from eating fewer calories not superhuman feats.  It's an energy equation.  If you eat less calories than you burn you lose weight. Diet trumps exercise.

Remember your Mother telling you to eat your vegetables?  If you ate your vegetables you would have more friends because you would be at a normal BMI for your height.The most important change in eating behavior emphasized by the new food icon is to cover half your plate with fruits and vegetables.


Article first published as Social Belonging - The Body Book? on Technorati.