Obesity and the health-issues that follow.

[DFab420]

I make no judgements on people due to their race, gender, sexual orientation, or body type. HOWEVER. If you want to run the free world. If you want to lead a major super power, that requires you to everyday make snap decisions and sleep about 4-5 hours a day. Your health is paramount to the decision of the public. I don't care that Chris Christie is fat because I don't like fat people, I care because, just like McCain's age, you don't know who the VP will be, and it's unfair to put American's in the position where we elect one official for the highest office, then halfway through a term have that official keel over, not wake up, or otherwise shed their mortal coil. Only to de-facto place a VP in charge who we may not want to be in charge.

I understand that some here and in the media may make the weight an issue due to optics, which I disagree with.

But don't pretend it's not a health factor. We all know it is.



http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obesity/DS00314/DSECTION=complications

If you're obese, you're more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health problems, including:

High cholesterol and triglycerides
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Metabolic syndrome — a combination of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and high cholesterol
Heart disease
Stroke
Cancer, including cancer of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, breast, colon, rectum and prostate
Sleep apnea
Depression
Gallbladder disease
Gynecologic problems, such as infertility and irregular periods
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Osteoarthritis
Skin problems, such as poor wound healing

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004552/

Obesity is a major health threat. The extra weight puts added stress on every part of your body.

People with obesity are at risk for these health problems:

Bone and joint problems -- extra weight puts strain on the bones and joints. This can lead toosteoarthritis, a disease that causes joint pain and stiffness.

Gallstones and liver problems

Heart attack from coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, and stroke

High blood cholesterol and triglycerides (dislipidemia or high blood fats)

High blood pressure (hypertension)

High blood sugar (glucose) or diabetes

Stopping breathing during sleep (sleep apnea). This can cause daytime fatigue or sleepiness, poor attention, and problems at work.

[leftstreet]

1. Isn't assassination also a 'health risk?' Maybe no one should run for Prez

:shrug:

[DFab420]

2. What a very disingenuous reply

[leftstreet]

4. To a disingenuous weight-bashing post?

:shrug:

[DFab420]

8. Jesus Christ man. Did you even read what I said. I don't care if your over weight just like I don't

care if your gay, straight, man or woman or whatever. But it is something that the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES needs to be in good health.

And for you to simply ignore the health issues caused by obesity due to the fact that it might offend your sensibilities that overweight people have health issues is very disingenuous and fairly myopic as well.

[leftstreet]

10. Why does the Prez need to be in good health? It's a 4 year term n/t

[closeupready]

11. Because.

nt

[leftstreet]

14. But all we hear is how powerless the Prez is, so what difference does it make?

:shrug:

[DFab420]

16. Man..your doing a really good job of being obtuse, it must be nice to think in

tiny tiny circles.

[leftstreet]

18. It's because I'm thin, don't: drink, smoke, do drugs, eat junk food, breastfeed, own a pitbull

what am I forgetting?

[DFab420]

19. What? Lol now you are just speaking nonsense

Or are you just tossing out flamebait?

I can't quite figure it out

[leftstreet]

20. You started it

:D

[DFab420]

21. very grown up. btw pitbulls are awesome loyal loving animals. They have a shit reputation

because people don't treat them right.

[WinkyDink]

17. Right.

[Big Blue Marble]

3. The Presidency is an extremely high stress job.

Traditionally in the modern era, candidates have been required to show a high level of health when seeking the office.
Christy's severe obesity does put him at high risk for a number of diseases. The stress of the office
would surely increase that risk.

He does not appear to be a healthy man. I think that most voters would consider this factor, especially when
Obama radiates youth and health.

[quinnox]

5. yep

I'm overweight myself and its tough to lose weight but I'm on board with being thin, in a way, being a sign of leadership. I know its bad to be fat, I'm no hypocrite.

[DFab420]

6. I'm not saying I'm a pillar of health either. And being heavy is bad at all. But being obese can

and will lead to major health complications, sooner and quicker, then in a healthy weight individual .

[quinnox]

7. definitely

Science can't be argued with on this point.

[frazzled]

9. All true, but ...

(1) The candidate in question (who I doubt will run and who has dozens of other reasons to disqualify him) is still under 50 and only has to last for 4 years in office. People wouldn't be buying him for life.

(2) I wonder, most sincerely, if a really top-notch progressive/liberal Democratic candidate came along who was very overweight, if we would be having this conversation.

Political considerations aside, however--yes, obesity is a huge health problem and risk.

[DFab420]

13. I can guarantee you that, at least, I would still bring it up.

Obesity is a major health concern that doesn't care what your politics are.

Over weight is over weight and I would be just as concerned over their health in the office as any other candidate.

[seabeyond]

12. anyone over 50 that has more of the chance to drop dead from heart attack, then.

regardless of weight or background. after an age, people dont KNOW when they are going to drop dead anymore than the next person.

who is going to say where we stop at risk assessment. just another means of discrimination.

[WinkyDink]

15. I just like calling him a fat jerk because his greed is manifested in his appearance. Skinny guys

have croaked young, too.

[DataException]

22. You're exactly right!

I cannot understand why the speaking of absolute facts around here gets you labeled as "intolerant". Being overweight leads to a wide variety of serious health issues - it's that simple.

By the same token, I think that Herman Cain's stage 4 cancer should eliminate him from any serious consideration.

[DFab420]

23. Cain has Stage 4? I did not know that, and yes that should disqualify him from holding the office

[DataException]

30. He had it.

He said in the debate that he had stage IV colon and liver cancer in 2006. He was treated with chemotherapy and surgery. He now says that he is cancer free.

[taught_me_patience]

24. I agree with you , but to be fair Obama smokes

which is probably just as bad for long term health as obesity.

[DFab420]

25. True. But two points. 1) wasn't his smoking something brought up in the campaign?

and 2) the short-term major health issues of obesity vs smoking are much more one sided to obesity then smoking. Talkin in long terms sure they are both incredibly dangerous for you.

[Coyote_Bandit]

26. Only

pretty people in perfect health ought to be president - and we all know that no fat person could be healthy...

Unredc for advancing bigotted sterotyped views of overweight people.

[DFab420]

27. I wish i could unrec your post for being a complete mischaracterization of what I said

since when did it become taboo to talk about medical facts??

If you are obese you have increased health risks that must be considered. Sorry if FACTS OFFEND YOU.

Fucking ridiculous.

[Coyote_Bandit]

29. You clearly suggest that a person's weight is an indicator of their health

You are wrong. You have ignored a few facts.

"Despite their weight, nearly a third of obese people are not at high risk of diabetes or heart disease, but nearly a quarter of normal-weight people are."
http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20080811/benign-obesity-malign-normal-weight

Weight in and of itself is a poor indicator of an individual's health. Normal weight folks can be in poor health and overweight folks can be in good health.



I am quite certain that there are far better reasons not to vote for this creep than his weight. I'd suggest that you focus on those policy reasons.

[Missy Vixen]

28. Thanks for letting me know I should discount everything you have to say

"Don't like fat people," huh? Color me shocked.

:eyes: