We are in the midst of a massive public-health response to the American (and worldwide) "Obesity Epidemic." Much of the current advice focuses on the simplistic assumption that high BMI is caused by too many calories and too little exercise. That is certainly part of the picture. But as with many aspects of human behavior, the causes of obesity are much more complex. Particularly missing in the conversation is the impact of things like psychological trauma, depression, and sleep problems on obesity. My goal is to at least raise these issues. My fervent hope is that we stop stigmatizing and shaming people with higher BMIs; that we focus on health--not size--as we seek to influence public health and address this issue. I have also uploaded a session on metabolic syndrome that will be helpful in understanding some of the factors related to higher BMIs.
