Fat = contagion?

[razzleccentric]

There's not much I can say about this latest wave of "fat friends make you fat" mania, other than to point out that the researchers who concocted this "study" fairly tortured their data into submission. Methodology HURTS, baby.

For starters, they didn't actually follow people over the course of years - that takes forethought and money and we don't bother with that anymore. They took handwritten tracking sheets from Framingham Heart Study interviews conducted between 1971 and 2003 (only seven interviews per person over the course of that 32-yr stretch) on which the interviewees were asked to list *one* person they might be in contact with in a few years.

From this list the authors created "38,611 different people connections" (people connections, I like that) and plugged that mess of data into a virtual network imaging program to create pretty 3-dimentional designs based on algorithms. Note: different algorithm = different result. Then in order to wring any kind of statical connections from it all, "These authors created models and ran countless simulations, with so many assumptions and complex selections and elimination of variables, that no one could hope to unravel it."

Even then, they couldn't get good odds - so instead of reporting results were null they used the time-honored technical trick of comparing them to each other. The final analysis? Obesity was associated less with genetics, geographical proximity, being married, etc. than with... wait for it... SAME SEX MALE FRIENDS.

Since I'm sure 99% of the press this report is getting is aimed at women, why is nobody (except the the few, the proud, and the scientifically literate) pointing out that same sex female and opposite sex friendships had no bearing whatsoever on social BMI, no matter how much data cosmetology went on...?

Well, I guess I did have something to say about it after all. Anthropologists should, particularly medical anthropologists. This framing of fat as contagion, as impurity, as danger, is a cultural issue that we need to address - preferably sometime before the advent of fat internment camps.

Comments

[starrchilde.livejournal.com]

You should add pooklaroux to your flist - she's been doing an article a day on how the weight thing has gotten out of hand. Plus she's in the SCA and an all around cool person. ;o}

[sydb42.livejournal.com]

I saw that article yesterday and almost posted it under the link heading "No fat chicks, please", but didn't want to dignify the article by posting it, even with a sarcastic heading. I am happy, however, to read your thorough discrediting of the study, which I knew would come from somewhere almost immediately. Thanks for posting. :)

[ladonna-rena.livejournal.com]

When I first read that article yesterday I wanted to write something on it but couldn't get my words together. Then I thought "I know Razzle probably will see this and write about it much more intelligently than I ever could." My post would've mostly consisted of the F-word, separation word, isolation word and probably would've ended with playing the Hitler card.

Thanks for providing a more intelligent response.

[bluestocking7.livejournal.com]

I think I need to copy this (with credit) and paste it into the Intro Class discussion board, as yesterday, two students decided to use that report as PROOF THAT THE TEXT AND INSTRUCTOR ARE WRONG ABOUT FAT (caps in the post). ((((Sigh))))

I just posted the links to the "few, the proud and the scientifically literate" you provided (much thanks). I wish I could pay to have you come down here and guest lecture in my classes this fall!!!!!

[sydb42.livejournal.com]

Completely off topic....nice icon. ;)

[durgablue.livejournal.com]

two students decided to use that report as PROOF THAT THE TEXT AND INSTRUCTOR ARE WRONG ABOUT FAT (caps in the post). ((((Sigh))))

Do your students sniff glue? Because it can't just be about age, there's a 15 year old on my LJ fl that saw right through the bullshit of this article.

I wish I could pay to have you come down here and guest lecture in my classes this fall!!!!!

Hmmm, is there a student organization that would at least foot the bill for razzle's plane ticket?

[altamaha.livejournal.com]

1. those students who posted that are not only rude, but presumptuous.
2. do they give the same credence to all the other pseudo-science that gets published in the popular media? Because take your pick, you can swing a dead cat and hit at least a dozen a week.
3. This is a chance to teach people how to THINK not to be a herd of mooing cattle, accepting every craptastic story that is put out by the same people who follow Paris Hilton's every bowel movement.

Sheesh.

[pallid-regina.livejournal.com]

I'm just...trying hard not to explode with rage. Because, you know, then I'd leave my horrifying fat all over my horrifyingly fat friends, and the thin public would get SO GROSSED OUT, and that's just SO inconsiderate of me.

*fumes*

Prick them do they not bleed offe thee ill humours?

[durgablue.livejournal.com]

Even then, they couldn't get good odds - so instead of reporting results were null they used the time-honored technical trick of comparing them to each other. The final analysis? Obesity was associated less with genetics, geographical proximity, being married, etc. than with... wait for it... SAME SEX MALE FRIENDS.

Jesus Christ...should I drop them a line and ask the creators/authors of this study if they are aware that diseases are NOT caused by ill humors, or for that matter, The Devil?

This is a fantastically well thought out and articulate reply. (Sheesh, when I get mad at stuff like this I get all Emo and start going on about my feelings!)

[peradouro.livejournal.com]

When I first read of this all I could think of is that people seemed to be coming up with even more boxes to cram each other into.

And I agree with durgablue, the thinking behind this is so "middle ages" that it's incredible. Reminds me of the flat-earthness of the Answers in Genesis people.

[witchymystral.livejournal.com]

BTW...did you see the vid on CNN about a guy who was refused the right to adopt his nephew cause he was too fat? I am adopted and it was appauling