Sociology of HealthSociology of Health

HypothalamusHypothalamus Lateral increases hunger Insulin sensitiveLateral increases hunger Insulin sensitive Ventromedial: glucose sensitive: decreases Ventromedial: glucose sensitive: decreases

hunger:hunger: Orexin secreted increasing hungerOrexin secreted increasing hunger Gherlin: produced by stomach when empty Gherlin: produced by stomach when empty

increases hunger, switches when full.increases hunger, switches when full. PPY: intestines are full, decreases hungerPPY: intestines are full, decreases hunger Leptin produced by fat cells, decreases hunge Leptin produced by fat cells, decreases hunge

and increases activity when the cell maintains its and increases activity when the cell maintains its fat level, and metabolism. When fat is lost, leptin fat level, and metabolism. When fat is lost, leptin production decreases, creating a desire to eat production decreases, creating a desire to eat and eat.and eat.

It is much harder to lose weight, than to gain it in It is much harder to lose weight, than to gain it in the first place.the first place.

Neurobiological RootsNeurobiological Roots

The HypothalamusThe Hypothalamus:: controls sex drive and turns controls sex drive and turns

hunger on and off by hunger on and off by monitoring blood sugar monitoring blood sugar (glucose) and cell depletion. (glucose) and cell depletion.

Controls the thyroid whose Controls the thyroid whose hormones control hormones control metabolism. metabolism.

1 never to 5 all the time1 never to 5 all the time How often do you eat: 1. because you want to treat yourself? 2. as a reward for having done something that you’re proud of or feel good

about? 3. because you like to eat? 4. because it’s a special or traditional part of some social occasion or

celebration? 5. because you are depressed or sad? 6. because you deserve it? 7. because you feel worthless or inadequate? 8. because you feel good or are in a good mood? 9. as a way to help you cope? 10. as a way to comfort yourself? 11. as a way to avoid thinking about something unpleasant or to distract

yourself? 12. as a way to enjoy a social gathering? 13 as a way to celebrate a special occasion with friends, family, or a loved

one? 14. to be sociable? 15. to keep people from asking questions about why you’re not eating? 16. because someone pressures you to eat? 17. because you feel like you can’t say “no”? 18. to join in a festive occasion? 19. because you don’t want to stand out or be different from others who are

eating? 20. to please your mother or someone else who wants you to eat? Source:

What affects weightWhat affects weight Calories in, activity outCalories in, activity out Genetics: range in humansGenetics: range in humans Set Point?Set Point? Industrialization of Food: dense calories hidden in yummy, easy to consume package;Industrialization of Food: dense calories hidden in yummy, easy to consume package; Access to “good” food.(money,location), knowledge of what’s goodAccess to “good” food.(money,location), knowledge of what’s good Habits and cultural Habits and cultural Sedentary lifestyle (types of people)Sedentary lifestyle (types of people) AgeAge MetabolismMetabolism Relationship to food: psychological, body imageRelationship to food: psychological, body image Restrictive dietingRestrictive dieting AdvertisingAdvertising Stress and cortisolStress and cortisol ExternalExternal Sleep deprivationSleep deprivation The eating “system”The eating “system” Evolutionary drives.Evolutionary drives.

HungerHunger

Hunger is turned on and off Hunger is turned on and off by the hypothalamus.by the hypothalamus.

Brain reads blood-sugar Brain reads blood-sugar (glucose) and insulin levels, (glucose) and insulin levels, cells losing water or fat, cells losing water or fat, stomach constrictions, taste stomach constrictions, taste sensations from taste buds.sensations from taste buds.

Set PointSet Point

The body is brilliantly designed to The body is brilliantly designed to handle the intake of food, extract handle the intake of food, extract energy and store enough extra for energy and store enough extra for emergencies.emergencies.

Theory that everyone has a Theory that everyone has a genetically driven genetically driven set pointset point of body of body weight that the body tries to achieve. weight that the body tries to achieve. BASIL Metabolic RateBASIL Metabolic Rate and hunger and hunger is altered to achieve the set pointis altered to achieve the set point ..

Set PointSet Point We consume about 20 tons of food over 40 We consume about 20 tons of food over 40

years, a .01 ounce increase in daily input years, a .01 ounce increase in daily input would increase weight by 24 lbs.would increase weight by 24 lbs.

Given a starvation diet people level off at Given a starvation diet people level off at about ¾ of their weight, the metablolism about ¾ of their weight, the metablolism adjusts.adjusts.

In reverse, increasing calories about 1000, In reverse, increasing calories about 1000, people fidget more.people fidget more.

Most scientists now believe set point can Most scientists now believe set point can be adjusted my changing behaviors over be adjusted my changing behaviors over time.b`time.b`

Ask about the vibrating mouse.Ask about the vibrating mouse.

The Evolved BrainThe Evolved Brain

Evolved in environment of scarcity Evolved in environment of scarcity not plenty.not plenty.

Food systems are designed to hold Food systems are designed to hold weight not loss weight.weight not loss weight.

Orexin: HungryOrexin: Hungry Ghrelin: hungry/stomachGhrelin: hungry/stomach PPY: satisfied/Digestive PPY: satisfied/Digestive

tracttract Leptin: satisfied:,increases Leptin: satisfied:,increases

metabolism, when it stops, metabolism, when it stops, your brain can’t think of your brain can’t think of anything but food.anything but food.

When fat is lost, leptin is When fat is lost, leptin is reduced and you feel reduced and you feel hungry all the timehungry all the time

Insulin: HungryInsulin: Hungry Glucose: SatisfiedGlucose: Satisfied Combined energyCombined energy

Some human population have Some human population have a gene mutation that blocks a gene mutation that blocks leptin sites, this has been leptin sites, this has been

done to fat mouse.done to fat mouse. They are always hungry.They are always hungry.

Genetic linkGenetic link

Twins raised apart the same weight.Twins raised apart the same weight. Adopted siblings uncorrelated with Adopted siblings uncorrelated with

adopted family or other siblings, but adopted family or other siblings, but yes with biological parentyes with biological parent

With obese parent: boy 3x, girl 6s With obese parent: boy 3x, girl 6s likely to be obeselikely to be obese

They’ve located a single gene They’ve located a single gene correlated with obesity.correlated with obesity.

Psychological links.Psychological links.

Food companies target children in Food companies target children in advertising to get them use to eating advertising to get them use to eating bad food.bad food.

Once you begin to gain fat, it is Once you begin to gain fat, it is extremely difficult to lose it as fat extremely difficult to lose it as fat cells fight shrinking by ceasing leptin cells fight shrinking by ceasing leptin productions, bombarding the brain productions, bombarding the brain with hunger messages.with hunger messages.

Novel FoodsNovel Foods Many people shy away from foods Many people shy away from foods

that are new, probably protective.that are new, probably protective.

StarvationStarvation

When experimenters put subjects on When experimenters put subjects on starvation diets they,starvation diets they,

Lost about 35% of weight then Lost about 35% of weight then leveled off.leveled off.

Became food obsessed, not even Became food obsessed, not even thinking about SEX.thinking about SEX.

Why restrictive dieting can cause Why restrictive dieting can cause obesityobesity

Creates a binging mentality.Creates a binging mentality. Turns down metabolism when a Turns down metabolism when a

normal diet is restartednormal diet is restarted Over 90% of people regain the Over 90% of people regain the

weight plus more as the body weight plus more as the body prepares for future “famine”prepares for future “famine”

Proper dietProper diet

High in complex carbohydrates, non High in complex carbohydrates, non high fat protein fruit and vegtables.high fat protein fruit and vegtables.

At least 45 minutes of moderate At least 45 minutes of moderate exercise daily.exercise daily.

FOREVER!FOREVER!

Before you “just world” fat people Before you “just world” fat people ask yourselfask yourself

If being fat is a character flaw (eg no If being fat is a character flaw (eg no will power, lazy) thenwill power, lazy) then

If we’re getting fatter, thenIf we’re getting fatter, then We are losing character.We are losing character. If that doesn’t make sense, then If that doesn’t make sense, then

other scientific explanations should other scientific explanations should be looked at.be looked at.

Fat FactsFat Facts

Body Mass Index about 30 is Body Mass Index about 30 is associated with:associated with:• High blood pressureHigh blood pressure• DiabetesDiabetes• Certain cancers Certain cancers • Sleep apneaSleep apnea• ArthritisArthritis

Correlation Is not causationCorrelation Is not causation

Some people with high BMI are fit Some people with high BMI are fit and have little health effects from and have little health effects from weight.weight.

60% of adults are overweight, 34% 60% of adults are overweight, 34% obese.obese.

Growing levels of obesity childrenGrowing levels of obesity children Middle age people tend to be Middle age people tend to be

overweight more often because their overweight more often because their metabolism is slowing downmetabolism is slowing down

Stress leads to obesityStress leads to obesity

Stress produces the hormone cortisol Stress produces the hormone cortisol which unburned leads to increased which unburned leads to increased heart disease, anxiety and bell fat.heart disease, anxiety and bell fat.

After being stressed, which After being stressed, which temporarily reduces appetite, the temporarily reduces appetite, the hunger cycle increases dramatically hunger cycle increases dramatically leading to binging, or eating the leading to binging, or eating the refrigerator after school.refrigerator after school.

Cultural changes in U.S.Cultural changes in U.S. More sedentary workplaces ( no farming or More sedentary workplaces ( no farming or

factory work)factory work) ComputersComputers TelevisionTelevision Industrialized cheap, available foodIndustrialized cheap, available food Successful advertising aimed at childrenSuccessful advertising aimed at children Society is getting older, therefore fatter as Society is getting older, therefore fatter as

statistical whole.statistical whole. Obsession with body and self worthObsession with body and self worth Restrictive dietingRestrictive dieting

Exercise is good for your health, Exercise is good for your health, but not the “end all” for weight but not the “end all” for weight

controlcontrol

Poorer People tend to be fatter, Poorer People tend to be fatter, and we’re getting more poor peopleand we’re getting more poor people Less exercise in high crime neighborhoodsLess exercise in high crime neighborhoods Less access to good food: cheap high Less access to good food: cheap high

calorie food is the normcalorie food is the norm More stress=more cortisol=more stored More stress=more cortisol=more stored

fatfat Heavy is hotHeavy is hot Lack of health careLack of health care 50% of black and Hispanic women are 50% of black and Hispanic women are

overweight, men are about the same.overweight, men are about the same.

Obamacare: A final word.Obamacare: A final word.

From a MICROsociological perspective, From a MICROsociological perspective, some will pay for parts they don’t use and some will pay for parts they don’t use and that seems unfair.that seems unfair.

At a MACROsociological level, society has At a MACROsociological level, society has been trying to figure out a cost effective been trying to figure out a cost effective way to provide universal care since way to provide universal care since Roosevelt….TEDDY Roosevelt.Roosevelt….TEDDY Roosevelt.• All Presidents since have recognized the need All Presidents since have recognized the need

for cost effective way to deliver.for cost effective way to deliver.

Republicans have generally advocated a Republicans have generally advocated a private system, subsidized by government. private system, subsidized by government. (even Reagan signed bill making hospitals (even Reagan signed bill making hospitals treat those who are uninsured)treat those who are uninsured)

Democrats have generally advocated a Democrats have generally advocated a universal government run plan.universal government run plan.

Obamacare uses the Republican model of Obamacare uses the Republican model of private insurance, subsided by taxes.private insurance, subsided by taxes.

Things you may not want to pay for Things you may not want to pay for nor use, but are for the public good.nor use, but are for the public good. Streetcars, Metro, Aquatic centers, Dog parkesStreetcars, Metro, Aquatic centers, Dog parkes National ParksNational Parks Seat belts in carsSeat belts in cars Sugar farmers subsidies so they don’t have to Sugar farmers subsidies so they don’t have to

compete with foreign sources.compete with foreign sources. Gas explorationGas exploration Local Roads and bridges to nowhereLocal Roads and bridges to nowhere MuseumsMuseums Food stampsFood stamps Social securitySocial security The NSAThe NSA DronesDrones

Scores go from 0 to 36, with zero Scores go from 0 to 36, with zero indication an extremely positive body indication an extremely positive body image.image.

The authors suggest scores about 14 The authors suggest scores about 14 suggest a need to develop a stronger suggest a need to develop a stronger body image.body image.

Facts about Eating DisordersFacts about Eating Disorders

Body dissatisfaction is soaring, 89% of Body dissatisfaction is soaring, 89% of women and 22% of men think they women and 22% of men think they need to lose weight.need to lose weight.

A majority of women would not accept A majority of women would not accept a 10 point rise in IQ if it meant a one a 10 point rise in IQ if it meant a one size rise in butt size.size rise in butt size.

15% of women and 11% of men would 15% of women and 11% of men would sacrifice five years of their life to be sacrifice five years of their life to be their ideal weight. About 25% 3 years.their ideal weight. About 25% 3 years.

Facts about Eating DisordersFacts about Eating Disorders

Pregnancy is increasingly becoming Pregnancy is increasingly becoming associated as an encumbrance to associated as an encumbrance to body style, with women not having body style, with women not having children to keep their shape.children to keep their shape.

Teasing has a lasting effect on body Teasing has a lasting effect on body image and esteem: belief image and esteem: belief perseverance.perseverance.

Body Dysmorphic DisorderBody Dysmorphic Disorder

A warped perception of what your body A warped perception of what your body looks like. Overly critical, obsessive looks like. Overly critical, obsessive misperception of your own body.misperception of your own body.

Separate from other eating disorders in Separate from other eating disorders in that it can be focus on any body part…that it can be focus on any body part…nose, butt, eyes, whatever. Thinking that nose, butt, eyes, whatever. Thinking that that body part is ruining you. Sometimes that body part is ruining you. Sometimes leads to multiple plastic surgeries (Michael leads to multiple plastic surgeries (Michael Jackson)Jackson)

What is your:What is your: Preferred shape (if you’re a guy)Preferred shape (if you’re a guy) Image of yourself (if you’re a girl)Image of yourself (if you’re a girl) Idea of what guys like (girls)Idea of what guys like (girls) Ideal size (girls)Ideal size (girls)

Women and Body ImageWomen and Body Image

Given a scale of body image Given a scale of body image women want to be thinner than women want to be thinner than they think men like.they think men like.

Women’s current body Women’s current body assessment is bigger than what assessment is bigger than what they think men want.they think men want.

Men actually prefer women Men actually prefer women heavier than what women thinkheavier than what women think..

Eating DisordersEating Disorders

Anorexia NervosaAnorexia Nervosa: marked by : marked by extremely lower than ideal weight. extremely lower than ideal weight. Over 15% lower.Over 15% lower.

Bulimia NervosaBulimia Nervosa: Marked by bingeing : Marked by bingeing and purging. Bulimic are weight is and purging. Bulimic are weight is often around normal, making them often around normal, making them more difficult to spot. More Bulimics more difficult to spot. More Bulimics than anorectics.than anorectics.

Eating disorders: AnorexiaEating disorders: Anorexia

Anorexics come from homes with high Anorexics come from homes with high ideals for perfection, parents who are ideals for perfection, parents who are weight obsessed. Mostly a disease of the weight obsessed. Mostly a disease of the upper middle class and wealthy white upper middle class and wealthy white world. Girls tend to be “perfect.” world. Girls tend to be “perfect.”

Control is a big issue with anorexicsControl is a big issue with anorexics Anorexics have massive distortions of Anorexics have massive distortions of

perception, they truly belief they are the perception, they truly belief they are the 500lb woman.500lb woman.

Eating Disorders: bulimiaEating Disorders: bulimia

Bulimics come from families with high Bulimics come from families with high levels of depression and alcoholism.levels of depression and alcoholism.

Bulimia must have a purging element to Bulimia must have a purging element to technically be bulimia.technically be bulimia.

Purging can be in the form of laxatives, Purging can be in the form of laxatives, throwing up, even excessive exercise.throwing up, even excessive exercise.

Bulimia is way more common than Bulimia is way more common than anorexia.anorexia.

Bulimics tend to hover around a normal Bulimics tend to hover around a normal weight.weight.