IS Gluttony a Disease or Choice?

[Katie5]

With so much brouhaha on obesity, is gluttony a disease or choice then?

I know exactly when I overeat- my stomach tells my I am full;

My brain sends me signals that I am full;

My sluggish rhythm tells me that I should stop.I know I should,

But I just have to have that last piece, so I would know it's gone and not be tempted again.Right?

So what better place to save the last piece than in my already capacity filled stomach:).Aaah, the food tastes so good.

Or I am feeling under the weather and having a pity-party of two, myself and food that is.

Food gives me a happy feeling (short-lived though) because I realise that when the pity-party is gone, I feel much worse when I can't fit into my clothes or I become more sluggish then when I first started.

That makes me feel much worse because now I've gone and done it -ruined the victory I had achieved in dealing with weight. So I feel sad all over again and resort to eating more perhaps that would help lift the blues that I feel right now from not fitting properly into my dress.

The blues lift (albeit temporarily) and I go to try my clothes again and feel much more worse, because the fit is even worse than before and then I feel the blues all over again and resort to food to make me feel better...you know the rest. It's a vicious cycle.

Oh wait(happy ending:), perhaps I can substitute something in its place, I'll go read a book, or maybe call a friend

Perhaps take a walk or maybe....Yeah right. I'd rather sit and have this last bite, it tastes so good.(Not so happy after all LO:rolleyes:L)

Is gluttony a choice or disease?

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Anyone who pretends and chooses a blind eye to gluttony is fooling themselves, just like food is an addiction, gluttony, overeating, pigging out..WHATEVER

exists too.

That's a fact, Jack.

[General E. Speaking, RN, RN]

But what I haven't yet seen in this discussion is acknowledgement of the fact that while one can stop smoking/drinking/drugging/gambling/etc. forever, one can never stop eating. I challenge anyone who speaks of 'gluttons' to name me even one other addictive substance which the addict must continue to consume every day......lack of control over it is NOT simply a character defect!

I was wondering when someone would mention this. Valid point, Viva!

[BloodCleanerRN]

There are as many reasons and excuses are there are people IMO.

Been pregnant three times. Gained more than 50 lbs (during the two full term pregnancies - the other was preemie at 33 weeks) that put my weight up over 200lbs at 5'6''. There was no one to blame but myself for the weight gain during those pregnancies...well, no one other than Ben and Jerry...and maybe Ronald McDonald.

My youngest full termer is now 8 months old and I'm only 5 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight... yes, the weight I was before my 1st child.

Been there, done that. My choices caused me to gain weight, and my choices caused me to lose weight. The stretch marks may never go away...but, by Gosh, the weight sure will!! And, I'm sure chasing 3 boys age five and younger help keep me VERY active too.

[pinksugar]

Well, that is a loaded question indeed. I think it depends on the individual.

I also think that sugar is one of the most addictive substances known to man.

[Scarlette Wings]

with so much brouhaha on obesity, is gluttony a disease or choice then?

i know exactly when i overeat- my stomach tells my i am full;

my brain sends me signals that i am full;

my sluggish rhythm tells me that i should stop.i know i should,

but i just have to have that last piece, so i would know it's gone and not be tempted again.right?

so what better place to save the last piece than in my already capacity filled stomach:).aaah, the food tastes so good.

or i am feeling under the weather and having a pity-party of two, myself and food that is.

food gives me a happy feeling (short-lived though) because i realise that when the pity-party is gone, i feel much worse when i can't fit into my clothes or i become more sluggish then when i first started.

that makes me feel much worse because now i've gone and done it -ruined the victory i had achieved in dealing with weight. so i feel sad all over again and resort to eating more perhaps that would help lift the blues that i feel right now from not fitting properly into my dress.

the blues lift (albeit temporarily) and i go to try my clothes again and feel much more worse, because the fit is even worse than before and then i feel the blues all over again and resort to food to make me feel better...you know the rest. it's a vicious cycle.

oh wait(happy ending:), perhaps i can substitute something in its place, i'll go read a book, or maybe call a friend

perhaps take a walk or maybe....yeah right. i'd rather sit and have this last bite, it tastes so good.(not so happy after all lo:rolleyes:l)

is gluttony a choice or disease?

wow, that's a tough one. people with an overeating disorder really are not just gluttons. there is often a lack of signaling from the stomach to the brain "we are full, stop eating." most normal people, if they do eat excessively ,will get nauseated, feel pain from being too full, and literally become sick and throw up. a lot of obese people don't ever really "feel" full, nor do they understand the feeling of hunger. there seems to be a lack of stomach to appetite to brain connection.

their metabolism is out of balance and often females exhibit hormonal issues and an overproduction of cortisone. any form of steriod, even naturally produced changes the body shape to more round "apple" shape and increases hunger. creating sort of vicious cycle. that excess glutocorticoids can creat diabetes, cause loss of hair, change body shape, and the excess fat cells also hold and release estrogen and that has an effect on the body.

i have seen people of normal body weight eat huge amounts and be of average or underweight size. i have watched people who yo-yo diet until they can eat 1300 calories a day and gain weight from that because their bodies have become used to decreased calories and goes into startvation mode holding every ounce of fat it can.

i definitely know it happens within families and even kids adopted out or raised by extended family turn out like their mom, dad, sisters, ect and have large body structures and weight. i do know that we choose what we put into our mouths, but i wonder if there is something inside that uses metabolism, genectics, and the endocrine system that causes the inner body to appropriate food use and distribution differently even when handling the same food. i don't think there is an easy answer. i think accepting that as long as a person stays active and eats right overall at whatever weight, it would be better for us all in the long run.

[Quark09]

It's just a word...how you interpret it, is your problem and issue.

Right... that's why you'd see it in charting, nurse's notes, that sort of thing?

[jlcole45]

It's a choice ... we choose to eat more then we should... we choose not to go exercise... we choose to sit in front of the computer (as I am right now).

I think everyone is forgetting this is a fairly recent phenomena. It has to do with a change in our work - from physical work to desk work, the change in our food - more and more people eat junk, fast food as regular meals with fewer home cooked meals, and the introduction of tv and computer based entertainment - so our kids don't go outside and play any more they sit for hours and hours playing video games.

Check out the CDC's site on state obesity rates for the last 25 years .. what the map and how

it drastically changes

Obesity and Overweight for Professionals: Data and Statistics: U.S. Obesity Trends | DNPAO | CDC

So scary stuff!

[Clementia]

Here's the thing: I didn't choose to have a large bone structure (i.e. size x-large gloves, size 10 shoes). But I can choose whether or not to eat a Snickers or go drink a glass of water instead. And I don't believe that being fat (like me) is a sin, or that eating candy bars or cheeseburgers is sinful. But when I overindulge, I'm harming myself and, yes, engaging in gluttonous behavior.

Fat isn't always a choice. Overindulgence is.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

Well you picked a fine time to resurrect this~ I was just sitting here chomping down on leftover Thanksgiving pie!