Why is obesity so prevalent amongst BDSM practitioners?

[sexymom]

"Sorry, I don't buy this. It oversimplifies the issue. Certainly your 3 causes are contributers, but that's not the whole picture. If it were, the NIH would not have classififed obesity as a disease and insurance companies would not be paying for weight loss surgeries. There are genetic, societal, psychological, and neuro-hormonal factors (such as serotonin) that contribute far more to the root causes of obesity. "

And these genetic, societal, psychological and neuro-hormonal factors (such as serotonin) were all invented in the last 10 years or so? Sorry, I don't buy that.

 

[Desdemona]

"Sorry, I don't buy this. It oversimplifies the issue. Certainly your 3 causes are contributers, but that's not the whole picture. If it were, the NIH would not have classififed obesity as a disease and insurance companies would not be paying for weight loss surgeries. There are genetic, societal, psychological, and neuro-hormonal factors (such as serotonin) that contribute far more to the root causes of obesity. "

And these genetic, societal, psychological and neuro-hormonal factors (such as serotonin) were all invented in the last 10 years or so? Sorry, I don't buy that.

Not invented, discovered by unbiased medical researchers who were and still are searching for a cause/successful treatment for this disease. I don't intend to discuss this issue further with someone whose mind is obviously closed.

 

[Kajira Callista]

You do know there is a difference between overweight and obesity. Which one are we talking about sexy mom...because obesity IS a disease, and it has been medically proven to be a disease.

 

[hiddenself]

You do know there is a difference between overweight and obesity. Which one are we talking about sexy mom...because obesity IS a disease, and it has been medically proven to be a disease.

The difference is highly artificial. In their current definitions, they are adjacent categories in the same continuum of weight problems (measured by the Body Mass Index):
Underweight = BMI <18.5
Normal weight = BMI 18.5-24.9
Overweight = BMI 25-29.9
Obesity = BMI 30+
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

I don't know what's your defintion of "disease." As with everything, some people may have a predesposition to gaining weight, but obesity is not a "disease" in the traditional sense. It is an issue because it can cause diseases or health problems (diabetes, heart problems, etc).

As for "medically proven," surely you jest. There are very few things that are medically "proven" to be anything and this ain't one of them.

 

[Kajira Callista]

The difference is highly artificial. In their current definitions, they are adjacent categories in the same continuum of weight problems (measured by the Body Mass Index):
Underweight = BMI <18.5
Normal weight = BMI 18.5-24.9
Overweight = BMI 25-29.9
Obesity = BMI 30+
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

I don't know what's your defintion of "disease." As with everything, some people may have a predesposition to gaining weight, but obesity is not a "disease" in the traditional sense. It is an issue because it can cause diseases or health problems (diabetes, heart problems, etc).

As for "medically proven," surely you jest. There are very few things that are medically "proven" to be anything and this ain't one of them, not by a country mile.

You need to research a little more. It is a hereditary disease/illness, and has been proven to be that. Im not in the mood for the flame crap, i have a migraine. My one and only purpose for posting the link above was to show that the weight issue is not isolated to the bdsm community. enjoy your day.

 

[Desdemona]

Perhaps some of you might read some actual research before expressing opinions about a medical subject. Here, I did a quick search of the National Library of Medicine database. I merely scratched the surface.


#1. Charbonneau C, Bai F, Richards BS, Argyropoulos G.
Central and peripheral interactions between the agouti-related protein and leptin.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Jun 25;319(2):518-24.
PMID: 15178437

#2. Peters A, Schweiger U, Pellerin L, Hubold C, Oltmanns KM, Conrad M, Schultes B, Born J, Fehm HL.
The selfish brain: competition for energy resources.
Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2004 Apr;28(2):143-80.
PMID: 15172762

#3. Hoh J, Ott J.
Genetic dissection of diseases: design and methods.
Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2004 Jun;14(3):229-32.
PMID: 15172663

#4. Jackson SJ, Leahy FE, McGowan AA, Bluck LJ, Coward WA, Jebb SA.
Delayed gastric emptying in the obese: an assessment using the non-invasive C-octanoic acid breath test.
Diabetes Obes Metab. 2004 Jul;6(4):264-70.
PMID: 15171750

#5. Harp JB.
New insights into inhibitors of adipogenesis.
Curr Opin Lipidol. 2004 Jun;15(3):303-7.
PMID: 15166786

#6. Williams G, Cai XJ, Elliott JC, Harrold JA.
Anabolic neuropeptides.
Physiol Behav. 2004 Apr;81(2):211-22.
PMID: 15159168

#7. Horvath TL, Diano S, Tschop M.
Brain circuits regulating energy homeostasis.
Neuroscientist. 2004 Jun;10(3):235-46.
PMID: 15155062

 

[Betticus]

Getting back to the original topic.

I do know that unhappiness and depression are huge factors in weight control. Unhappy, depressed people don't do the healthiest things... go figure..

Not this is just a little theory. I'm tossing it out there for comments.

So if you have a predisposition towards a bdsm lifestyle from childhood on. Either you are on the dominant or submissive side and you are ostracised or seperated out as not normal from an early age. Could this lead to long term depression? Perhaps because of society a lot of us don't figure out that it's okay until much later in life. By then the damage is done. The years of sugar consumption leaves you as a diabetic. The constant weight gain/loss cycles have messed up your metabolism.

Who knows but I though it was worth a thought.

 

[sexymom]

Desdemona: I did not mean to be offensive, and I sincerely apologize for my overly emphatic language. The point I was trying to make is that the obesity/overweight epidemic has occurred only in the last few years. We have made many new discoveries, yes, but I was wondering what has changed in the last 10 yrears or so, except perhaps the increasing prevalence of fast food, large portion sizes. etc.?

The same applies to the original topic- if the premise is correct, and a predisposition towards a bdsm lifestyle can encourage obesity, does this mean that there are a lot more people now with predispositions towards bdsm than there used to be?

 

[Etoile]

often Daddy and i hear that we're such a physically attractive couple

Yes. It's quite true.

 

[ownedsubgal]

Yes. It's quite true.

awwww ty very much Etoile, although i only half agree (he's the really cute one). we thought you were pretty cute yourself (especially the beautiful eyes).

 

[Phoenix Stone]

While it's only anecdotal evidence, before we take all the psychological and, for that matter, lack of self-control theories too seriously, let me tell you about Maxwell. He's the beautiful guy in my AV.
When he was a kitten, we went away for the weekend, leaving him and his pound-sister a large bowl of food and plenty of water. Well, Maxwell was a competitive type, and to keep the food as his territory, he would try to control the foodbowl.
When we came back, the other cat was hungry, and Max looked like a cantelope with feet.
After that, though we learned our lesson and kept the food bowls separated by a great distance to give his sister a chance to eat, it seemed like his food thermostat was now broken or something. He changed from being a normal, if competitive eater, to a cat with a seemingly endless appetite.
As an adult, he topped out at 25 pounds, which is large, even for a Maine coon cat. He Loved to eat and, after the ski weekend incident, always seemed to be hungry.
We treated him exactly the same as I had other cats, allowing as much dry food as was wanted. He's the only one who didn't seem able to self-regulate.
It was suggested that we give him more exercise. He was really always a very active cat. Just fat.
Our vet finally had us switch him to diet food and restrict his portions. He took off 10 pounds, but never stopped being hungry and complaining.

Btw, his self-esteem was fine. He was big and proud.

In retrospect, I wish we hadn't put him on the diet.

It really seemed like that one time of overeating messed up his appetite regulator or something.

I've also had friends, with similar issues. One I'm thinking of particularily, my high school best friend, who got Lots of exercise, was more fit than I at the time, would eat the same amount as me, or less (and I know that because I was around her 24/7 on some days so I saw what she ate and she wasn't hiding anything from me) and she gained weight and I stayed lean. It wasn't fair. She had as much self-discipline as anybody. When I saw the relatives, on one side of her family, they all had the same bodies as hers.

I never even had to Think about food until I stupidly decided to go on a diet when I was a teen -- despite being lean -- because everybody else was doing it. After that, it's been harder. I have to think about it. I'm not overweight now but I Do have to work now to stay that way. My body changed.

 

[Phoenix Stone]

We have made many new discoveries, yes, but I was wondering what has changed in the last 10 yrears or so, except perhaps the increasing prevalence of fast food, large portion sizes. etc.?

The prevalence of dieting may well have increased, as fat does seem to be the last ok prejudice. Dieting does seem to mess up our bodies. Junk food seems to make us hungrier. Being hungry all the time, and it not turning itself off seems to be more the problem. Or you screwup once with an overlarge, supersized meal, like my cat, and get stuck being hungry for big meals after that?

The same applies to the original topic- if the premise is correct, and a predisposition towards a bdsm lifestyle can encourage obesity, does this mean that there are a lot more people now with predispositions towards bdsm than there used to be?

More likely frustration of various types. Wanting to do bdsm, stuffing the feelings or substituting with food. A lot more people with frustration, I'd believe. Not getting what they want and eating instead.
Also, wanting sensory intensity. We don't go into nature and relax -- we go to the scary movies and scream. The modern way of letting off steam.

 

[Marquis]

I used to be pretty chubby. I think a lot of my agression towards women now stems from some feeling of revenge for my previous self that got rejected so often.

 

[bridgeburner]

Also, wanting sensory intensity. We don't go into nature and relax -- we go to the scary movies and scream. The modern way of letting off steam.

Gee, I just go to bed and jack off.


Does anybody outside of NYC and SF walk anywhere anymore? We are far more sedentary people these days than we used to be not just because our jobs have changed but because we don't get as much incidental exercise as we used to. That contributes not only to burning off fewer calories, but also to increased depression. If you don't move around every once in awhile your body misses it and goes into a funk. Unfortunately it's not the sort of thing that makes you generally feel like hopping up to get the lead out and change things. The more you sit around the more you only feel like sitting around moping wondering why you're restless and dissatisfied with your lot. It's an extremely unfun and vicious circle.

But most of our cities and neighborhoods aren't built to encourage walking. Sure, you can take an aimless walk just for the hell of it if you're really motivated, but most people don't do that. If you could walk to the store or to church or your weekly social meetings or the video store and small errands, if walking were more convenient than driving all the time, more people would walk. If public transit were more convenient people would use it.

-B

 

[Ms_Lilith]

I'd like to put forward the idea that some of those involved in BDSM are involved because of emotional/psychological issues, and those very issues might be what prompts them to be overweight.


I'm not necessarily saying that this is my case, but then I'm not saying it's not. I don't know if it is, to be quite honest. But it is a possibiity. I've spoken with rather a few "submissive' woman lately, and been very disturbed at their lack of confidence, their lack of self-worth, self-respect, etc, most of which stemmed from pretty terrible abuse. Most of these women were either rail-thin or obese, and I tend to think that their weight, and their involvement in BDSM... or "BDSM".. were the results of the abuse that they'd suffered.

I wrote "BDSM" because these women really knew nothing about BDSM.. they just knew the term submissive, and took a bunch of shit from a bunch of assholes who professed to be Doms, and were really just using them. They'd never heard the terms "after-care", or "safe, sane, consentual", or many other terms that are focal points of the BDSM lifestyle.

It's really very sad, but it might be the answer to your question, at least in some cases.



I tend to like the answer that's been put forth that we're a more accepting community, but one poster's comment that she'd been fortunate enough to only meet people in good shape makes me wonder about that.

 

[ownedsubgal]

"I tend to like the answer that's been put forth that we're a more accepting community, but one poster's comment that she'd been fortunate enough to only meet people in good shape makes me wonder about that."

vixenshe...i think you may be referring to my post here. first i did not state that i've only met people who are in good shape. i stated that my Master and i have been fortunate in that we have never had any difficulty meeting people who are in good shape. i say "fortunate" because we are physical and sexual with others, so the physical appearance and condition of another does matter to a degree in such situations. it does not mean that we do not associate with any other lifestylers unless they are fit and trim and all that, just that we have preferences when it comes to those we "play" with.


as for the theory that being abused leads one to bdsm in life, that may indeed be true for some, but personally i believe that having a certain personality/nature, such as being submissive, makes one more vulnerable to abuse, and being abused makes one more vulnerable to other issues such as depression, eating disorders, self injury, etc.

 

[Marquis]

Next Post.

 

[Marquis]

Granted, this is coming from the guy who has already been labeled a "looksist" prick, but I don't see why those of us who want our sexual partners to look a certain way should have to temper our opinions. I don't criticize anyone for loving fat people, I don't think I or anyone else should be criticized for loving people in shape.

No tolerance for intolerance is the credo of the new fascists.

 

[Poussin]

.....

 

[FungiUg]

Could it be that there's no more overweight people in the BDSM lifestyle than in any other but that there is simply a smaller "silent group" within this lifestyle???

Interesting... that would imply that the "image" of people in BDSM includes being overweight.

Um... interesting idea, but not one that flies for me. My own personal opinion is that people who are into BDSM are often dealing with depression of one sort of another, and depressive people tend to have more of a problem with weight.

Of course, that's assuming that there really is a higher percentage of overweight people in BDSM than in other sexual persuasions. And I've yet to see any "proof" of that. Although my suspicion is that it is true.

 

[miss_inquisitive]

......

 

[lorddragonwolf]

Desdemona: I did not mean to be offensive, and I sincerely apologize for my overly emphatic language. The point I was trying to make is that the obesity/overweight epidemic has occurred only in the last few years. We have made many new discoveries, yes,



but I was wondering what has changed in the last 10 yrears or so, except perhaps the increasing prevalence of fast food, large portion sizes. etc.?

your basis is that the fast food chains are at fault because people are overweight? then why am i not overwieght? i ate at mcdonalds and burger king lunch and dinner for almost two years all supersized meals with extra orders of fris or added burgers. i could and still do eate large pizzas by myself. makes my wife nuts that i will eat one whole pixzza in a hour period.

People are overweight for a variety of reasons medical and psycolgical. but i guess its easier to blame fast foods than to spend the money on medical studies.

i need to stop before i really get pissed.

 

[lorddragonwolf]

One of the first things i use to do when talking to someone online for the first time and after the introductions where made, i would start listing all my body faults. Having viewed endless pics of perfect bodied young subs, i felt a need to warn and apologize for my short comings. All i was met with was acceptence for me the person not the container i was in.

Others said it and i agree, BDSM tends to be more accepting to all types of people.

for some like myself its whats on the inside that counts.

 

[sexymom]

"your basis is that the fast food chains are at fault because people are overweight? then why am i not overwieght? i ate at mcdonalds and burger king lunch and dinner for almost two years all supersized meals with extra orders of fris or added burgers. i could and still do eate large pizzas by myself. makes my wife nuts that i will eat one whole pixzza in a hour period. "

If there is a Nobel Prize for not making oneself clear, I probably deserve it. It was not my intention to blame McDonald's, et al for the obesity epidemic. They are making money selling us legal products, which we want to buy- nothing wrong with that.

I don't think anyone doubts that there has been a huge increase in obesity in the last 10-15 years. Whenever there is any phenomenon like this, one of the starting points for research is looking at what factors have changed during the period in question.

Yes, it is possible that this type of research- like most other types of research- can lead to erroneous conclusions, but it also often points out things that should have been obvious but were overlooked.

I did not say there were no medical problems which caused obesity. What I did say, or at least what I meant to say, has not been refuted, although I did piss off a lot of people- and, believe me, I didn't mean to.

1: It appears that in the last 10 years or so, there has been a big increase in obesity.

2: In the last 10 years or so, there has been a big increase in the number of fast food restaurants.

3: In the last 10 years or so, there has been a huge increase in portion sizes, in all restaurants, not just fast food.

4: There is some evidence that we have become more sedentary during the same period, despite the number of joggers we see.

Sure, there have always been differences in metabolism, and we should research these differences.

Oh, by the way, I am obese myself. I have discussed this with my doctor on several occasions, and I have actually succeeded in losing about 10 pounds in a year. When I discussed the possibility of metabolic problems with him, he said, "there is some evidence that obesity may be caused by metabolic factors- research is still ongoing on that issue. There is even more conclusive evidence that eating too much makes you fat. No one has ever disproved this theory, although the converse is problematic- reducing the amount you eat does not always make you thin."

I apologize to all the people I offended- but this seems to me sort of like the thing about smoking and lung cancer- most smokers don't get lung cancer-- I think it's about 1 in 3 or 1 in 4- but there is a definite connection, which few people dispute nowadays.

 

[Phoenix Stone]

for some like myself its whats on the inside that counts.

I'm beginning to really Like you!



Ps. And btw all, I happen to be a curvy size 8 (a bit snug this week) these days, and one who gets a lot of attention when she dresses up, but MUCH prefer a world where variety was considered more attractive than the narrow view of what's beautiful, or even accepted, that we have now.