Blind leading the blind

As long as there is now a space for complaining I'll post my pet peeve regarding CZ forums.

As soon as someone posts a physical problem or symptom (the majority of the time it is one or many symptoms) there are immediate responses all over the board on how to cure the posted difficulty.  Combined with this there is also an irrational hatred for medical doctors.  (Who do you go to when you break a leg?  Or severely cut yourself, such as an artery slash?  Or are pulled from a wrecked automobile?)

So, what is the first thing that a medical doctor does when you pay him/her a visit?  They measure how tall you are and then they weigh you!  How many problem posters on CZ post their weight?   I think in the several years that I've scanned CZ I've seen one, maybe two.  Why is weight important?  Any medical doctor worth his salt will tell you to lose weight if you are overweight, particularly if you are obese and they will advise you accordingly.  In fact, they may advise you that this is your top priority.

There are many physical ills associated with being overweight and/or obese.  Here's but a few:

The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity

Research has shown that as weight increases to reach the levels referred to as "overweight" and "obesity,"* the risks for the following conditions also increases:¹

• Coronary heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
• Stroke
• Liver and Gallbladder disease
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
• Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility)

*Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher; obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.

By the way, Type II diabetes is the sixth leading killer in the United States and we are the fattest developed country in the world.  Being overweight leads to Type II.

We are also a nation of people who sit on our butts and Science is now telling us that exercise, particularly walking or jogging is equally important for health and longevity as is a proper diet.  (Slow joggers live six years longer than those who don't jog.)

I'm not suggesting that people post the weight on CZ, just suggesting that it would be very helpful to post their body mass index (BMI) and how to figure it is done for you right here:

http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

What particularly tics me off is that many of the response "cures" are posted by overweight and even obese individuals who don't exercise.  I know that from the pictures of the posters and and their stated aversion to getting off of their butts.  They are a part of the "oral first" lazy Americans who don't really know how to live life.

Thank you.