| So, what is a mental health specialist doing writing | | | | control his addiction to sugar and his cravings for |
| about a medical problem, diabetes? | | | | carbohydrates. |
| The answer is that this most critical health care crises | | | | A few years later I had a heartbreaking experience |
| is being driven by lifestyle choices which, when altered, | | | | when visiting this brilliant man. While only in his sixties, he |
| makes diabetes almost 100% preventable. I, like almost | | | | was sitting in a nursing home bed with both legs |
| every American, have been personally affected and | | | | amputated. An outcome that was most surely |
| am concerned about the public health crisis the | | | | avoidable had he been able to manage his weight |
| massive increase in diabetes is causing. | | | | through a healthy diet and exercise. |
| Many years ago, a physician and colleague of mine | | | | Unfortunately, most of us see the power of the |
| went into practice with a well known, highly successful | | | | addiction to food all around us daily. Chances are, if |
| "star" in his specialty of urology, a man suffering from | | | | you're a USA citizen, you're overweight (2/3rds |
| diabetes. After a few years of working in the older | | | | currently are). And I'm almost 100% certain you know |
| doctor's office the standing joke with my friend and | | | | someone who is obese. |
| the staff was how to keep the good doctor from | | | | Why am I writing about obesity and resulting diabetes |
| eating the dozen candy bars he kept stashed his desk | | | | epidemic? Because of the old saying of "it's not what |
| at all times. Like the spouse or friend of the alcoholic | | | | we are eating but what is eating us". Making the case |
| who pours out the alcohol, they often raided his desk | | | | for emotional eating helps to focus on the cause of |
| throwing out the candy, trying to no avail to help him | | | | the eating behavior not just the behavior. |