As should be obvious from this cursory observation, there is no perfect measure of body fatness, or body fat distribution. Each easily usable measures have its advantages and disadvantages and these need to be considered carefully according to the situation. Some measures, e.g. BMI, WHR and ADI, might be combined in the practical situation and others would be left to more technical research procedures. For example, measure conicity (C-index) has its advantages and disadvantages. Advantages: adds height to fat distribution measure, simple, non invasive, cheap. Disadvantages: its calculation problems, lack of uniform norms for risk.

Accessible new machine measures have improved the level of sophistication of measurement but the degree of imperfection which remains in all current’ measures suggests there is an art to body fat measurement that is still required to accompany the science.

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The full name of the disorder of self-starvation, first coined by a Dr. Gull in the nineteenth century, is anorexia nervosa. While “anorexia”-Greek for “without hunger” or “lack of appetite”-is a real symptom of many illnesses, it’s a poor label for people who are obsessed with food and who constantly fight the urge to eat. Only in the final stages of their illness do anorexics actually lose their appetites. A doctor who takes the word anorexia literally, who assumes that his anorexic patients have no desire for food, might give them appetite stimulants. For a woman with a constant, gnawing hunger, whose self-esteem depends on controlling her eating, such an approach spells disaster.

Experts spliced on the word nervosa to show that the illness involves not just a single symptom, but a whole range of psychological and physical problems. Anorexia nervosa describes a syndrome-a set of symptoms that occur together.

Not everyone is happy with the name. One English physician prefers weight phobia. Yes, anorexics do feel a powerful fear of fatness, but the disease is much more complex than that. Other fears besides that of weight may also be present-a fear of growing up, of maturity, or of separation from the family. Some writers like to use self-starvation, plain and simple.

However, anorexia nervosa is the name most professionals prefer, while laypeople use anorexia to indicate the whole syndrome rather than the single symptom of loss of appetite.

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Addicted to cocaine, alcohol, and nicotine, John joined Alcoholics Anonymous in 1994. Two years of hard work later, with support from both professionals and friends, he was clean.

When John stopped using, though, he noticed that food tasted better. How much better? Within a few short months, he gained 60 pounds. He was carrying 232 pounds on his 5-foot, 2-inch frame.

Unhappy, John sought help from a dietitian, who taught him how to make wiser food choices. It didn’t help. John’s problem was much bigger: He realized that he had become addicted to food. “Once I started eating, I couldn’t stop,” he says. “If I was offered a doughnut at a customer’s office, I’d not only eat two more, but I’d hit every doughnut shop along my route.”

Then he remembered: He had stayed clean from his drug ad-

dictions by avoiding places where drugs were available. He could do the same with food.

When John would drop off his packages, instead of sticking around, he would get back in his truck. It was simple, but it worked.

John made other lifestyle changes that helped him control his food addiction and take off those unwanted pounds. Once again, he sought help from a dietitian—but this time, he successfully cut his fat intake and weaned himself off his favorite junk foods. He also launched an exercise program that consisted of brisk walking as well as stretching and toning exercises. “It took a lot of discipline to stick with it, but I had a lot of support from my friends,” he says.

Within 2 years, the extra pounds—67 of them—melted away. Today, John maintains his weight at 165 pounds. He wouldn’t mind losing a few more, but he’s not worried. He knows he can just say no to food.

WINNING ACTION

Steer clear of food pushers. If colleagues offer you baked goods, graciously decline. Also, try to limit your time in break rooms and other common areas where cakes, cookies, and other temptations lurk. Sometimes, proximity beats the toughest willpower!

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