Tuesday, March 10, 2009

D'oh of the week

Ahh, CNN, you are so rife with fodder for my blog. When I'm in a rush and feeling guilty about not having posted recently, I know I can count on you to have something obnoxious about "obesity" right on your front page. You didn't let me down today! This article is a perfect example of how to imply that being fat raises cholesterol, without actually having to say anything that is technically false! Just say, "Given the increase in childhood obesity and diabetes in the United States..." and then go on to talk about how more kids are being diagnosed with high cholesterol these days. Sure, you didn't say "obesity causes high cholesterol," but will your average reader notice the distinction? Does the author of the article even understand the distinction? My guess is no on both counts.

And about that "increase in childhood obesity"? Uhh, yeah, that kind of ended ten years ago. But hey, the point still stands, right? Assholes.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Exactly, and:

Gardner said doctors worry about elevated cholesterol in children and young adults because they are "very predictive of later cardiovascular events."

Oh right, and who says that just because high levels of cholesterol are very predictive of something, lowering said cholesterol levels will actually prevent that something?? The "prediction" has already taken place, hasn't it? If I come in with different blood levels once a week, will you predict something different each time? That would be neat, Dr. Gardner! Almost like a horoscope! :D

Ellen Mint said...

I'd bet my teeth the reason that more children are being diagnosed with high cholesterol is a combo of them changing what is considered low and that they're actually testing for it more now.

I had the horror of being tested when I was younger because my mom has high and it was awful. There's really no point to test anyway, as they won't do anything til you're 18 so it's just so stupid.

Unknown said...

okay... what if you were skinny and have high colesterol what says that being overweight/obese is a trigger? yes i will agree that it is something to look at but there are a vast array of things to look at but testing so young? i would shy away from it.