In order to have empathy or understand another's medical issue, do you need to have experienced that problem yourself? If you have never suffered from the pain of a kidney stone, can you understand what that must feel like to have this type of pain? If you have never experienced the loss of a loved one prematurely, is it not possible to understand the grief and depression that accompanies this loss?
When it comes to weight control issues, I am certain that everyone of you have friends who seem to have no difficulty managing their weight. They can drink alcohol, snack on high-caloric foods and otherwise pay little-no attention to their food intake. Can these people understand the struggles that most people have achieving and maintaining a healthy weight? Do you find yourself feeling a bit jealous or upset with them?
As physicians, I do believe we have a better sense of what people go through even if we do not experience these issues ourselves. Treating patients everyday, you get a great feel for the frustrations, control issues, mood contributions and all of the other factors that are involved with weight control.
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most difficult goals for many people. If it wasnt' 68% of America would not be overweight.
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Jealous? No. Just curious. This program has helped me to experience why some people are slim and others struggle with their weight. They have a different chemical balance. It is very easy to think people who are fat have no self control - why can't they just say no? It is hard to understand until you walk in someone else's shoes.
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