weight loss and empathy

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.