GBH Openvault
Facts of Medicine; Overweight
Part of From the Vault.
05/31/1956
Why is overweight of such concern? There are many reasons. First, vanity. People who are not overweight probably look more attractive than those who are. Reasons of health and disease: People who are overweight suffer excess mortality; Actuarial data show that mortality increases with overweight. Those who are overweight, die more often of diabetes, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, cirrhosis of the liver, gall bladder disease, and auto accidents and falls. Why do people get fat? They take in more fuel than they burn it up. Storing fat gave early man an evolutionary advantage. Calories are a measure of energy. The quality and form of food we eat is more important than the amount (weight) of food. Example: two cupcakes vs. apple. Also advocates that adults pursue mild exercise, like walking instead of taking the car. Best to prevent overweight. Overweight adults should not turn to pills and other nostrums, but eat a balanced diet low in fats and alcohol. Eat slowly. Keep a food diary. Avoid double helpings and snacks. Have a uniform diet for the whole family. Summary and select metadata for this record was submitted by Dr. Gerald Oppenheimer. Parker Wheatley in conversation with David D. Rutstein talk about the increased risk of health problems in individuals who are overweight.
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- Series
- Facts of Medicine
- Program
- Overweight
- Series Description
Dr. David R. Rutstein, Professor of Preventive Medicine, Harvard University examines "vital problems in the fields of medicine and community health... " Series ran weekly for 40 weeks beginning on 10/6/1955. First program examined "The Salk Polio Vaccine." Series release date: 1955
- Program Description
Interviewer Parker Wheatley in conversation with David D. Rutstein about: the increased risk of health problems in individuals who are overweight; the relationship between being overweight and developing diabetes or coronary disease; why people get "fat"; and how prevention should start with childhood eating habits and exercise.
Series description: Dr. David R. Rutstein, Professor of Preventive Medicine, Harvard University examines "vital problems in the fields of medicine and community health... " Series ran weekly for 40 weeks beginning on 10/6/1955. First program examined "The Salk Polio Vaccine."
- Duration
00:29:34
- Asset Type
Broadcast program
- Media Type
Video
- Subjects
- Dieting and Exercise
- Obesity
- Rutstein, David
- Wheatley, Parker, 1906-1999
- Nutrition
- Mortality and Obesity
- Genres
- Educational
- Topics
- Medicine
- Contributors
- Wheatley, Parker, 1906-1999 (Host)
- Radar, Paul (Director)
- Rutstein, David (Host)
- Publication Information
- Presented by the Harvard Medical Library and the WGBH Educational Foundation
- Citation
- Chicago: “Facts of Medicine; Overweight,” 05/31/1956, GBH Archives, accessed April 25, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_8DA0940C47EE4AA980262DA483D935F6.
- MLA: “Facts of Medicine; Overweight.” 05/31/1956. GBH Archives. Web. April 25, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_8DA0940C47EE4AA980262DA483D935F6>.
- APA: Facts of Medicine; Overweight. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_8DA0940C47EE4AA980262DA483D935F6