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Absolutely amazing the hoops they will jump through to make the data fit their theory. It terrifies me that this stuff gets published in peer reviewed journals. Of course, if all the "peers" want to have their biases confirmed, it's going to get passed without critical review.

The content of the study is just depressing. People reported being manipulated into dieting bullshit because of absolute nonsense that should have medical licenses pulled. At least one person had the same experience I (and so many others) have had, a doctor telling them they'll die in a few years if they don't become skinny. Like the very, very old joke goes, "How much weight do I have to lose to live forever?" Threatening people with literal death should not be an acceptable thing for those who hold a professional license.

The responses are in general depressing. Lots of people equating their body weight not just to health but to self-worth. The responses to "What's the downside" are telling. People talk about having to constantly think about food & exercise - disordered eating at best, eating disorder at worst. They think this is a good trade-off, because they've been convinced that body size is the only determinant of health that matters.

As to these ridiculous "registries of successful loss," I compare them to competing in the Olympics. There's a very small list of people who get to do that. The idea that "everyone can compete in the Olympics if they just try hard enough" is just as absurd as the idea that weight is 100% under our control and you can be skinny if you only just try harder.

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