Dr Andrew Weil: Healthy Aging?
Does Dr Andrew Weil look like the poster child of “healthy aging” to you? Alternative medicine guru and author of many NY Times bestsellers including Eight Weeks to Optimal Health and Healthy Aging, Dr Weil looks to me to have central obesity.
Judging from photos as well as an up close look at him speaking at the American Dietetic Association in 2005, his waist size looks to be about 36-38 inches which would put his risk of diabetes anywhere from 3-5x higher than those with smaller waist sizes. While Body Mass Index (BMI) as a proxy for body fat has traditionally been used, waist size as a measure of belly fat is actually a stronger predictor of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by waist size greater than 40 inches or waist:hip ratio > 0.90 (male), hypertension, high cholesterol, and elevated fasting blood sugars.
When I see Andrew Weil, I don’t see “healthy aging.” I see an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and stroke. While I suspect his diet is healthier than 99% of Americans this really isn’t saying much since our overly-refined and processed diet is frankly making us sick, despite the United States having one of the “most modern” health care systems in the world. I agree with Andrew Weil’s overall health message, but would add that the “optimal health” and “healthy aging” evangelist could stand to heed his own well-crafted advice, become more active, shed some pounds and put the “health” back in healthy aging.
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Claude { 10.05.09 at 10:48 am }
Thank you Dr. Marc for having the GUTS to write the article “Dr. Weil Healthy Aging”?.
Why should anyone take health advise from obese/overweight doctor personalities like Dr. Weil or Dr. Phil who don’t practice what they preach ? It’s common knowledge that the closer one is to their BMI (body mass index) the lower the chance of all major health issues (cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes etc). They tell us what to do but they don’t seem to do it themselves. I wonder if they run on a daily basis or have an apple and carrot for lunch ? Just my 2¢
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Jane { 12.26.09 at 3:06 am }
Obesity is not uncommon in the medical profession, even among the ranks of cardiologists. An osteopathic physician of my acquaintance went to address a group of cardiologists on the subject of nutrition and found that the meeting was being held at the local steakhouse. Physician, heal thyself!
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Dr Marc Twitter: @celebdietdoc { 12.26.09 at 4:24 pm }
agreed…
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[...] Weigh In… If true, I feel sorry for Dr Phil. I also reported that the healthy aging doctor, Andrew Weil looks to have central obesity. It just goes to show that even the “experts” have [...]