12 Years, 3,000 Posts, and a Few Insights in Obesity

Twelve years ago, we conceived of something we called ConscienHealth. This week, LinkedIn reminded us and everyone we know on that platform of this anniversary. So many kind words have been flowing in for which we are truly grateful. But this also prompted us to take a look back at what’s happened over those 12 years. We’ve written now more than 3,000 posts, met quite a few good and smart people, and gained a few insights into obesity along the way.

Every day, we learn from seeing what you find most interesting to read about and from your feedback.

Keto, Carbs, and Correlations

Three of the most read items on this site have been about low-carb or ketogenic diets. First among those was this post about Kevin Hall’s study comparing low-fat and low-carb diets in a tightly controlled study for four weeks. The results were surprising because they ran counter to conventional wisdom about these dietary approaches. So naturally, keto lovers and haters went at it. Nutrition seems to engender something akin to holy wars. Objectivity is scarce.

The other theme that runs through some of the most read posts is the conflation of correlation with causality. In fact, the number one most read item ever was a post this year about a study that suggested “lettuce consumption increased COVID-19 mortality.”

This might have been a parody of nutritional epidemiology. But it wasn’t. And unfortunately, some of the biggest apostles of nutritional epidemiology sometimes take themselves too seriously. It’s hard to forget the suggestion from Harvard epidemiologists that randomized controlled studies are a contrivance of the pharmaceutical industry. Something that “cannot be readily translated for use in the nutritional sciences.”

The COVID Spotlight

COVID-19 is another subject attracting a lot of attention here. Since the emergence of the pandemic, about twice as many people are reading what we offer here every day. This pandemic is a source of intense interest for the folks who follow us, in part because of the connection between obesity and COVID-19 outcomes. Our first post on this subject, back in March, is one of the most read and most shared items we have ever published.

In fact, the second most read post to date on this site was about COVID-19 and nicotine, with not one mention of obesity.

Appreciation

These 12 years have given us the gift of appreciation. We have come to appreciate the value of curiosity and objectivity for finding ways to reduce the harm of obesity. We’ve learned at a very personal level how great the need is for providing better care to people living with obesity.

But most of all, we become ever more grateful for smart, kind, and generous people who reach out to us with insights and encouragement. Thank you for that.

Good Friends at ObesityWeek 2019, photograph © Ted Kyle

Subscribe by email to follow the accumulating evidence and observations that shape our view of health, obesity, and policy.

September 21, 2020