In a recent interview on CBS 60 Minutes, Dr. Fatima Cody claimed that genetics is the primary cause of obesity. However, Dr. Ben Bikman disagrees with this assertion, arguing that instances of true genetic-induced obesity are rare. While there may be a familial tendency towards weight gain, it is multifaceted and ignores the environmental effects of obesity. Dr. Bikman believes that promoting genetics as the primary cause of obesity can lead to fatalistic thinking and deny individual responsibility, as lifestyle changes can help people take control of their health, and the emphasis on genetics can discourage individuals from making positive changes.

Dr. Bikman’s view is supported by scientific evidence, which suggests that while genetics play a role in obesity, it is not the sole cause. Instead, a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors contribute to the development of obesity. Dr. Bikman also highlights the danger of promoting fatalistic thinking, where individuals feel they cannot change their weight or make positive changes to their health. This can be particularly harmful for individuals struggling with obesity, as it denies their ability to make choices and take control of their health.

It is important to acknowledge that familial tendencies towards weight gain exist, but this should not be used as an excuse for inaction. Instead, we should encourage individuals to take responsibility for their health and make positive lifestyle changes. By focusing on individual responsibility and the power of choice, we can empower individuals to make positive changes to their health and wellbeing.

In conclusion, while genetics play a role in obesity, it is not the sole cause. By promoting genetics as the primary cause of obesity, we risk denying individual responsibility and promoting fatalistic thinking. Instead, we should encourage individuals to take control of their health and make positive lifestyle changes, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of obesity and the power of choice.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Dr. Bikman believes that promoting genetics as the primary cause of obesity can lead to fatalistic thinking and deny individual responsibility, as lifestyle changes can help people take control of their health, and the emphasis on genetics can discourage individuals from making positive changes.
• Dr. Fatima Cody claimed on CBS 60 minutes that obesity is primarily caused by genetics, which Dr. Ben Bikman disagrees with, stating that instances of true genetic-induced obesity are rare.
• While there may be a familial tendency towards weight gain, it is multifaceted and ignores the environmental effects of obesity. Dr. Bikman believes telling someone they cannot change their weight is counterproductive and denies humans' ability to make choices.

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Transcription

Dr. Latt Mansor:

There was a section of CBS 60 minutes where Dr. Fatima Cody was interviewed. She's a doctor from Stanford and she made a claim that obesity is caused by first and foremost genetics. Meaning to say it's almost, I like the premise of how they formed the perspective that, oh, it's not the person's fault, but then when you say that it's not the person's fault, there's nothing they can do either. When you say it's genetics. So what's your take on that?

Dr. Ben Bikman

Now, we do know that there's certainly a familial tendency to these where one family just happens to just gain fat more easily than another family. But even then and if that is what she meant. Then I can sort of say, yeah okay that's not what she said. But if she meant that there's a familial pattern to fat gain and predisposition towards fat gain, I could say, yeah, that is an accurate statement. But the way it was expressed was that it is genetic and thus there's nothing you can do that I disagree. Completely I mean as strongly as I can and while being polite I disagree with that sentiment. There is no clear genetic disposition or pattern in people that have even familial tendencies to gain weight. Even then we can't put our finger on, oh, it's this mutation. This mutation, or this gene, this gene, this gene. It's multifaceted, it's much more than that. But even still, it completely ignores the environmental effect here. That even if someone has a familial predisposition to gaining weight, telling them that it is hopeless is utterly counterproductive. And very unfortunate because it totally ignores the fact that a human has the ability to make choices and we know that people can lose weight. We know that people can lose a fantastic amount of weight and keep it off indefinitely. What do we say to them that they don't exist? That they're a black swan. That's impossible. Well, black swans do exist. So I thought it was a very unfortunate viewpoint. And it's also at a deeper philosophical level which I worry might have been part of the point of this growing creeping philosophy. That’s nothing that we aren't in charge and we can't be responsible for ourselves as a father. That is like the worst form of parenting. You know, if I were to tell my kids, nothing you do matters. Everything just happens to you and you on your own are incapable of eliciting any change in your own life or anyone else's. What a horrific and depressing point of view.

Dr. Latt Mansor:

Yeah you're born and you've given these cards and you just have to deal with that

Dr. Ben Bikman

Yes what a depressing view. And again, I worry that is her statements reflect a growing trend in the modern world of no accountability, and I reject that premise completely.

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