Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Finally, we're talking about eating (rather than weight)

Amid the usual hysterical news stories about the so-called obesity epidemic I was pleased to come across an item about new research out of Penn State looking at eating competence as a risk factor in heart disease.

Using an eating competence scale developed by Ellyn Satter, researchers found that--surprise, surprise--people at risk for heart disease fared better when they were "confident, comfortable, and flexible with their eating habits."

Being comfortable with your eating seems to mitigate other risk factors, including elevated LDL cholesterol. It's process over product, holistic health over health-by-the-numbers. It's the act of eating rather than the rigidly controlled carbs and calories approach.

Now we know the truth: fear of food is bad for your health. Mangia va bene!