Comments on: Abortions also make women skinnier…. http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/08/31/abortions-also-make-women-skinnier/ Feminist, anti-racist, pro-fat, plus whatever else we feel like talking about. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:31:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Robert http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/08/31/abortions-also-make-women-skinnier/#comment-303247 Robert Mon, 03 Sep 2007 21:48:59 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/08/31/abortions-also-make-women-skinnier/#comment-303247 The report is titled "Inquiry Into Obesity and Type II Diabetes". It is not an inquiry into breastfeeding. In the context of obesity and type II diabetes, the relevant fact about breastfeeding is that it seems to discourage both conditions. So that is what the report discusses. The report is titled “Inquiry Into Obesity and Type II Diabetes”. It is not an inquiry into breastfeeding. In the context of obesity and type II diabetes, the relevant fact about breastfeeding is that it seems to discourage both conditions. So that is what the report discusses.

]]> By: Deborah http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/08/31/abortions-also-make-women-skinnier/#comment-303243 Deborah Mon, 03 Sep 2007 21:17:34 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/08/31/abortions-also-make-women-skinnier/#comment-303243 Extended breastfeeding helps prevent cancer, SIDS, childhood leukemia, and dental problems, among other things. But the only thing that mobilizes the fucking government is that it helps prevent obesity. ::headdesk:: Extended breastfeeding helps prevent cancer, SIDS, childhood leukemia, and dental problems, among other things. But the only thing that mobilizes the fucking government is that it helps prevent obesity.

::headdesk::

]]> By: Madeline http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/08/31/abortions-also-make-women-skinnier/#comment-302970 Madeline Sat, 01 Sep 2007 12:50:53 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/08/31/abortions-also-make-women-skinnier/#comment-302970 Breastfeeding also helps protect the baby from certain types of cancer, right? And I'm pretty sure that important antibodies are passed from the mother to the baby through breast milk. Not to mention that the act of breastfeeding strengthens the emotional bond between mother and baby. I think there's more to be said for breastfeeding than "it keeps people from being fat," and if if that's all this report mentions, it's a stupid and superficial report. Obesity alone is not a disease, as far as I am aware. Breastfeeding also helps protect the baby from certain types of cancer, right? And I’m pretty sure that important antibodies are passed from the mother to the baby through breast milk. Not to mention that the act of breastfeeding strengthens the emotional bond between mother and baby.

I think there’s more to be said for breastfeeding than “it keeps people from being fat,” and if if that’s all this report mentions, it’s a stupid and superficial report. Obesity alone is not a disease, as far as I am aware.

]]> By: djw http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/08/31/abortions-also-make-women-skinnier/#comment-302936 djw Sat, 01 Sep 2007 06:11:24 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/08/31/abortions-also-make-women-skinnier/#comment-302936 I agree that it's maddening the way public health discussions constantly conflate obesity concerns and actual health concerns, and it certainly leads to some bad policy outcomes (although clearly not this time). From an American perspective, though, I can't say I'd care much what public reasons the government gave us for enacting a policy like this, as long as they did it. Their going to be on this anti-obesity kick anyway, whether enacting good and just policies or bad, unjust and stupid ones. That seems like a given. It would seem that while guilt-inducing pressure to breastfeed is suboptimal, this policy still enhances the choice of whether or not to breastfeed (by making it easier to do so should you wish to) more than it restricts it. I agree that it’s maddening the way public health discussions constantly conflate obesity concerns and actual health concerns, and it certainly leads to some bad policy outcomes (although clearly not this time).

From an American perspective, though, I can’t say I’d care much what public reasons the government gave us for enacting a policy like this, as long as they did it. Their going to be on this anti-obesity kick anyway, whether enacting good and just policies or bad, unjust and stupid ones. That seems like a given.

It would seem that while guilt-inducing pressure to breastfeed is suboptimal, this policy still enhances the choice of whether or not to breastfeed (by making it easier to do so should you wish to) more than it restricts it.

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