response 33 of 61:

Sep 14 21:33 UTC 1998

John, have you looked at the web pages I posted the URLs for?  Have you looked
at the book I suggested?

Many of the reports I've read have defined "fat" and "obesity", but I'm afraid
that I don't have the URLs or papers available right now.  I know that BFL
also defines then for many of the studies it reviews, but my copy is in a box
somewhere right now.  Threfore I can only say that you have to look at
particular studies for specific definitions -- but I have been well over the
the threshold in all of the studies I've read.  (5'3" 300 lbs. -- I read most
of them before "the metamorphosis" began.)

Sindi,  you're right.  I've never claimed that fat in the face of a poor diet
and no exercise protects anyone from anything.  Only when combined with
adequate nutrition and exercise does a little padding provide any benefits.
I suspect that had her genes been different your aunt would have been slim
and still died of colon cancer -- her diet sounds like a nightmare!  All that
fat is definitely an invitation to trouble.

The definition of fit is a lot easier to find.  The standard I've heard for
"fitness" is the ability to attain and maintain one's "target heart rate" for
10 minutes comfortably -- still able to speak without gasping, no pain, etc.)
Now someone is going to ask me to define a target heart rate, right?  ;)  I'm
not sure how to calculate it, but I hve a hunch that Scott might...