# Stoid, Are You Still Confident that You Know a Lot about Diet and Obesity? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 12, 2013, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100 "2013-02-12T18:34:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/301 "2014-11-04T17:04:19Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Let’s see if I have this straight: > > 1. In a discussion about diet and obesity, somebody volunteers a public post on the internet regarding their weight loss and weight loss strategy; > > 2. Another poster politely asks if he can follow up with them in a year or two about their progress and the poster graciously agrees; > > 3. The other poster does follow up in the same discussion and the poster graciously provides a status update. > > That’s the “dictionary definition” of “obsessive stalker”? > > Are you freaking serious? Yes. I am serious. You though, are a stalker and also an obsessive weirdo. I’ve also heard that you’re funny looking and smell vaguely like mildewed carpet and dog pee. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/302 "2014-11-04T17:13:29Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I gained 4 pounds just by looking at that link. See how good they are? I have to keep eating them. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/303 "2014-11-04T18:59:54Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Well, yuhhh… since your motives in doing so are, uh, what now? Because even when you’re convinced you’re smarter than everyone else, and know everything there is to know about everything, it’s nice to get confirmation from time to time. And of course, any opportunity for [this](http://i.imgur.com/bTBaw1q.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/304 "2014-11-04T19:55:39Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Yes. > > I am serious. Let’s recap: **Zuzu** : I lost 60 pounds on a low carb diet, my BMI is now in the healthy range. **brazil84** : That’s great, I’ve been doing some informal research on diet and weight loss. Would you mind if I followed up with you in a year or two? **Zuzu** : Not at all [a year or two later] **brazil84** : So how’s your BMI doing? **Zuzu** : Great, I kept the weight off. **brazil84** : That’s great, and thank you for sharing. **Fenris** : Creepy stalker!!! Creepy stalker!!! ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/305 "2014-11-04T19:58:49Z")
Yes, nothing in this thread gives off creepy stalker vibes at all. I suspect this thread and its continuation was the result of some sort of drunken bet. “I bet I could be more annoying than Stoid!” “No way. I’ll put 50 bucks on it” “Alright, let me set some reminders on my cell phone… you’re on.” ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/306 "2014-11-04T20:00:29Z")
Definitely creepy stalker. If you (although IIRC, I’m on brazzies now infamous “not-really-on-ignore” list) are genuinely interested and not just pulling some passive-aggressive bullshit attention whoring stunt, you would send a PM. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/307 "2014-11-04T20:00:59Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Removing the fat did not change the metabolic issues which is evidence that the fat did not cause the metabolic issues. I see. That’s not quite the same thing as saying that insulin resistance or diabetes cause obesity. For example, it’s possible that a third factor (over-eating?) causes insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity. In fact, I recall that there have been studies which suggested that moderate sustained weight loss yields significant health benefits. This also suggests that fat per se is not the primary problem. Anyway, I do think you make a good point. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/308 "2014-11-04T20:06:05Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Yes, nothing in this thread gives off creepy stalker vibes at all. > > I suspect this thread and its continuation was the result of some sort of drunken bet. > > “I bet I could be more annoying than Stoid!” > “No way. I’ll put 50 bucks on it” > “Alright, let me set some reminders on my cell phone… you’re on.” * * * **brazil84** : Do you mind if I follow up with you? **zuzu** : Sure no problem **brazil84** : [follows up] **Senorbeef** : Creepy Stalker!!! Creepy Stalker!! Troll!! Troll!! ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/309 "2014-11-04T20:07:41Z")
More like: _reads thread_ “Yep, definitely some weird stalker vibes going on here” You’re just coming off as weird and obsessed and digging the hole deeper every time you revive it. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/310 "2014-11-04T20:12:44Z")
It makes absolutely **no difference at all** that you a) were polite and b) got permission from the other person as to whether or not you’re acting creepily. Modifies the creepy level, but doesn’t transform it into something reasonable. You waited “a year or two” to ask an unimportant question of a random person on the internet you know nothing about who you have no way to ascertain accuracy from about a person matter. That’s creepy territory. That you seem to think the politeness and willingness to answer your question as a complete absolving of your creepiness is weirder still. I’m not saying this to be a jerk, it’s honestly, truly wigging me out a little that you’d care about this. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/311 "2014-11-04T20:18:35Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > More like: > > _reads thread_ > “Yep, definitely some weird stalker vibes going on here” > > You’re just coming off as weird and obsessed and digging the hole deeper every time you revive it. :shrug: Whatever, it’s an interesting topic to me; with weight loss, long-term follow up is a critical issue. If you think that’s weird, then so be it. > [@Revenant Threshold](#): > > You waited “a year or two” to ask an unimportant question of a random person on the internet you know nothing about who you have no way to ascertain accuracy from about a person matter. :shrug: It’s an important question to me. But I’m sure you also disapprove of polls, i.e. asking unimportant questions of random persons on the internet you know nothing about who you have no way to ascertain accuracy from about a personal matter. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/312 "2014-11-04T20:23:58Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > :shrug: It’s an important question to me. Also quite creepy! > [@](#): > > But I’m sure you also disapprove of polls, i.e. asking unimportant questions of random persons on the internet you know nothing about who you have no way to ascertain accuracy from about a personal matter. Given that you’ve misquoted me in order to draw your conclusion - no. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/313 "2014-11-04T20:24:51Z")
If your intentions were as innocent as you claim, it wouldn’t really be creepy. But this was a call out thread in which you intended to embarass Stoid. It’s not even a smart one. As per [this post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15998769&postcount=14). If someone said “I figured it out - eating fewer calories than you expend is the key to weight loss”, and then you saw someone post a thread about eating some donuts, would you mock them, imply they obviously don’t know anything about exercise or nutrition because of their anecdotal success in weight loss, and hence their method is bunk, and then come back to post it again every few months? Yes, Stoid is an obnoxious zealot. That doesn’t mean you’re any less annoying or creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/314 "2014-11-04T20:59:20Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Yes, Stoid is an obnoxious zealot. That doesn’t mean you’re any less annoying or creepy. Quibble I’m not sure which is more annoying or more of an obnoxious zealot. Brazil84 is, however, far more creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/315 "2014-11-04T21:23:57Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > I see. That’s not quite the same thing as saying that insulin resistance or diabetes cause obesity. For example, it’s possible that a third factor (over-eating?) causes insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity. In fact, I recall that there have been studies which suggested that moderate sustained weight loss yields significant health benefits. This also suggests that fat per se is not the primary problem. > > Anyway, I do think you make a good point. It’s an indicator not proof. There could also be a correlation like the old belief that each was caused by sugary drinks. Person gets fat sucked out but still drinking 5 2L bottles of Coke a day so of course they still have insulin problems. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/316 "2014-11-05T05:13:33Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > It’s an indicator not proof. There could also be a correlation like the old belief that each was caused by sugary drinks. Person gets fat sucked out but still drinking 5 2L bottles of Coke a day so of course they still have insulin problems. Diabetes and insulin resistence, heart disease and obesity, along with a variety of other maladies, are all symptoms/results of something else (diet, although WHAT diet is the debate). Obesity does not cause any of those things. Once obesity has occurred, it does contribute to the insulin issues in a terrible feedback loop because fat is hormonally active. But as for what obesity “causes” in and of itself, it is mostly structural damage from carrying the weight. (Although it also helps prevent osteoporosis to some extent by making merely being alive and upright a built-in weight-bearing exercise.) ---
**Author:** ![Zuzu\_s\_Petals](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@Zuzu\_s\_Petals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zuzu_s_Petals)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/317 "2014-11-05T06:26:33Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Why? She volunteered information about her weight loss and weight loss strategy; I politely asked if I could follow up with her; she agreed; and I did so. _shrugs_ I was kind of taken aback by both your initial request and the follow-up. But whatevs. If it makes you happy to know what a random stranger on the internet claims her BMI to be, I don’t particularly mind telling you. I’m just astounded that you cared enough to actually follow up, a year and a half later. That’s the part that people are struggling with, I think. Of course, I could totally be lying. How would you know? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/318 "2014-11-05T08:44:53Z")
> [@Revenant\_Threshold](#): > > Also quite creepy! Yes, it’s extremely creepy to be curious about peoples’ weight loss efforts. > [@](#): > > Given that you’ve misquoted me in order to draw your conclusion - no. Please show me where I misquoted you. What are the exact words which I claimed that you posted which you didn’t actually post? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/319 "2014-11-05T08:47:01Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > If your intentions were as innocent as you claim, it wouldn’t really be creepy. But this was a call out thread in which you intended to embarass Stoid. So “call out threads” can never meander into other discussions? Got it. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100/320 "2014-11-05T08:51:02Z")
> [@Zuzu\_s\_Petals](#): > > _shrugs_ I was kind of taken aback by both your initial request and the follow-up. But whatevs. If it makes you happy to know what a random stranger on the internet claims her BMI to be, I don’t particularly mind telling you. I’m just astounded that you cared enough to actually follow up, a year and a half later. Well the thing about diet discussions is that what happens long term is absolutely critical. > [@](#): > > That’s the part that people are struggling with, I think. That’s the part they are seizing on, anyway. > [@](#): > > Of course, I could totally be lying. How would you know? 😉 I wouldn’t, and that’s a problem with a lot of research, both formal and informal. Of course this isn’t the only discussion I’ve had with others about this topic. Thank you again for sharing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoid-are-you-still-confident-that-you-know-a-lot-about-diet-and-obesity/650100.md?page=17)