Occam’s Razor Meets The Blob
- 1. Occam’s Razor Meets the BlobWhy the epidemic of obesity needs new explanations
- 2. Ockham’s Razorentia non suntmultiplicandapraeternecessitatem, is the principle that "entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity" and the conclusion, thereof, that the simplest explanation or strategy tends to be the best oneOckham’s Razor demands we askSome questions about obesity
- 3. QuestionsDid it begin at a particular time?Did it begin in a particular place?Did it start to affect people differently?What might explain the problem?WWWOOD (What would William of Ockham Do?)
- 4. TimeOverweight AmericansThis problem began at a particular time
- 5. The Trends*Though the average weight for men aged 20-39 years increased by nearly 20 pounds over the last four decades, the increase was greater among older men: Men between the ages of 40 and 49 were nearly 27 pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960. Men between the ages of 50 and 59 were nearly 28 pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960. Men between the ages of 60 and 74 were Source Centers for Disease Control: Mean Body Weight, Height, and Body Mass Index, United States1960–2002 by Cynthia L Ogden, Ph.D. et. al.
- 6. More TrendsMen between the ages of 60 and 74 were almost 33 pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960. For women, the near opposite trend occurred: Women aged 20-29 were nearly 29 pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960. Women aged 40-49 were about 25½ pounds heavier on average in 2002 compared to 1960. The average weight for a 10 year-old-boy in 1963 was 74.2 pounds; by 2002 the average weight was nearly 85 pounds. The average weight for a 10-year-old girl in 1963 was 77.4 pounds; by 2002 the average weight was nearly 88 pounds.
- 7. Even More TrendsThe average height of a 10-year-old girl in 1963 was about 55.5 inches; by 2002 the average height of a 10-year-old girl had increased to 56.4 inches. In 1966, the average height of a 15-year-old boy was 67.5 inches or almost 5'7½"; by 2002 the average height of a 15-year-old boy was 68.4 or almost 5'8½". In 1996, the average height of a 15-year-old girl was 63.9 inches; by 2002 the average height of a 15-year-old girl had not changed significantly (63.8 inches). Average BMI for children and teens has increased as well: In 1963, the average BMI for a 7-year-old boy was 15.9; in 2002 it was 17.0. For girls the same age, the average BMI increased from 15.8 to 16.6 over the same period. In 1966, the average BMI for a 16-year-old boy was 21.3; in 2002, it was 24.1. For girls the same age, the average BMI increased from 21.9 to 24.0 over the same period.
- 8. ConclusionsObesity started at a particular time in the USDid people become suddenly hungrier?Did people suddenly become more indolentIs there perhaps some underlying cause that has contributed to this occuring.