What if most of what you've heard about body weight, health and longevity is not true? The presumed link between body fat and poor health is not nearly as straightforward as it may seem. People considered overweight or obese by government-endorsed height weight standards who exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet actually have better longevity prospects than thin people who are physically unfit. When it comes to health, it is fitness, not thinness, that matters most. Furthermore, a focus on weight loss as a cure for obesity and weight-related health problems has not only proved to be largely ineffective, it may actually exacerbate the problem and compromise the health of dieters. Lack of physical fitness and a sedentary lifestyle are far more detrimental to health than being overweight or moderately obese. Destination "good health" is accessible to all, but an accurate road map is necessary to get there. This presentation can get you started.

October 15, 2004
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Virginia Beach Central Library
4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach Library website

Reserve tickets online

About the Speaker

Glenn Gaesser, Ph.D., is a professor of exercise physiology and director of the kinesiology program at the University of Virginia. Dr. Gaesser is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and an editorial advisory board member of Health at Every Size.

He was graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Berkeley in 1972, where he stayed on to complete both his M.A. (1975) and Ph.D. (1978) with a specialization in exercise physiology. Dr. Gaesser has conducted research and published many articles on exercise, health and fitness in scientific journals, trade publications and newsletters.

He is also the author of three books: Big Fat Lies: The Truth About Your Weight and Your Health (Gurze, 2002), Eating Well, Living Well: When You Can't Diet Anymore, (with Karin Kratina, M.A., R.D.), (Wheat Foods Council, Parker, CO, 2000), and The Spark: The Revolutionary New Plan to Get Fit and Lose Weight 10 Minutes at a Time, (with Karla Dougherty), Fireside, New York, 2002.

Dr. Gaesser has presented frequently at local, regional, national and international meetings on the subject of body weight, fitness, nutrition, and health. He has appeared on Good Morning America, ABC’s 20/20, World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and Dateline NBC. In addition, he has been a guest on dozens of radio shows in North America and has been interviewed for stories on body weight, fitness and health for numerous newspapers and magazines throughout the world.

He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his wife, Patricia, and his two youngest children, Lindsay and Brandon.