Fat Cat. Fat Moma. An Analysis of the Origins of Fat in Four Parts (Part 4)

Fat Cat. Fat Moma.

An Analysis of the Origins of Fat in Four Parts

This post continues my discussion of the following questions from previous posts in this series.  I introduced the prompt of investigating my impact on my cat Cassie’s weight through discussing three different questions:

• Is Being Large the result of personal choices regarding food and exercise and/or lack of will power?
• Is Being Large influenced by our Environment and Socialization?
• Is Being Large Hereditary and therefore a simple genetic characteristic?

Read On for Lessons Learned…

Part 4: Is Being Fat A Question of Heredity and Genetics?

In my last post, I stewed on the complexity of socialization and the role of environment in body size. I compared my childhood influences to those of my cat, Cassie, making the point that there seems to be no clear relationship between weight and family culture which couldn’t be negated by comparing fat and thin children in the same family. So let’s move one to the next regularly debated topic of weight—the influence of heredity.

It’s a girl, 6.5 lbs and an Endomorph!

So… I bet you have been waiting to see how I was going to make the argument for heredity between a cat and me. I can’t quite do that as I did not give birth to Cassie, but I can discuss this issue symbolically and analyze the human connection weight and heredity.

Have you ever heard of the theory of personality based upon body type as theorized by psychologist and physician, William Sheldon? His theory is that there are three basic body types and that one’s body type determines their personality and behavior. According to that theory, you are born with that specific body type and it can’t be changed. The three types are the Endomorph (gains fat very easily and tends to carry fat), the Mesomorph (gains and drops fat very easily and tends toward muscle) and the Ectomorph (finds it difficult to gain fat and tends to be thin). I know Sheldon didn’t apply his study to cats, but bear with me for a moment; I think there is an interesting point to be made about “being born this way” to use a Lady Gaga lyric.

When I think about my cats, each has their own distinct personality. Plump Cassie has a relaxed nature, calm, secure and warm—typical Endomorph qualities—just like me.  Muscular Chester is very outgoing, and adventurous, but cat cautious— all characteristics of the Mesomorph. Thin and Sleek Connie is distant, active and quiet, similar to the Ectomorph.

According to this theory the Endomorph (me and Cassie) have a tendency to eat and store fat more readily than the other body types. We also tend to be more “easy going” and content in our nature.
Yep, that’s me and my girl!

Ectomorphs (that’s Connie, my black cat)are more controlled, timid and distant in new situations—they are more thin and svelte in body type.

 

The Mesomorph tends to have more muscle. That is my Chester. He is firm and strong in stature. Although he does tend to put on winter weight when he has less exposure to the outdoors, he quickly looses this weight once spring arrives.

Following this theory each of my cats is exactly who they were meant to be. Each has its own positive traits and negative. No one body type is better or worse than the others. They are just different.

Like Mama. Like Daughter.

Another perspective I have about the impact on heredity and weight is through the simple observation of parents and their children. I have noticed that children seem to inherit the height, hair color and skin color of at least one of their biological parents. Obvious right? Then, why is it so difficult for people to accept that one’s body size is also under the control of the same genetic code. Weight is not necessarily the result of laziness and overeating (if one’s body is large sized) nor is it the result of an active lifestyle and strong willpower (if you are small in body size); it’s just the implication of being born to your particular set of parents. In terms of parents who may be opposite in body size you can see the same results. Some of the children in the family will resemble the body type of the mother, and the other children will resemble the body type of the father.

This genetic influence is very evident in my own family. Both me and my sister follow my mother’s body type, full-figured, but smaller in the waist, with large thighs. My brother is small in structure, similar to my father—same height, body size and body composition. We were all raised in the same household with the same high calorie dinners, lack of regular family exercise and perspectives on weight—but my brother (no matter how many cookies, candies and cakes he ate, and he ate a lot!) is still thin, and my sister and I are still larger. I don’t think there is much more to it than that.

art by Svetlana Petrova

So what if that’s the answer–we each have our own body type and have a predisposition to be the way we are. What if our body types are no more influenced by our personal choice or environment than having red hair or being tall or short. What if it’s all a part of the grand plan for diversity? In fact, contrary to the diet industry’s scare tactic agenda, there is research that indicates that an extra layer of fat is actually a positive reaction to a hostile environment and a primitive survival body mechanism. I’m not saying that health is not important—what I’m saying is that it is often more about food choices than about fat or thin bodies which indicate health.

Questions, Questions, and More Questions…

I’m sure that many people have known thin people who are naturally thin, but don’t exercise, and who eat a variety of things that may be considered unhealthy by popular standards (ectomorph characteristics). Although those thin folks are encouraged to eat more healthy foods there is no stigma attached to their bodies that labels them as outsiders, there is very little discussion about their lack of self-control, or threats of impending death, as long as they don’t look fat! Looking fat has become synonymous for being unhealthy and having a “death wish”.

However, there are many examples in our society in which fat people are showing evidence of health even in comparison to thin folks. There are athletes who are large but are still able to run, jump and catch like other athletes. There are fat dancers who are graceful and elegant in their movements. According to the common diet/exercise language everyone needs to move more in order to avoid a fat disposition—so what about these people? They are obviously moving and working their body (do you know what kind of stamina it takes to dance?) but they are still large sized. Why?

I know the popular response is they must be gorging themselves during their off time in order to still be fat and moving that much (which I argue is not the case). But what about thin people who gorge themselves, don’t exercise, and yet are still thin? I have a friend who for a period of time had a McDonald’s apple pie twice a day for several months. She still weighed 125 lbs and did very little exercise. I, however exercise at least 3-5 days a week for between 30 minutes to an 1 hour, but my body is still large.

Let’s Just Start with Self-Love

art by Svetlana Petrova

I have learned to accept that my body is just going to be this size or somewhere near it. But others have not. In the past, in order to meet other’s expectations for my body, I would try countless diets to conquer this constant battle with my body. Usually, after some initial weight loss, my body would always return to nearly the same weight and stop (typical endomorph body behavior). In fact, even when I was in high school and I lost a significant amount of weight, I was still considered to be overweight based upon the BMI (body mass index). But, to me, my body looked odd. Although I got more positive attention from others, I didn’t feel natural. So, eventually the weight crept back on until it was satisfied.

So, I could put Cassie on a diet, hold her back from the food dish until everyone else has eaten their fill and then give her some new trendy diet cat food. But most likely that would only make her more ravenous for flavor, more targeted and isolated—wait— am I talking about my cat or myself?

Did Cassie inherit her affection for food and relaxed living from me? I don’t know, but we do seem to share similar behaviors. We even lay on the couch in the same positions and spots. I do think there is something to be said for self-acceptance though.
We are who we are and no amount of self-hatred, denial, wishing or cutting fat/calories will impact who we are and how we feel about ourselves inside. Until we focus on what is really bothering us about ourselves, no amount of fat loss will satisfy it. Even when people have lost the weight, they find the feeling of unhappiness returns once they learn that losing weight doesn’t solve the problems they had before the weight loss. Solving internal problems is what solves your external problems. Once that is fully realized then you can do whatever you want to do with your body.

In Closing…

I started with fear about taking my Cassie cat to the vet and ended up learning a lot about myself.

So… what am I going to do about this visit to the vet? Well, similar to what I’m going to have to do about my own upcoming doctor visit—I’m going to suck it up and go to the doctor and I’m going to take my Cassie to the vet. Because, in the pursuit of a healthy long life it is important that I keep on top of my personal health– even if I have to deal with people who have their own issues, that they sometimes visit t on me. It’s important to get my checkups and make the necessary choices in my lifestyle and environment to support, and sometimes counteract my hereditary tendencies.

In the case of Cassie, I refuse to deny my fluffy cat the care she deserves to live her best life—in spite of the comments from the vet. My first responsibility is to her, not my own fears based upon a lifetime of negative interactions.

So, I’ve got to go because I have an appointment with a Veterinarian. I have to get the cat crate ready and get to stuffing, because there’s a lot of cat that needs to get in there—one big, fluffy, beautiful, girl—and that goes for her mama too!

Are you trying to make sense of your body?

Your Life? Your Relationships?

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