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The Case for “Dad-Bod” (by someone who over-shot it)
*Written 1/2/2017

                There is some controversy surrounding the term “Dad-bod” and I think it is well-founded.  Many people hear that term and they envision this guy who has given up on themselves.  They imagine a dude right around 40 with a beer belly, sitting in his recliner.  My vision of dad bod is different.  I see a dude that no longer has 6-pack abs, is ten to twenty pounds overweight and doesn’t have time to maintain what society tells us the ideal male physique should look like. 
                On that subject, more than 10 million males will deal with an eating disorder in their lifetime, according to National Eating Disorder Association.  Our societal ideals are hurting our youth.  Both males and females are trying to live up to a standard that is unattainable for 98% of us. 
                Instead of focusing on what we look like, we need to focus on our overall health.  I know that our physical appearance does give a good idea of someone’s overall health, but it doesn’t paint the whole picture.  Will Farrell is a great example of this.  Looking at him, you see that he doesn’t have a six pack, you can see adipose on his midsection and he has love handles, but has run marathons.  Someone who can run a marathon is in pretty decent physical shape.  
                A study done in 2013 by Flegal et al agrees with this.  The study showed that while a BMI that falls in the obesity range corresponded with higher mortality, being overweight showed less overall mortality than falling into the normal weight range.  If a person is physically active and has some vanity pounds, they are healthier overall than someone who is technically in the healthy weight range that doesn’t get the necessary exercise. 
                While we should all strive to be as healthy as we can be, both men and women need to recognize that 6-pack abs are not the only indicator of health.  I feel comfortable writing this, as I have decidedly over-shot the dad bod.  I am currently at a health level I am dissatisfied with.  I currently aspire to “dad bod”
               
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/research-males-and-eating-disorders
http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1555137
               


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Location: Elk River, MN 55330, USA

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