Nina In New York: Are You Sitting Down? Good, Stay There (But Ditch The Cookie).

A lighthearted look at news, events, culture and everyday life in New York. The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.
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By Nina Pajak

A team of doctors has published an impassioned op-ed in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, asserting that only diet—not exercise—can combat obesity and weight-related diseases. Specifically, a diet that is low in sugar and carbohydrates. Exercise is great and all, they say, but it can't help you drop pounds and it won't stave off type II diabetes if you're still carrying around a tub of Nutella in your purse.

Ahem. Tell that to my 22-year-old former self who used to subsist on fat free milkshakes, Tasti-D-Lite, bulk candy and gym sessions. She looked gooooooood.

According to the article, even people who aren't overweight are at high risk for disease if they load up on sugary, carb-heavy foods. The authors voice concern that the public is under-educated on the subject of nutrition and overly focused on exercise as being the panacea. And the "Big Food" industry isn't helping. In fact, the article compares them to Big Tobacco, and those are some serious fightin' words. The doctors call upon companies to act more responsibly in their marketing and advertising, and express a wish that celebrities and athletes would rethink endorsements for junky products like calorie-packed sports drinks and sodas. I've long suspected a deep Hollywood plot that conspires to keep stars hotter than the uggo public by using them to convince us to eat terrible crap they wouldn't consume without a phone call to their enema specialist. Which is to say, here here!

It's really no joke: these doctors say that poor diet has a more deleterious effect on long-term health than lack of exercise, alcohol, and tobacco combined. I'm no mathematician, but some quick calculations have me feeling pret-ty good about my chances, since I only do two out of those three things. As long as I eat right and don't pick up smoking, I'mma live forever.

Don't worry, it's not all bad news. Think of it this way: what we have here is a redemption for everyone's favorite hobby, sitting. Once thought to be the first thing that would bring civilization to a certain untimely and hideous demise, now it turns out it's just the second thing! Fetch the comfy chair!

Nina Pajak is a writer living with her husband, daughter and dog in Queens. Connect with Nina on Twitter!