Now that I know what Taube’s model is, roughly, I think that it is probably correct, for some small subset of people (but not vanishingly small). I think a softer version, the effectiveness of a low-carb diet, is true for a larger, significant, but still minority subset of the population. It doesn’t matter what I think though – my point is the qualifier: that a model can be true (or a diet can be effective) for a population subset.
This is why I agree with you that the majority of people will regain their weight—if they are trying a diet at random (like in the study) rather than systematically, and without a working model of how a diet is not a one size fits all type of thing.
It occurs to me that you consider the regaining of weight as evidence that his model doesn’t work, because he also said you could eat as much as you want and stay thin. But there may be some people for whom this is true, even within the study sample. It would be useful to see the individual data.
Now that I know what Taube’s model is, roughly, I think that it is probably correct, for some small subset of people (but not vanishingly small).
Assuming that’s true, it doesn’t contradict what I have said. In fact, now that you concede that the vast majority of people end up regaining regardless of the diet they are on, it seems you do not dispute any of my basic points.
I rather suspect that what’s been presented to you has been made out of straw.
Take that up with Jack.
Me:
But anyway, you seem to be saying that, according to Taubes, if you simply avoid eating refined carbohydrates, you can eat other foods ad libitum and avoid obesity. Is that pretty much it?
Now that I know what Taube’s model is, roughly, I think that it is probably correct, for some small subset of people (but not vanishingly small). I think a softer version, the effectiveness of a low-carb diet, is true for a larger, significant, but still minority subset of the population. It doesn’t matter what I think though – my point is the qualifier: that a model can be true (or a diet can be effective) for a population subset.
This is why I agree with you that the majority of people will regain their weight—if they are trying a diet at random (like in the study) rather than systematically, and without a working model of how a diet is not a one size fits all type of thing.
It occurs to me that you consider the regaining of weight as evidence that his model doesn’t work, because he also said you could eat as much as you want and stay thin. But there may be some people for whom this is true, even within the study sample. It would be useful to see the individual data.
Assuming that’s true, it doesn’t contradict what I have said. In fact, now that you concede that the vast majority of people end up regaining regardless of the diet they are on, it seems you do not dispute any of my basic points.
I rather suspect that what’s been presented to you has been made out of straw.
Take that up with Jack.
Me:
Jack:
Link:
http://lesswrong.com/lw/je4/critiquing_gary_taubes_part_2_atkins_redux/abjs?context=1#comments