Discussion Board

Wow, this is insanity ...all they have to do is go McDougall...health problems solved!

"Washington University in St. Louis has the gastronomic deal of the century for fast-food freaks: They can eat to their artery-hardened heart's content all the pizza, tacos and bacon-swathed burgers they can handle every day for three months -- and walk away (assuming they still can) with $3,500. There's a catch, though: They have to be at least 30 pounds overweight to begin with and must gain 5 percent of their body weight during the obesity study, which is being done in hopes of figuring out why some overweight people get diabetes and develop cardiovascular problems while others do not. Along with the monetary benefit, once participants gain the required weight, they'll be entered into a weight-loss program to lose it."

http://now.msn.com/money/0510-fast-food ... study.aspx

Not for $35,000 dollars.
Kate

Ditto.

Not only am I unwilling to get fat again, but who knows how much damage to my body could be done in three months?

Karen

I could really use the money but I won't eat meat.

maybe for $350,000, but probably not.

The sad thing about this, they probably won't have any problem finding enough volunteers.

Wasn't Fast Food Nation enough?

They must have a heck of a disclaimer in the contract. Suppose someone suffers a heart attack or some other medical problem while this fast food feast is going on, couldn't the researchers be liable?

Come to think of it, I have heard of there being deaths during drug trials - then they stop the study. No lawsuit (or nothing in public court, at least).

I imagine they (volunteers/participants/guinea pigs) have to sign some kind of waiver, but I'm not sure that always eliminates potential lawsuits if something happens and negligence or malpractice could be proven.

I don't know any of the specific details, but my aunt was in some kind of drug study. It destroyed her health, and she ultimately sued and won.

It doesn't sound like there are drugs involved in this research project (unless you want to include all the crap and chemicals that's in fast food drugs. ) It's been shown that losing 5% of body weight can produce health benefits and reduce risk factors even if you're still overweight or obese. They'll be looking to see what's different between those whose other risk factors increase with the 5% weight gain and those who see no significant change in those risk factors. This is the list of restaurants where the participants can eat:
- McDonald’s
- Taco Bell
- KFC
- Burger King
- Pizza Hut

If you were in this study and were trying to gain 10 pounds in three months which would you choose and what would you eat? If you wanted to gain the weight, but didn't want your other risk factors (cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, etc.) to increase, what foods would you eat from these restaurants in order to try to avoid that? Just food for thought.