Lessons from Atlanta

It had been two years since I had attended a live medical conference. When I found out the OMA conference was to be held in Atlanta, I was thrilled. I’d get to connect and network with other specialists in Obesity Medicine in person, something that energizes me and keeps me going. And I would be able to spend time with my son, Jacob, who lives and works in Atlanta. Getting to see him in his space would be a real treat.  

The conference proved extremely beneficial, providing up to date information from articulate speakers expounding on the latest research regarding obesity, plenty of review and reinforcement of what we at Oregon Weight and Wellness are already doing, encouragement that this is truly difficult work, that weight recurrence happens, that there is underlying physiology, that the work is necessary and worth it so stay the course, OWW.

I am always curious about what kind of food will be served at medical conferences. As customary, breakfast and lunch were served buffet style on platters with fancy cards written in cursive, eloquently describing their contents. Quinoa salad with radicchio, pine nuts, capers, and olives. Gluten-free, vegan lentils with farrow and lemon. All of the food was minimally processed, whole, real, heavy on the fresh vegetables and fruit and delicious. It was difficult to stay on my intermittent fasting regimen. Kudos to the caterers.

The beverages, however, left me incredulous. Of course, they had water, and coffee, and tea. But what do you suppose held the spotlight?

Coca cola.

Cans upon endless cans of ice-cold sparkling coke, diet coke, and sprite stood stacked on tables that flanked the four corners of the grand room. I wondered if this was a test. To see if even obesity medicine doctors who have the most understanding of the physiology of sugar addiction and pathway to insulin resistance and weight gain would fall prey to the seductively sweet taste of soda.

Then I figured out that Atlanta is Coca Cola capitol of the world. Anyway, that’s where Coke’s headquarters are. Two blocks from the hotel that hosted the conference was the Coke Museum where, at the end of the tour, you get to sample upwards of 34 different kinds of soda from all over the world.

No wonder.

So the answer is, Yes. Doctors drink soda. I found myself more than disappointed, I was disgusted, shaking my head, and wondering why, thinking that if I could rule the world for a day, I would wipe soda off the face of the earth.

Atlanta was in full bloom and gorgeous. The weather was perfect for walking outside. In addition to exploring fun restaurants and quaint neighborhoods which Jacob has discovered during his tenure in Atlanta, I had the pleasure of meeting several of his friends. I must say I was quite impressed. Every one of them, including Jacob, of course, was intelligent, accomplished and at the same time authentic and genuinely kind. Honestly, it gave me hope for our future.

Jacob’s buddy, Kieffer, said something I thought was quite profound. We were strolling through a redeveloped neighborhood when I made a comment about some carelessly discarded trash I  had to step over.

“People being people,” he said. I looked at him inquisitively. “People be people,” Jacob echoed.  Perhaps it was the way they said it that gave me pause. No condemnation. No criticism. No comparison.  Their tone left no questions. While they were not in the habit of throwing trash on the sidewalk, they did not consider themselves better or worse than the person who did.

People be people. It’s why doctors drink soda. It’s why I drank soda, up to 72 oz of diet coke a day, for several years, until I was ready to change. And, like a reformed smoker, I found myself quick to judge others who I think should know better. And leave it to a young person to expose my judgment and bias, even if unknowingly.

We talked about bias during the conference, more specifically bias against people who carry extra weight, even more specifically the bias against obesity that occurs in the medical field. Doctors got honest and vulnerable and stayed in a very challenging conversation. I wanted to believe that I am not biased in a way that hurts people. But I flunked this litmus test: When you are seated on a plane and the person walking down the aisle is carrying extra weight, what is your first thought?

Do I show the same compassion for people outside of my office as inside? Am I the same person? God knows I want to be. Jesus, help me to be.

Thank you, Jacob, for showing me a lovely time in Atlanta, and showing me a better way to people.