When my friend referred to ice cream as Mormon Alcohol, he was referring to the weight of some of us Mormons, but in a more general sense he was referring to use of food among some members to the point of being an excess or vice. The Word of Wisdom and other teachings preclude members from many of the typical vices of the word. So, we are left with food.
Psychological stress and tension are a fact of life. Many people use various substances (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, drugs) and/or behaviors (e.g., womanizing, aggression, stealing in it's various forms) to deal with their stresses. Us Mormons are left with food. Since no place in the Word of Wisdom are we enjoined (even tacitly) to avoid obesity, we are free (? are we really ?) to use food as we please.
Before we go on, we must define obesity. We must also determine what constitued obesity, which is different from being overweight. Here is a simple online calculator to determine your Body Mass Index (BMI) to help you determine if you are overweight or obese. Now we can go on...
So now we go on to the real issue of the psychological impact of excess weight, which may include:
1. Shame
2. Low Self-Esteem
3. Guilt
4. Depression
5. Lower Life Expectancy
6. Increased Sedintary Lifestyle with Decrease in General Body Health
7. Social Withdrawal
[Aside from these psychological dangers, the physical dangers are immense. Excessive weight is rapidly overtaking smoking as the number one killer in the USA.]
About 65% of Americans are seriously overweight, and almost 5% are seriously obese. Causes include genetic, environmental, psychological, cultural/social, and metabolic factors all of which play a part.
But back to us Mormons. Are 65% of us overweight? Probably. Are 5% of us seriously obese? I do not know, but I do know that living the Word of Wisdom more correctly will help all reduce our own danger of being overweight or obese.
Remember the part in the Word of Wisdom where is says that if we follow it we "...shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint" (D&C89:20) Have you ever pondered what that could mean to you personally?!!!