Why do people pick on and complain about fat/obese people so much?

[Anonymous]

It’s one of the few things it’s socially acceptable to hate people for.

Fatness and stupidity are both ok to make fun of. Before I think it was gender, age, race, or religion but thankfully as a society we’ve moved away from those things in a big way.

It breaks my heart as a fat mom with a DS who has an intellectual disability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who is hating on fat people all the time? I never see this irl. The only thing I guess I'd see (which I've never seen irl but I know happens) is the airplane seat situation, where the overweight person refuses to buy 2 seats. Yeah then I'd be irked.

But you're right; why can't we focus on how everything smells like weed now? I absolutely loathe this.

Op here. There is a huge amount of hate. Nike and Target got over 80,000 complaints respectively when they introduced plus sized mannequins several years ago. Look all the hate Lizzo gets, just for being her. There are literally hundreds of Reddit threads complaining about fat people. Of course we know that being overweight causes additional health issues that may affect healthcare costs. But that’s not why people HATE and say HATEFUL THINGS about fat people. That’s not the reason fat children get bullied in school.

When I traveled, after takeoff, I would stand in the back of plane for the entire flight until descent because I was afraid I might get drama from the seat mate. I generally started to fly first class ( and I’m not bragging about that). When I modeled and had to travel, it was in my contract.

Maybe I’m faltering because somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought being thinner would be different, but then just find something else to hate on you about.

Does Lizzo get hate for being fat? Or because she’s a toxic human? I always thought it was the latter. Maybe I’m wrong.

Also, I think you pointed out something important in the bolded. Some people just suck and are going to be a-holes to you no matter what you look like. You can’t let people like that change how you live your life, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people have more opinions now after extensive Covid shutdowns that were seen as mostly being for the benefit of obese people.

And I don’t know why you insist that the costs to other people aren’t a valid reason. Everyone can remember a time that they were squashed in a seat because the person next to them didn’t fit in their seat, and how uncomfortable it was. And it’s a fact that many heath conditions are related to obesity and that this affects us all.

I’m sorry that you’re upset but being obese is not a private thing that only affects you. It affects us all. It doesn’t mean that people should be openly hostile about it but they have reasons for their beliefs.

Sure but sitting next to a smoker stinks. And affects health care.
I don't want to pay for people's viagra, but my insurance premiums do. As does Medicare.
Maybe your life choices are why you got cancer. Why should society have to pay for your treatment?
Maybe the car accident was your fault, why should the rest of us pay for your SS disability?

And on and on....

I’m the PP and I agree with you. I personally hate smokers. I think more people dislike smokers than obese people.

And yes, I should not have to pay for viagra for other people. I didn’t know that I was, but it’s annoying if I am!

"generic erectile dysfunction drugs may be covered by your Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D Prescription Drug Plan" https://www.medicareplans.com/does-medicare-cover-my-viagra/

[Anonymous]

I don't know, it's horrible. My mom has been obese most of her life and I hate that people judge her for it, when she is one of the best people out there, the kindest, most wonderful woman. All people see is weight. Meanwhile rotten thin asses get celebrated. I think Ozempic is a game changer and that is why some thin folks are upset about it: obesity isn't just about discipline and willpower, so no need to feel superior over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s seen as laziness and lack of self control.

Not saying I agree with this but a few reasons why

So ignorance.

There's no question that it is hard, in America, to avoid gaining weight over time when pretty much every food you buy in a store or restaurant is processed or full of sugar. The changes in how food is marketed and served and the changes in average American weight can be clearly seen over time, and it's not just "self control." But it's also hard, when you see people making clearly bad decisions about what they eat and what they feed their children, to not feel annoyed/smug. It's one thing to eat a "normal" diet and gain 2-3 pounds a year and then realize you've gone from weighing 125 at age 20 to being 180-200 pounds at age 50. It's another thing to send your already-overweight kids to school with a lunchbox full of soda and candy bars because it's "what they want."

Thanks for proving my point.

[Anonymous]

Because they are unable to handle complex thought, so prefer to lash out at what they perceive to be a moral failing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who is hating on fat people all the time? I never see this irl. The only thing I guess I'd see (which I've never seen irl but I know happens) is the airplane seat situation, where the overweight person refuses to buy 2 seats. Yeah then I'd be irked.

But you're right; why can't we focus on how everything smells like weed now? I absolutely loathe this.

Op here. There is a huge amount of hate. Nike and Target got over 80,000 complaints respectively when they introduced plus sized mannequins several years ago. Look all the hate Lizzo gets, just for being her. There are literally hundreds of Reddit threads complaining about fat people. Of course we know that being overweight causes additional health issues that may affect healthcare costs. But that’s not why people HATE and say HATEFUL THINGS about fat people. That’s not the reason fat children get bullied in school.

When I traveled, after takeoff, I would stand in the back of plane for the entire flight until descent because I was afraid I might get drama from the seat mate. I generally started to fly first class ( and I’m not bragging about that). When I modeled and had to travel, it was in my contract.

Maybe I’m faltering because somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought being thinner would be different, but then just find something else to hate on you about.

No, lizzo gets hate because she is not a nice person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s seen as laziness and lack of self control.

Not saying I agree with this but a few reasons why

So ignorance.

I want to pick up on this post because I grew up with a very obese parent. Given the level of obesity in this country, probably many of us did. Up close and personal it can be tough and a lot of impressions are formed at a young age. Most obese people are not eating a limited diet. My mother ate tremendous quantities of food. I saw it. I was there. It would make her feel sick at times and she couldn't stop. So it looks like a lack of control. It's probably a mental health issue at its root. As a child, she couldn't do things other parents could do on a regular basis. She was not active and walking up stairs caused labored breathing. I was aware of this. My family didn't do a lot because of her limitations. One could spin this into laziness. Again, more complicated if you get into the root of what's going on.

I get annoyed when people try to discount these experiences though. We all grow up in a certain way and impressions and feelings we had as a child can shape how we view the world. As an adult I have a lot of empathy for my mom.

Some of you should read Roxane Gay's book Hunger. It will give you a lot to think about.

[Anonymous]

For some people I think it’s a visceral reaction of disgust or lashing out from fear of themselves becoming fat.

Some people are just mean and see it as an insecurity they can exploit. Fat people who dare to dress fashionably, take up space, demand respect, and seem comfortable in the their skin really make these bullies mad!

For some I think it is a form jealously. Especially women who work hard to maintain a certain size and appearance. It’s hard for them to watch someone eat what they want,’be comfortable with their size, and still have good things happen to them - like a hot husband or a successful career.

I rarely experience outright hostility or rudeness because I’m on the small side of fat in that I still wear straight sizes 12/14. My experience is more that I’m invisible or easily forgotten / left out. I used to think it was because I can be shy and awkward, but the times I’ve lost 25-40 pounds it’s shocking to me how my social life brims with invites and how people go out of their way to help you or do favors for you. I used to think I was imagining it or that people were picking up on a vibe that I feel more outgoing or confident at a smaller size. But I don’t think that’s it. I have stylish clothes that fit my larger body ans I feel good about my appearance most days. I genuinely think that consciously or not that people, especially women, are nicer when I am smaller.

[Anonymous]

The difference in treatment I've experienced from being at the high end of "normal" weight: size 12 and the low/middle range: size 6 is astounding. I receive more attention, assistance, compliments, invitations, etc etc. I do not have opinions or hate for anyone based on their weight. I can see, though, that there is unearned adoration for thin people. Our society is sick.

[Anonymous]

Adding on to my comments at 10:51

I think fatness is similar to poverty. It’s controversial to some people to say “being in poverty is not a moral failing” just as it’s controversial to some people to say “a person’s value is not determined by the shape or size of their body”.

If you have never lived in or adjacent to systemic, generational poverty, it’s hard to understand how many forces exist to keep people in poverty or prevent their escape.

If you were born into and live most of your life in a small or average size body that responds well to eating less and moving more, you have no idea what it is like to live in a larger body and all the physical and environmental factors that work against shrinking it. I’m not talking about someone who gains 25-50 pounds from drinking beer or eating junk, I’m talking about people who have been larger than average since childhood or developed conditions like lipedema in adulthood. People who are fat due to laziness are not 300lbs + unless they are very tall and large framed. People who are 100lbs or more overweight have other things going on genetically or medically that are beyond their control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The difference in treatment I've experienced from being at the high end of "normal" weight: size 12 and the low/middle range: size 6 is astounding. I receive more attention, assistance, compliments, invitations, etc etc. I do not have opinions or hate for anyone based on their weight. I can see, though, that there is unearned adoration for thin people. Our society is sick.

Me too, the differences in how I have been treated are astounding.

One thing OP mentioned was wondering if her life would have been better if she had always been thin. I 100% think that would be the case for me. I do have a good life but being overweight, but not necessarily obese, ruined my self esteem as a kid and led me to make some very bad choices.

[Anonymous]

It's a very American thing. As a foreigner, I hear so many excuses for overeating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a very American thing. As a foreigner, I hear so many excuses for overeating.

Attitudes about heavy people are even worse in other countries, yes. It's not a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The difference in treatment I've experienced from being at the high end of "normal" weight: size 12 and the low/middle range: size 6 is astounding. I receive more attention, assistance, compliments, invitations, etc etc. I do not have opinions or hate for anyone based on their weight. I can see, though, that there is unearned adoration for thin people. Our society is sick.

Yeah as someone who has always been overweight, it has almost never resulted in outright rudeness to me (on very rare occasions - basically if someone is going to be horrible to me, it is what they will weaponize)

But mostly I just get ignored/not included in things.