S/O fat bashing

[Anonymous]

2/3 of the people in the US are either overweight or obese. It's an epidemic.
So many health issues that could be avoided if they would just lose the weight.
And, yes, I have been overweight. It was really hard to lose the pounds, but I did it - now, I am no longer on BP meds or cholesterol meds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2/3 of the people in the US are either overweight or obese. It's an epidemic.
So many health issues that could be avoided if they would just lose the weight.
And, yes, I have been overweight. It was really hard to lose the pounds, but I did it - now, I am no longer on BP meds or cholesterol meds.

OP here. I agree, but there is a lot that needs to be addressed beyond shaming fat people in order to turn that ship around.

I've been overweight and lost it myself. However, I still don't get the vitriol. No one runs around calling people a "smoker" or treat people who don't do monthly breast exams poorly.

[Anonymous]

I resent the fact that most developed countries have populations that are getting fatter. It's a national health crisis that takes away valuable resources from other problems, when in theory, nearly anyone can control their weight by tweaking their nutrition and exercising. I see it as a product of ignorance and a failure of willpower in most cases. Whereas cancers and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzeihmer's, are terrible and costly diseases that are much harder to prevent. No blaming the patient there. Wish more funds were available for research and cures, but no, we have to treat a growing number of overweight and obese people, who should just find the motivation to slim down and be healthier. Duh.

I have never been guilty of fat-discrimination on a particular person, however. That would just be rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2/3 of the people in the US are either overweight or obese. It's an epidemic.
So many health issues that could be avoided if they would just lose the weight.
And, yes, I have been overweight. It was really hard to lose the pounds, but I did it - now, I am no longer on BP meds or cholesterol meds.

OP here. I agree, but there is a lot that needs to be addressed beyond shaming fat people in order to turn that ship around.

I've been overweight and lost it myself. However, I still don't get the vitriol. No one runs around calling people a "smoker" or treat people who don't do monthly breast exams poorly.

It's simple OP, those people can hide it a lot better. I can't hide my extra pounds so everyone feel entitled to comment on it.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and smokers are far worse, because they poison others as well as themselves.

Thank you, taking my vitriolic self elsewhere, now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I resent the fact that most developed countries have populations that are getting fatter. It's a national health crisis that takes away valuable resources from other problems, when in theory, nearly anyone can control their weight by tweaking their nutrition and exercising. I see it as a product of ignorance and a failure of willpower in most cases. Whereas cancers and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzeihmer's, are terrible and costly diseases that are much harder to prevent. No blaming the patient there. Wish more funds were available for research and cures, but no, we have to treat a growing number of overweight and obese people, who should just find the motivation to slim down and be healthier. Duh.

I have never been guilty of fat-discrimination on a particular person, however. That would just be rude.

I think this is where I disagree. The reason you are seeing this huge epidemic should tell you that this isn't just about a few outliers who are incapable of self control. This is a massive issue where the combination of our sedentary lives and cheap, sugary and fatty calories are literally at war with our own biology. We're build to desire fat and sugar. Just because we know limiting calories will help a person drop weight doesn't mean the problem is solved. The answer is in finding a consistent, reliable way to actually make that happen. If 90% of people who lose weight regain it, then it isn't a solution.

[Anonymous]

I don't fat-bash on here and I don't fat-bash in real life. But I would never want to be overweight by more than a few pounds - I would dislike how I looked and felt, and it would affect my running adversely. I do try to be tactful, but if someone asks my advice, I'm happy to talk about fitness or nutrition. Some people look really good with curves, though. Some women can really pull off an extra 10 lbs - some can't. (I can pull off 10, but not 20, because I still don't get boobs and become a giant pear.)

I do get cranky when people complain about being fat or overweight and never do anything about it. I understand that it's not the same for everyone, but if I, a 41-year-old single mom with a ft job can find time to work out, so can my single, child-free friends. I don't think anyone needs to be rail-thin or even average, but I think everyone should exercise and try to put good stuff in their body. And I will eat McDonald's or sweets or drink wine, but it's in moderation along with the veggies and lean meats and whole grains. I think more people could put in the effort without becoming obsessed.

[Anonymous]

I just assume that someone who fat-bashes, or fat-shames has eating of self-image issues themselves. Thats certainly been the case with the people I've met like that. Why else would they care?

[Anonymous]

And I think its particularly unsisterly to bash mothers who are overweight because (1) who knows how their bodies responded to pregnancies, and (2) it can be really hard when you have young children to control your weight. And while some of you were able to do so, you just don't know enough about somebody else's family situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And I think its particularly unsisterly to bash mothers who are overweight because (1) who knows how their bodies responded to pregnancies, and (2) it can be really hard when you have young children to control your weight. And while some of you were able to do so, you just don't know enough about somebody else's family situation.

Totally agree with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just assume that someone who fat-bashes, or fat-shames has eating of self-image issues themselves. Thats certainly been the case with the people I've met like that. Why else would they care?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2/3 of the people in the US are either overweight or obese. It's an epidemic.
So many health issues that could be avoided if they would just lose the weight.
And, yes, I have been overweight. It was really hard to lose the pounds, but I did it - now, I am no longer on BP meds or cholesterol meds.

OP here. I agree, but there is a lot that needs to be addressed beyond shaming fat people in order to turn that ship around.

I've been overweight and lost it myself. However, I still don't get the vitriol. No one runs around calling people a "smoker" or treat people who don't do monthly breast exams poorly.

Actually, you're wrong. I think there has been a lot of shaming and bashing of smokers in the last decade. In fact, it's actually legal for employers to NOT hire a person based solely on smoking (in most states), and so many places do urine or blood tests. I have yet to see a person not get hired because of weight.

Interestingly enough, between the shaming and the increased taxes, smoking rates decreased. I'm not saying it's the right way or ethical/compassionate way, but you have to admit it's been effective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I resent the fact that most developed countries have populations that are getting fatter. It's a national health crisis that takes away valuable resources from other problems, when in theory, nearly anyone can control their weight by tweaking their nutrition and exercising. I see it as a product of ignorance and a failure of willpower in most cases. Whereas cancers and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzeihmer's, are terrible and costly diseases that are much harder to prevent. No blaming the patient there. Wish more funds were available for research and cures, but no, we have to treat a growing number of overweight and obese people, who should just find the motivation to slim down and be healthier. Duh.

I have never been guilty of fat-discrimination on a particular person, however. That would just be rude.

See, I figure that if entire populations are getting fatter, the problem is not just individual willpower, it's something systemic--availability of affordable healthy food, or city design that makes it harder for people to walk/bike, or processed food, etc. Yes, part of maintaining a healthy weight is exercise and diet, but if 2/3 of the population are overweight, there's something else going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I resent the fact that most developed countries have populations that are getting fatter. It's a national health crisis that takes away valuable resources from other problems, when in theory, nearly anyone can control their weight by tweaking their nutrition and exercising. I see it as a product of ignorance and a failure of willpower in most cases. Whereas cancers and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzeihmer's, are terrible and costly diseases that are much harder to prevent. No blaming the patient there. Wish more funds were available for research and cures, but no, we have to treat a growing number of overweight and obese people, who should just find the motivation to slim down and be healthier. Duh.

I have never been guilty of fat-discrimination on a particular person, however. That would just be rude.

See, I figure that if entire populations are getting fatter, the problem is not just individual willpower, it's something systemic--availability of affordable healthy food, or city design that makes it harder for people to walk/bike, or processed food, etc. Yes, part of maintaining a healthy weight is exercise and diet, but if 2/3 of the population are overweight, there's something else going on.

EXACTLY! (14:40/OP here.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just assume that someone who fat-bashes, or fat-shames has eating of self-image issues themselves. Thats certainly been the case with the people I've met like that. Why else would they care?

I bash smokers too.

People who engage in lifestyle choices that hurt society I bash.