SubscribeOver-tolerant Attitude to Fatness?
Scotland's Sunday Herald has a lengthy diatribe deriding the nations "over-tolerant attitude to fatness".
This ever-expanding national girth is a reflection of our over-tolerant attitude to fatness. It is a much more comfortable social experience to be fat in the UK or the US than it is in Europe. Call it body fascism if you like, but in Europe excessive weight gain, much like excessive drinking, is socially disapproved of.
The author claims the UK is on the edge of a health disaster, with the obesity epidemic threatening to bankrupt the NHS (the UK's publicly funded health care system).
She acknowledges that a small group of people become overweight due to medical reasons - but for most people it is a behavioral problem.
A few people become fat for complex medical or psychological reasons outwith [outside of?] their control. But most people are fat just because they can't be bothered to take themselves in hand, and their lives are the poorer for it. They need to get a grip.
Some people may feel the piece is a distasteful rant. However the impact of future health costs is something that must be discussed. A recent Duke University study found that "...the heaviest employees had twice the rate of workers' compensation claims as their fit co-workers." (src).
More like this in Psychology · Sep 20, 2007
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As a plus size woman, I feel in the middle of the issue. On one hand, I agree, there needs to be more help and support for overweight people so they can become healthier (not skinny, but healthier).
On the other hand, being forced to wear "ugly" clothes or do without certain items due to my size does nothing to help me feel better about myself--and works against my efforts to lose weight and become healthier.
Case in point--I was well into my workouts and weight-loss efforts when my sister got engaged. I left many bridal shops in tears because I couldn't find anything that was flattering or that would fit. That wasn't motivation for me to starve myself to get into a dress (not healthy), it made me hate how I looked and miserable (not healthy).
There are times when my chronic illnesses make the gym take a backseat. Being able to look the best I can--whatever size that is--is good for me. Being able to find a shower seat for my size because I'm in too much pain to stand is good for me.
But I agree--low-rise/thongs in plus size--no way!
ReplyI wanted to add in. As a 16 year old, five foot nine and a half inch girl at 180 I think I could give you some first hand imput. First of all, shaming fat people is not an appropriate method. When analizying why I way about fourty pounds more than I should I discovered a few bad habits.
-Chain eating as a result of anger, sadness, boredom.
-Barley Chewing
- Hating myself.
I'm working on all of these. I've reduced my chain eating and in the process lost some weight. Also, part of the reason we weigh so much is the way we eat.
WOuld you want to chew McDonalds [[eww]] for more than three secounds. MMM just imagine the overused grease and too much salt in your mouth. Improve quality of food, or don;t eat out. Chew slowly, eat less, feel full, gain less calories. Food is easier to digest if you chew thoughrowly.
Last of all, thoes who are over weight should be shown their positive and helped with the negative if a positvie manner. Telling some one there a cow is just going to make them upset and eventualy eat more.
Also, that;s part of the reason for eating disorders. It makes you want to punish yourself when you eat to much by regurgitating. Not pretty but true.
ReplyTotally agree with this article and thank to Moi. Fatness make us lazy and uncomfortable in many aspects. To avoid this situation we should go for various fat burner supplements.
ReplyI'm "overweight" and I work out six days a week. How does being fat make me lazy?
Shouldn't that be the other way around? Being too lazy can make you fat?
ReplyAmerica is not over tolerant of anything, except racism, and violence. Fat kids and adult people are treated as stupid, taunted, laughed at, have trouble finding cloths, jobs, picked on, fat kids don't want to go to school, super fat adults have to pay extra to fly, give me a break. We should treat everyone with respect and stop acting like we care about the "fatties" health. I wonder how bad it would be if we were intolerant, would we stone them to death?
Replyi think you should be able to wear what you want as long as you feel comftorable init no matter what size people realise one thing you dont live forever regardless how big you are so quit pointing fingers start living life now instead of 150 ibs lighter from now god will be the judge of me not you
ReplyPeople are certainly not okay with being fat or others being fat.
Those who are fat tend to not feel good about themselves. Those who aren't fat sure do a good job of making sure the fat people NEVER feel good.
They're already fat, let's make them feel like dirt about it!
ReplyThe obesity situation in Western countries is something that really has to be addressed. I am in favor of providing more taxable benefits for those wanting to take more preventative health care measures.
Reply