The Last Acceptable Discrimination...being Fat.

[End of my rope]

[font=courier new][/font][color=darkred][/color]Being fat has become the last acceptable discrimination. Has anyone else noticed this? I used to be heavy and have recently lost a lot of weight and it's amazing how much diffrent I get treated now as opposed to then...

 

I heard on the radio just today that one out of three americans are obese. ONE OUT OF THREE! Those numbers are staggering! What's wrong with Americans that so many of us are that overweight?

[dyermaker]

I don't know if this was just your title, or whether it was your intention, but I totally agree with you about the discrimination thing.

 

We all look back (what blockhead calls monday morning quarterbacking--right?) on our days of racism, sexism, etc., as being appalling, but it's still okay to look down on gays and fat people. I think we have the illusion that fat people are weak-willed, and choose to live in fatness. I think the entire message of the Harry Potter books, with regards to his social interactions, is that making fun of nerdy kids is abhorrent, but making fun of fat kids is okay.

[End of my rope]

[font=courier new][/font][color=darkred][/color]My intention was to make a point about discrimination against fat people. I just kinda got a bit side tracked there at the end.

 

It's true though. Someone can be turned down for a job because they're fat, but not because they're hispanic, black, irish...any of those things. I think it should all be on an equal playing field. The number of people who are haveing weight loss surgeries are astounding. I know, or know of, 12 diffrent people who have had it. It's not like fat people enjoy being fat. It's not like they chose it. Yes, it can be prevented. But for those of us who have been in the past, or are currently overweight, we know how it happens. First it's ten lbs, then twenty, and you keep telling yourself that you won't get any bigger and the next thing you know you're no longer just fat, you're obese and the world treats you like you have something they can catch. I'm surprised they don't have special areas roped off for fat people at resturaunts, at movies, and on buses and the like....it's ridiculous...

[dyermaker]

I agree, it's awful.

[Sundaymorning]

Originally posted by End of my rope

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I heard on the radio just today that one out of three americans are obese. ONE OUT OF THREE! Those numbers are staggering! What's wrong with Americans that so many of us are that overweight?

 

 

that is one cause, right there. being rubbed in peoples faces that they are "unhealthy disgusting creatures"...gee that would really make me want to lose weight. knowing the only thing that would make me less disgusting as a HUMAN is to lose weight. its their business whether they are fat or not, leave them alone.

many issues help in obsity and most ppl wont listen to a major cause. EATING DISORDERS.

also, diets are EVERYWHERE. havent you noticed diets just make ppl fatter? thus, more diets out there=fatter people everywhere

[dyermaker]

Originally posted by Sundaymorning

havent you noticed diets just make ppl fatter? thus, more diets out there=fatter people everywhere

I wish I still had this great article substantiating what you just said.

 

Basically it's that sudden reduction of food intake (as opposed to changing the overall eating habits) triggers a starvation reflex in your brain, which causes the body to store more fat, in order to get through the period of starvation. People blame the fast-food industry, when it just as easily could be the dieting industry--or (*gasp!*) people themselves, deciding to make correct choices for them personally.

[befuddled11]

Originally posted by End of my rope

Someone can be turned down for a job because they're fat, but not because they're hispanic, black, irish...any of those things. I think it should all be on an equal playing field.

 

I'm certainly not endorsing or justifying the practice of obese people not getting the job due to their weight, but one consideration, from an employer's point of view is......it shouldn't be a big surprise that rather obese people have a higher incidence of health problems (diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac problems, risk of strokes, risk of heart attacks, back problems, knee problems, asthma, etc). This can result in these employees using a lot more "sick time"......which can cost the employer a substantial amount of $. Also, rather obese people, depending on the type of job they do, can be much more at risk for back and knee injuries, on or off the job (if on the job, then there's workman's comp claim, short term disability, long term disability, etc).

 

Let's face it, most employers/businesses, their bottom line is to make money, not lose money in having to pay sick time, the "hidden costs" associated with that (getting replacement staff, etc), higher workman's comp premiums, the costs for each short or long term disability claim, etc. These kind of employees can be viewed as a liability.

 

I guess this is another way to look at it, from the employer's point of view. Just thought I'd throw that out there. And no, I'm not an employer, but I do work in a profession that deals with employee absences, workman's comp claims, disability claims, employee sick time usage, costs to rehabilitate an employee who's been off for a lengthy period of time due to health issues, etc.

[moimeme]

It isn't the last discrimination. Looks are. They will always be.

[Tony T]

"What's wrong with Americans that so many of us are that overweight?"

 

They eat too much of the wrong things, sit around in front of the computer and television too much, have too many desk jobs and exercise too little. Any other questions?

 

They also are very defensive about their obesity. Everytime I have said how unattractive fat is on this forum, I've gotten clobbered. But that hasn't changed the fact that fat is unattractive.

[faux]

There is certainly a type of discrimination against people who are fat. From age 14 - 17 I was 115 pounds at 5'4". When I was still 17 I got put on different types of medication, most of which caused me to gain weight. I got up to 230-ish pounds at my height, and gained in height to just make it to 5'5".

 

It's horrible to be in that situation. People look at you differently, make comments and treat you in a different way. The weight gain was certainly something I wasn't used to, and no matter how many different types of medication I tried I couldn't manage the weight again. I stayed about that heavy until I was 19, and then a little later on worked down to 170-180ish. Still heavy for my height. At that point I got into more relationships and it wasn't nearly as bad as before, but still I wasn't happy.

 

I finally ditched all the medication because I couldn't take it anymore. I worked hard and now I weight 140 pounds at age 21. I'd like to lose some more but most people say not to.

 

I noticed after losing a lot of weight that people treat me differently now. There also seems to be some type of criticism on how people dress, as since I started dressing a little nicer I noticed I get treated even better and taken far more seriously.

 

Going from a 38, nearly 40 waist to a 29 was a journey I wish I didn't have to take but it has given me some insight. People who are doing the judging don't know if your weight problem is entirely your fault. Weight problems come from many sources, medication being just one of them. No matter what the cause though you still get treated fairly badly at times.

 

I felt disgusting when I weighed that much and I still do find other people who are overweight to be less than desireable to be around at times. Perhaps I shouldn't seeing I was in the same boat, but as Tony mentioned fat just isn't always appealing. I am usually partial to women who are classified as “BBW”s, but I have my limitations and I'm picky in general, and I wouldn't consider the women I am attracted to “fat”

[WWDDFD]

I'm fat.

 

I used to be huge.

 

 

 

I've never noticed any discrimination, but I was always very self-conscious about my weight, and it turned me into a socially awkward introvert.

 

 

But none of this was caused by the way other people treated me.

 

 

 

The problem with calling "discrimination" against fat people "discrimination", is the fact that fat people essentially choose to be fat. People cannot choose their skin color, height, or gender... but you can make a decision to eat mcdonalds all day and sit on your ass.

 

Or you can decide that you've had enough with that kind of life, and exercise 6 days a week. Like I did.

 

 

95% of all fat people are fat because they are lazy and choose to be that way. I know this because I was lazy, and I chose to be that way. I have chosen to be different now.

[carla]

In a Perfect World people would look at others for who they are not what they are.

One of my friends is probably one of the biggest people I have ever met. But I'll tell you he has a heart of gold, he is a true sweet heart. He would do what ever he could to help someone out. I had 2 people comment "Wow is he ever fat!" My response was yes he's a big man but his heart is just as big. Once these 2 people got to know him, now there comment about him is "Gee is he ever a nice guy!"

I just wish people weren't so superfical.

[Iamhappy]

I'm being nitpicky, but it's spelled "Shakespeare." Still, I love the Macbeth quote.

 

It isn't the last discrimination. Looks are. They will always be.

 

I'm in agreement with Merry on this one. Although, I do know a lot of people who see a fat person and automatically equate that with lazy, sloppy and unattractive. Sad, but true.

 

I think a lot of Americans are overweight because of the type of culture and lifestyle we have. It isn't just us anymore. England has her own battle with the bulge.

 

May I just add to the rest of the quote? It's one of my favorite passages from Macbeth (coincidentally the same one that inspired William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury.)

 

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage

And then is heard no more: it is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

[End of my rope]

First I would like to say thanks for the heads up on the spelling of Shakespeare. I am afraid I am a horrible speller! I am a huge Shakespeare fan but that quote from MacBeth is my favorite. Tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow...

 

Now as far as people being fat. Yes for some they choose it. They're lazy. But for some people they are genetically inclined to have a weight problem. All my life I have stuggled with weight. Allow me to paint a picture for you. My best friend in school was always thin and I was alway battling my weight. We did everything together. We were both in sports from the time we were small, we played basketball, softball, volleyball, and did marching band in high school. I was active, I didn't have time to sit in front of the t.v. and shovel food into my mouth. However I still fought with my weight. We could go out to eat together and she would eat twice what I would and never gained an ounce. So you see, it's not always something that can be controlled easily. It's not always that someone is "just lazy".

[Errol]

Originally posted by WWDDFD

95% of all fat people are fat because they are lazy and choose to be that way. I know this because I was lazy, and I chose to be that way. I have chosen to be different now.

 

What is your source for the 95%?

 

I don't believe it is that high at all. Many people have chosen a lifestyle or have chosen to accept a lifestyle that is condusive to obesity, but many others are obese or overweight simply because of natural human evolution and environmental influence. More and more people go to work in offices where they don't have to get up as much as they used to 40 years ago--they can get more done in one place with less effort. Productivity demands are greater and many people work longer hours and eat at their desks. Many people have other non-weight related health problems that have contributed to their weight -- I have a couple of friends who fall into that category and from them I learned to never judge a book by its cover. Not all big people are lazy or undisciplined. Not all big people are health risks.

 

I don't remember what the percentages are - but I read an article in a medical magazine recently that showed the percentage of people who fall within normal weight ranges and die is higher than the percentage of large/overweight/obese people for the same ages, except when they get to the 60+ years old categories, then its about equal.

 

The constant media hype about obesity is not all based on medical findings. A good HR person will know that and evaluate the individual person---its not about possible health risks at all---it is strictly appearance because companies don't want obese people to represent them. Its narrow-minded and ignorant to think that obesity = less inteligence, no discipline, no self-respect, etc.

 

Genetics and the progress of the human species does play a major role in the number of people today who are overweight and yes, so does diet and exercise. My kids would have stayed inside playing computer games and gameboy all the time if I did not force them to go outside and play and get some exercise and that doesn't mean going to the nearest arcade and eating pizza while standing in front of an arcade game.

 

My spouse has a genetic disposition to weight gain. Her metabolism is not the same as mine. We can consume and the same calories and get the same amount/type of exercise but she will gain weight and I won't. Some of our kids are the same way. Our bodies are unique in how they turn food into fat. It is not something that is completely controllable for every person.

 

It is a combination of things and its unique to each person - but pop society and the media are guiding the way people and businesses think and treat obese people. The average size for women used to be size 8. Now its considered to be size 12 because people are just bigger than they used to be. I wish I could find that article! I tried to post a link to it before but the article was removed.

 

Complacency and Inertia are problems -- but to attribute all fat/obese people to these factors is false and unjust.

[jenny]

one of the best articles i have read on the topic of diet-think suggested using one of two methods to start a overall healthy life.

 

1. stop imagining yourself on a diet and begin to eat reasonably and exercise daily. you must decide to be happy in your body by making healthier choices.

 

the second tactic was aimed at those of us who grew up in the diet/fitness crazed 80s, and who are so immersed in diet-think that is is difficult to leave that behind. i like having rules; i like lists and firm set of guidelines. i get confused by having too many choices.

 

2. know you have to be on a diet for the rest of your life. this diet means you may never again eat junk food, fatty sweets, addictive and nutrionally void carbohydrates, chips. you must watch your fat intake every day, as well as your carb intake; and you must exercise everyday. you must decide to be disciplined.

 

weirdly, 1 and 2 are basically the same, actually. when i visit my doctor, and tell him i'm on a diet, and describe what i eat and do, it's just what normal, healthy, people do. the difference between the two of the ideas is that the second is about what you may *not* eat - it's basically a negative approach. the first is basically a positive one.

 

for me, the second approach works. even when i'm getting in shape for something in particular - i think in terms of "i may not NOT lift weights today" despite the hideous grammar of this statement. i like laws, i like having those choices made for me; laws are all about restricting and preventing.

 

it works for me, but it does not work for most people. i think this negative mindset has basically abandoned america in its obesity - it is not a country that is practise in handling resource deprivation. i think the second people that they may NOT do something, they have to purge into it. according to what i've read, most restrictive diets don't work for the reasons stated above- the body goes into starvation mode and absorbs everything when the person finally caves into super double plus size fries.

[moimeme]

So you see, it's not always something that can be controlled easily. It's not always that someone is "just lazy".

 

Scientists are finding biological causes for everything, including obesity. Like any other addiction, I think there are multiple contributing factors. Some people just overeat, true, but others have other situations to deal with.

 

My ex-husband was a stick. Half the time, he underweighed me by 5 lbs and I have never been overweight. We would go out to a restaurant and have a four-course meal. He would eat all of his meal, then finish off the plates for everyone else. And not gain a pound. He never starved at home; always ate more than me, and still did not put on weight. He didn't exercise, either.

 

Not everybody who eats a lot gets fat and not every fat person eats a lot.