Can being obese be a sign of low self-esteem?

[AVarma]

I know this will probably offend some people but I've wondered if being obese can be a sign of not having good self-esteem? In that people who are obese don't take care of themselves because they may not value themselves as much?

[evanescentworld]

I think it becomes a vicious circle...

 

People 'comfort eat.'

Believe it or not, we are taught and onditioned to comfort eat from the time we are babies.

When a child cries, very often, the first thing the caring prent will do (And sadly, it is all-too-often, the mother) is put something into the baby's mouth. Either a dummy, a bottle of sweet drink, or even (the child being old enough) a cookie, a piece of chocolate, or a candy bar of some kind. But even if the child is given a 'healthy' snack, it's still appealing to the palate, and comfort food.

 

As we get older, we associate eating with feeling better.

We associate food with feel-good'.

 

For many people, this does not transform into a problem, but for others, who may undergo an emotional shock (from being bullied at school, to a throwaway barbed comment, from bereavement to break-up) food becomes a constant source of temporary comfort - which then may lead to weight-gain, which leads to poor self-image, which leads to loss of confidence, which leads to depresssion, which leads to....comfort eating.

 

so I think, far too many times, the issues go hand in hand.

[StalwartMind]

Well yes, having low self-esteem is one of many reasons as to why someone can end up being obese. There are many other factors that can be the reason as well, I don't think that's offensive to say, but it's in everyone's interest to be supportive and help individuals that struggle for whatever reason. Be kind to those less fortunate than yourself, it doesn't matter if the reason was being lazy, so many things can happen in life that make people end up in situations that are far from ideal.

[ascendotum]

I would say its a vicious circle too. I do think people with low self esteem could lead them to become obese, but many others who suffer from low self esteem wont, because they have better genetics in that regard, and/or just don't overdo it on the junk food or have the same food cravings.

 

Once they have got to the 'fat' stage though I bet low self esteem especially kicks in and they seek comfort in food or are too depressed to get motivated to change their life and/or too embarrassed to get involved in social fitness orientated activities. I've known a couple of obese people, and when I try to encourage them to eat better better of start of with baby steps by just walking around the park each day, they don't say anything and just look sad/unhappy. I get the feeling they left things go by for too long that I think they now resent that its going to be hard work to be normal weight. Many overweight (non obese) people though don't have low self esteem and are fine with how they look, well at least they don't stress about it.

[thefooloftheyear]

People with low self esteem do many things...Being heavy isnt necesarily because they have low self esteem...I know plenty of fat people who are completely content with themselves and dont have any issues...

 

And I gotta say...many people that are overly fit or heavily consumed with their physical appearance are just as likely as the fat person to have self esteem issues...maybe even more so...

 

TFY

[ascendotum]

And I gotta say...many people that are overly fit or heavily consumed with their physical appearance are just as likely as the fat person to have self esteem issues...maybe even more so...

TFY

 

yes. very true too.

[toscaroscura]

People with low self esteem do many things...Being heavy isnt necesarily because they have low self esteem...I know plenty of fat people who are completely content with themselves and dont have any issues...

 

And I gotta say...many people that are overly fit or heavily consumed with their physical appearance are just as likely as the fat person to have self esteem issues...maybe even more so...

 

TFY

 

True...my thinnest and/or most beautiful friends are often the ones who are most neurotic, obsessed and body-conscious. Whereas my body is average in every way (I have been fat, but no longer, yet I am no stunner) and I don't suffer from this crippling self-consciousness.

 

Not to say my heavier friends don't have insecurities. But the more gorgeous ones take it to a whole new level.

[AVarma]

True...my thinnest and/or most beautiful friends are often the ones who are most neurotic, obsessed and body-conscious. Whereas my body is average in every way (I have been fat, but no longer, yet I am no stunner) and I don't suffer from this crippling self-consciousness.

 

Not to say my heavier friends don't have insecurities. But the more gorgeous ones take it to a whole new level.

 

There is a difference between being fat and obese. Obese is usually an extreme condition.

[evanescentworld]

People with low self esteem do many things...Being heavy isnt necesarily because they have low self esteem...I know plenty of fat people who are completely content with themselves and dont have any issues...

 

And I gotta say...many people that are overly fit or heavily consumed with their physical appearance are just as likely as the fat person to have self esteem issues...maybe even more so...

 

TFY

Yes, but the question is, specifically, "CAN BEING OBESE be a sign of lo Self-Esteem?"

 

There is a difference between being fat and obese. Obese is usually an extreme condition.

Try telling the medical profession. Some still use the BMI index as a sacrosanct way of telling.

My cousin's son is a fit young, healthy rugby player, but according to his weight/body-mass, he's classified as 'clinically obese'....

[Maleficent]

Yes, but the question is, specifically, "CAN BEING OBESE be a sign of lo Self-Esteem?"

 

 

Try telling the medical profession. Some still use the BMI index as a sacrosanct way of telling.

My cousin's son is a fit young, healthy rugby player, but according to his weight/body-mass, he's classified as 'clinically obese'....

 

I thought they knew the chart goes out the window as soon as a person is active?

[evanescentworld]

It's even on his medical record. It's utterly nuts.

And if it can go out of the window, the moment they know someone is actually fit, then it shouldn't be used as a gauge in the first place.

 

My daughter is big. She's fat. She's overweight.

But she's lost 2-and-a-half stone in 3 months.

 

She went for a full medical check-up because she was worried about joint degeneration, diabetes cholesterol, so she had a full medical.

 

Two weeks later, she goes back for the full results.

She sits down and the doctor says,

 

"There isn't a blind thing wrong with you.

Cholesterol: Absolutely normal.

Diabetes? Not a sign.

Joint degeneration? Nothing there.

Blood pressure. Completely normal.

 

Young lady, yes, you're fat.

But you're what I call "Fit-Fat".

Hell, you're fitter than I am.

You walk everywhere, you attend the gym, you carry your weight very well.

I get you want to lose weight, but trust me, as things stand right now, it will be purely for aesthetic reasons. Because you are as fit as a fiddle."

 

And she is. She walks so fast, I have to trot to keep up with her...!

 

But to look at her, you'd think she stuffs her face with forty lbs of fries every day, and 20 bars of chocolate.

 

Has she been the victim, the target of thoughtless abuse, victimisation, prejudice and sheer bloody rudeness?

Has she been the butt of jokes and ridicule?

Damn right she has.

She has wept buckets of tears at the thoughtlessness and unkindness of others.

I have held her and comforted her as she has sobbed in my arms, helplessly.

 

But this has actually made her more determined than ever to lose the weight.

 

But with so many other fat people, it can so go the other way....

[AVarma]

Yes, but the question is, specifically, "CAN BEING OBESE be a sign of lo Self-Esteem?"

 

 

Try telling the medical profession. Some still use the BMI index as a sacrosanct way of telling.

My cousin's son is a fit young, healthy rugby player, but according to his weight/body-mass, he's classified as 'clinically obese'....

 

There is a difference between whether your weight is composed of fat or muscle. Obviously muscle is better. When I was talking about obesity I was thinking fat.

[D.Mc.]

I have always considered that when you have "obesity", it's not just 20lbs. or so that need to go so you can look good at the beach...it's something that is affecting your health, mobility etc. on a daily basis. The question is where does the obesity come from & if it is linked w/self esteem then this is my premise:

 

 

An illness? Genetics? Or is it the fact that weight is a physical thing you carry with you for all to see? So, people may not know that you were abused or had some horrible trauma at a young age. They can't see the pain in your mind but they can see the bulk of your body. Obesity literally puts a "wall" of flesh up around you...nobody can get close so nobody can hurt you again. You are literally carrying your pain with you for all to see. Not to trivialize an important health issue but as Disney says "Let it Go". I've watched those TLC shows about 600lb people...there is always an underlying psychological issue going on. When you can heal your mind, there is often a correlating physical improvement as well, IMHO.