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LaTigresse -> RE: Fat People (8/15/2011 8:45:15 AM)
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I always find these thread quite interesting actually. The deep emotions that this one topic creates is, to me, indicative of how much of a problem it really is.
I think that, because of the stigma attached, and the emotional and mental strain it causes, the major struggle it is for people to change....overweight people have a really strong, almost attachment, to pushing their size to the other side of the spectrum of making it acceptable. Wanting to be seen as more than a fat person. Something I totally get and support 100%.
Unfortunately none of that negates the health risks associated with be fat and out of shape. No more or less so that drinking to excess or smoking. However, many thin people that have been polled, would rather risk lung cancer by smoking, than be fat. This tells of the stigma our society has about being fat.............all while most of us ARE fat and out of shape. This speaks of an awful lot of self loathing.....which then leads back to fighting to make it acceptable and to be seen as more than......a disgusting fat person. Something they themselves are seeing, in some way, based upon our societal conditioning, when they look at themselves. It is a vicious circle of self loathing, a fight for acceptance both of self and with others, yet that undeniable awareness that it is unhealthy and that they will, at some point, pay a price.
If indeed food is an addiction in some way or another, it must be the most difficult to overcome..... I was able to stop smoking entirely without dying. My father COULD, stop drinking completely and only improve his life. But we cannot stop eating and survive.
I actually believe that these sorts of discussions are excellent.........if they are kept in the right tone. I believe that desensitizing the triggers like 'fat' and 'obese' with good discussion can only improve our societal mindsets and, maybe just maybe, make it acceptable to say things like "I AM fat and out of shape and I DO need help because fighting this is fucking HARD!" instead of attaching such stigmas. Stigmas like fat = lazy, dirty, slob, etc etc etc....
Being fat and out of shape IS a health epidemic in this country and becoming one world wide. If we don't find a way to deal with it, in a constructive manner, our health care costs WILL continue to rise along with many other things we don't even take into consideration, like fuel and energy consumption.
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