A few days back I posted a question about the difference between coughing at a smoker, and gagging at an obese person. Yes both are impolite, people have feelings, blah, blah, blah.
My question was more of a comment on political correctness. Both are rude, and we live in a country were you can say and do whatever you want, as long as it doesn't impede on the rights of others. If you want to smoke, you should be able to smoke, if you want to eat yourself to death, you have that right too. But lets not pretend that one is better then the other. Really, do you think that the number of people who suffer from these "conditions" that cause obesety is all that significant? Instead of making excuses, more people should own up to there faults. I am overweight, I admit it. And, I used to smoke. I am not blaming anyone. It's funny, though. When I told people that I quit smoking, they congratulated me. When I started my diet, They all told me that I wasn't overweight, or not to "take it too far". I am 5'8, 195lbs. Anorexia isn't even an issue. No one even thought of the health risks that attributed my being overweight, but everyone thought of the potential of me starving myself to death. We can point at people like Lindsey Lohen and comment on how unhealthy she is, but not at Wynona Judd. Why all of this empathy towards obesity?
Again, this is not a jab at anyone, this is a social commentary. Why is our society so fat-sensitive?
2006-06-23 06:33:48 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
To all of you people who srcream "thyroids" and "Diabetes" most of those people who have those issuse, got them from over-eating. Read the question befor you answear, please.
2006-06-23 07:07:45 · update #1
You know that is so funny I feel the same way you do - It sure is a fat sensitive society - Everyone is affraid of hurting someone's feelings - I Dont feel sorry for anyone.
5"8 eh? Well I am only 5"6 and 195lbs...I know what you mean I too want to lose like atleast 40lbs.......but at the same time "weight" doesnt really matter its how you look. :)
2006-06-23 06:38:27 · answer #1 · answered by alley7@rogers.com 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Its the way people on t.v. show others, You can not be in the movies, or a model if you fat. Besides Roseann Barr, who else is fat? Not many people are over weight on t.v. or in the movies. The producers want very thin people.( Just like the Olsen twins, were told as young children, after working on a set, not to OVER EAT) These children did exactly as was told and one of the girls ended up in a physo ward due to being on the verge of death. Alot of people are stupid when it comes to seeing obesed people. They think all they do is sit and eat junk food all day long, when if asked, they have so many health problems its not a joke. Doctors want to give their patients shizo drugs, they think their JUST depressed. So when you tend to take certain meds, this puts weight on an already heavy person.And 9 out of 10 the people who are obesed have Thyroid problems. If a thyroid doesnnot work properly, you will gain weight.
2006-06-23 07:05:24 · answer #2 · answered by Moose 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Obesity is one of the last social stigmas. Each person has a different standard as to what is considered beautiful and what is not. Because weight is such a personal issue, it is a sensitive one. Society's standards of weight have changed. In the 1800's a Rubensque (curvy) woman signified wealth and comfort. Marilyn Monroe was a size 14 and considered "normal." Now a size 14 is considered obese.
While there may be persons who do need to stand up and take responsibility for losing weight and not blame society etc, weight can also be indicative of greater problems (abuse, depression, anxiety, and medical conditions).
2006-06-23 06:39:10 · answer #3 · answered by Crystal D 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There's one factor you aren't taking into account. There isn't a medical condition that can make a person smoke, however there are many that can make a person over weight. Thyroid and pancreatic problems can both cause weight issues. (those are just two I can think of off the top of my head.) When you look at a smoker, you know they made a concious decision to smoke but you can't look at an overweight person and automatically assume they eat a lot. That isn't always the case.
2006-06-23 06:39:43 · answer #4 · answered by Heathen 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Even though this country is turning more immoral everyday I still think it is still engrained enough in us not to hurt anyones feelings. Eventhough when we are kids we all made fun of the fat ones or the ugly ones or the poor ones. As we get older we tend (some more than others) to put those childish thing away. Your friends on the other hand don't see you as fat. They see you as thier friend. Don't take it as empathy. Also don't be swayed by them. If you feel like you want to loose some weight than go right ahead. Just don't feel pressured to do anything. PS Great job quitting smoking. I'm still in that battle..............
2006-06-23 06:42:50 · answer #5 · answered by guitar200174055 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obesity, according to the Medical profession, is becoming the number 1 disease killer in America. It leads to so many things, one is diabeties which is really nasty.
2006-06-23 06:52:08 · answer #6 · answered by Irish 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is now someone elses turn on the soapbox, get down.
2006-06-23 07:21:16 · answer #7 · answered by Simply Lovely 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
who cares
2006-06-23 06:36:52 · answer #8 · answered by nicegirl187smile 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋