why isn't being fat a disability?

Question

i run 3 miles a day and dont eat over 3000 calories. this has been my routing for 7 years now and im 390 pounds. i do have excellect cholesterol and good blood pressure but i never loose weight.

Answer 1

Medical science recognizes obesity may stem from various causes not always subject to the obese person's conscious control. Social Security recognizes that under certain circumstances obesity may be disabling and the obese person may be entitled to disability benefits.

"Obesity" is a category of disability specifically listed in the Social Security regulations. It is one of the "Listings."

Answer 2

Wow. I had a different answer ready until I read the rest of what you wrote. How can you run like that? I got shin splints every time I ever tried, even when I was a teen and only 10 or 20 pounds overweight. And you have your blood pressure and cholesterol doing good?

I think I need advice from you, not the other way around. I weigh half that, have bad cholesterol and blood pressure and blood sugar... and fight fatigue as much as I can to walk the dog a mile or two 4 or 5 times/week.

I have a really large frame. Put your fingers around the wrist of the opposite hand and if they don't close around it you have a large frame. Notice that some people can even circle their fingers to overlap around their opposite wrist. They have small frames. A person with an avg. frame has fingers that just fit together around the opposite wrist.

I was going to ask if you take thyroid medication, but if your thyroid were slow you couldn't run.

You haven't said how old you are, or how tall. You got to be tall, right? Exercise like that should really help your metabolism.

Actually, I imagine being overweight is considered disabling "if" prevents you from functioning. (severe obesity) Obviously you do function pretty good!

(And hey, how many of us use the excuse to use the handicapped stall in the restroom where you can get the door to open outwards.)

Answer 3

I think that some people with weight problems should be able to collect disability - it can cause several problems health wise.

Sometimes weight problems can be congenital. Some people are insulin resistant (my problem). Sometimes weight problems are due to eating the wrong foods or lack of exercise (which doesn't seem to be your problem). Sometimes weight problems are due to a thyroid disorder (also my problem), or it could be related to some other organs. Some weight problems can be related to medications.

A couple of thoughts cross my mind. No. 1 - Keep a food diary, every day write everything you eat and drink (write it down as soon as you can so that it doesn't escape your memory). No. 2 - seek the advice of your physician (you could have a medical problem that is preventing weight loss). No. 3 - You might seek advise from a dietian (call your physician to get a reference of one to call).

Talk with someone (physician or dietian) about your workout routine and calorie intake (keeping a food diary will help them to see what you eat - what is good/bad).

I wish you luck with your efforts. Keep on trying. I know it can be discouraging when you are trying and not loosing any weight, but you cannot give up on yourself. You are only limited by your lack of desire (not saying that is you - only saying that that is what limits people of possibilities).

Answer 4

Why would you think 3,000 a day is ok when you only run 3 miles a day? 3 miles isn't magic ya know. Hopefully you don't have a thyroid condition. I wouldn't call being fat a disability, but it is definitely a health concern. Good luck! It's great that you are 390 and run!

Answer 5

In most places obesity is a reason for disability. But, it shouldn't be anywhere. I myself am about 25-30lbs overweight and I would never ask for disability no mater how much I weighed. My husband weights almost 300lbs and works in the sun 7 days a week, and never complains. If you are over weight go to a doctor, change your diet get more exercise, obviously the diet and exercises your on isn't working, but don't complain about disability when people who really need it have a hard enough time getting it.

Answer 6

It can be a disability. Obesity can cause heart problems as it did for my husband. He is a diabetic and weighed over 400 LBs. He had gastric bypass surgery to help his risk of a heart attack. He now weighs 245 LBs so the surgery worked. He is on social security disability because of back and hip problems. Being overweight caused a lot of his problems. I hope you are seeing a doctor. Ask about the bypass surgery. Maybe it could help you.

Answer 7

Shut the F$%$^%$ up!!!
I read the question that told me to come to this question. DUDE!!!!!!!!!
You shouldn't be eating anymore than 1400 calories.
And you should be walking 2 miles per DAY!
I get irritated with people like you. I HAVE spinal injuries,It hurts my SPINE to do activities because of my injuries...NOT because I eat too much.
I was a gymnast and have always been in shape until my injury..I have put on 40 lbs - lost 10- without the ability to go for a walk.
BITE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

First off, I have my doubts that you run 3 miles a day. Walk, maybe, but run... come on...

Thing with being fat is that you can't have it both ways. On the one hand, large people complain that they want to be equally treated for jobs, etc. and on the other, they want disability.. which is it going to be?

Answer 9

the fact that you have been doind the same routine for 7 yrs doesnt help your diet. check for thyroid condition and change up your diet. Eat something else, do a different exercise. change it up for a bit and maybe you'll see a change. dont take any diet pills... they do help but after you stop you gain the weight again. Exercise frequently (diff things every other day) and eat in moderation.

Answer 10

I would love to see a 400 lbs man run 3 miles everyday lol.

Btw... disability for being fat??? Everyone would sit on their fat a$$ and eat all day long and get paid for it.