Nat'l Assoc. to Advance Fat Acceptance - what do you think of it?

Question

http://www.naafa.org/

Answer 1

I can't believe the replies to this. It sickens me. Just because someone is "fat", doesn't mean they're lazy. Just because they're "fat" doesn't mean they eat 6 servings at a buffet. You people are just cruel. As for the nurses comments, I can't believe she's a nurse. A nurse would have more compassion and information. When I see people in handicap spaces or scooters, they're usually old, not "fat". And the few "fat" ones that are on a scooter, you can't fairly assume they're there for that reason. You have NO idea what their medical history is. This kind of judgement and treatment is why organizations like this get started.

Diabetes and heart disease and many other health issues don't stem just from being overweight. Heredity plays a large part in it. I know a good deal of unhealthy "thin" people. As for diabetes being to blame on obese people, that's totally false. It's a well known and published fact that the numbers have been lowered severely over the past several years. This has put MANY people (of all shapes and sizes) in the category of being diabetic that normally wouldn't be there. The only ones making profit from this are the drug companies. A real nurse would know that too.

Obese people aren't asking for anything special. They just want to be allowed to be who they are and accepted as such. If people can walk around looking anorexic, which is just as unhealthy, and be accepted, then so should obese people. Personally, I'd rather see someone with "meat" than a sack of bones being held together by skin. Don't judge a book by the cover until you've read the whole story.

Answer 2

As I have said before, these groups touting fat acceptance need to come into reality and start promoting healthy weights. No one wants to sit next to the 300lb guy on a tiny airplane seat who has to take up a seat and a half to get on. Meanwhile, you're pressed flat-nosed against the window. Obesity has put so many strains on the healthcare system, it's ridiculous. However, I do want to point out that HMO's and other money making health organizations are MUCH to blame in this also. Instead of helping someone with their diet and educating them on fitness and healthy eating, these companies don't want to pay for such services, but yet, when the person gets diabetes, they'll gladly pay $400 grand for their operation when their foot is amputated. WTH??

Answer 3

I'm all for equal rights, but being fat is something you can act upon and improve upon if you really want to. Yes I acknowledge there are people that are naturally, genetic predispositioned to being big, but if you are then do something about it and at least try to lose weight not just for social acceptance but for your own health. Acceptance of obesity does not set a good precedent. This just shows how much of a problem it is in this country that we've pretty much said "screw it, let's give up" when we should be saying "let's do something about it".

If you have a serious medical condition and your doctor tells you to cut out the fats or you could die and you still don't listen, then don't just say, "It's my right" and expect to be treated equally as another patient who takes care of themself. In the case of a heart transplant, if it came down to a fat lazy person who didn't take care of themself vs. someone who the doctors know will actually take care of their new donor heart, then who do you think will get first priority? It makes perfect sense that it works that way.

BTW: I would apply the same reasoning to anorexia and bulimia. If they ever started a political organization for the rights of the starved and emaciated it would be equally absurd to push for the acceptance to starve yourself to near death.

Answer 4

What a crock! "National Association for Lazy People with no discipline" is more like it! Instead of cutting back on the take out and getting off your ****, they attempt to lower the standard.

People with a variety of medical conditions get a free pass of course, as some would be at least somewhat overweight no matter what they did.

I gained more than a few pound after a disabling Industrial accident, as I can't get around like before. It was tough to re-arrange my eating habits and try to get out and be active again, but it is possible.

Answer 5

God I hope not, next it would be the National Assoc for the advancement of Smokers

Answer 6

From their site:
(1) Streamline our organization to make it more nimble, more effective, and more responsive;
...
(3) Pursue universal healthcare;
***
Can't help but see some irony in (1). And typical, they want everyone to carry the load for their bad conduct.

Isn't fat already widely accepted? Look around you.

Answer 7

At first I thought 'It depends on what they mean by "acceptance". Then I looked through the web-site and saw the "accommodations and physical accessibility" drive - you can bet that what they want is to be able to take up twice as much space on a plane for the same price. This is just a way for people to rationalize being fat and claim their own victimhood.

Answer 8

As a nurse, do you know how much obesity costs us as a society? CODP, diabetes, heart disease. And have you noticed, most of the handicapped parking spaces and "scooter" carts are taken by fat people? They are obese because they don't move, yet we say they can't move because they are obese, DUH! As far as them wanting to kill themselves, fine, I accept with no problem or discrimination. DON'T apply for disability and expect me to support you for it.

"National Assoc. to Advance Fat Special Treatment"?

Answer 9

I think it is ludicrous. Most overweight people have a discipline problem, although there are some exceptions (thyroid conditions come to mind)

Answer 10

Sick



Who sponsered it, Ben and Jerry's