Do you sympathise with fat people?

Question

Talking about really obese people, not slightly overweight ones. A lot of them seem to whine about how it's not their fault and such, when obviously it is in most cases. I find it impossible to feel sorry for them unless they actually do have a condition which causes it.

Obesity has been rising dramatically in recent years, are some of you suggesting that more and more people are having these 'emotional problems' that cause them to keep eating too much?

Answer 1

It always amazes me when I walk throgh my home town at 10am the amount of obese people walking along trying to shovel down a 'big Mac'!! then try to blame their weight problem on 'their glands'! How can anyone feel sorry for someone who doesn't have enough self respect to look after themselves!!!

Answer 2

I do sympatize with them. EVen when their obesity isn't due to a genetic condition.
Many times over eating isn't due just to plain laziness.The volatile pleasure of eating creamy fatty comfort foods is used as a means to just fill in an emotional void.
Stressful and traumatic experiences such as bullying, the death of a beloved person, the end of a relationship (just to name a few) can seriously affect your self-esteem.
You feel lonely, defeated and worthless.
You are unable to percieve any external stimulation and relate to the world around you. Eating is something you can enjoy while you are on your own thus avoiding confrontation.
I'm not saying this is the right way to cope with stress, i'm just saying that i understand where these people are coming from.

Answer 3

hmm, seeing as how i once upon a time worked with severly obese individuals i must say that in most cases that i have come across it is the individual's fault. It starts off in one form or another a way to cope with difficulties but then it turns into habit and guilt. I appluad any individual that takes a stand to help themself, be it lifestyle change or in extreme cases; surgery. I will say that i can sympathize because it takes a lot to drive someone into such condition, no one just got that way because they had a hang nail, they usually experience an extremely tramatic event, one that isn't just common. I don't care for those that just continue to let themselves go because they believe there is nothing they can do.

Answer 4

sometimes there can be many different reasons why a person is obese, there are medical factors sometimes but not always

Its not always down to just 'being lazy' etc etc

binge eating is an eating disorder just as anorexia or bullimia is. Everyone is different and that is why some people will NEVER be anorexic and some could NEVER be bullimic......... problems affect different people in different ways

...... we all act differently when faced with problems, dont be so judgemental when you see an obese person, it may be something they cannot control.

if you have ever known anyone that is anorexic or bullimic you will know you cant just tell them to eat or not be sick. it doesnt work like that.. and the same way you cannot tell someone who is a binge eater to just stop eating

All eating disorder sufferers know what they are doing to themselves but they just have no control over it


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binge_eating

http://www.eatinghelp.co.uk/factsheet.php

http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=286&Profile_ID=41140

http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/binge_eating.html

http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/Bingeeating.html

reading some of those answers people have posted since i was writing mine made me feel really sad........ how cruel some people can be

"there but for the grace of God go i" ...... and if you dont know what that means looks it up!!!

Answer 5

i feel sorry for some obese ones who actually have medical issues & they continuously try 2 lose weight but 2 no success..

but some of them r obese coz of laziness 2 exercise or stop over eating

Answer 6

I do, because alot of the time their metabolism slows way down when they get heavier and it is very difficult to get the weight down. They need motivation from positive influences and not people who discredit their problems. You shouldn't judge so quickly unless you have walked in their shoes.

Answer 7

No I don't sympathise with them... We all know what we need to do to stay in shape...and that's eat healthily and take up some regular exercise......

There should be a fat tax though, put on all the shite sold in supermarkets thats processed and perhaps tax relief put on fresh produce.

We tax fags and alcohol which supposedly pays for the health effects of them, so why not on food too?

Answer 8

You may think that it is there fault because you see them eating. For you maybe, it's easy to say "Okay, I'm full", but for them, eating is not always about being hungry. There are deep seated and very serious emotional issues that need to be addressed before they can get to where you are. You can't blame them any more than you can blame someone who has an obsessive/compulsive disorder or is bipolar. I don't pity them either, but I would certainly help them and I do feel bad for them. If my friend or spouse got to that point, I'd stick by them and support them fully. I prefer as well, to see people as people without the labels.

Answer 9

Yes, I do sympathise with them. I have been there and fought my way back to a normal size so, I understand completely how they feel. It's a lifelong fight that isn't easy.

Answer 10

i don't know. i'm pretty fat now so i sympathize to a degree. but some of these people, it's like they're trying to defy the law of physics about how fat a person can be, it's truly incredible. i honestly don't know HOW some get so fat, like how much would you have to eat?!

but i think some of this has to do with genetics. you don't see fat asians, do you? nope. and if you see a fat child, look at their parents.. also fat

i guess it depends on the person. some fat people are loud and annoying and whiny, some are ok.

being fat is hard.. it's hard to get around, hard to have energy and everyone hates you. so they're not having a lot of fun probably. and they could be depressed, i mean it's like they give up on themselves. "let themselves go."