Why is society so mean to people with weight problems?

Question

I was just wondering. There seems to be so much discrimination against overweight people. Why?

By the way, I'm an overweight person. I wear a size 12 in womens clothing.

Answer 1

That's a good question. When I was growing up, I was very overweight.

They called me names like this: Fat Phuk, Wilderbeest, Bad Body, Fat N Nasty, Umpa Lumpa.

People are mean to overweight people because you can't hide it. Drug and alcohol abusers can mask their problems. Anorexics can also. Being overweight is a mark that is in plain sight so people like to judge.

I think that if everyone would stop making fun or talking about others and concentrate on themeselves, we would have a great world. No body is perfect. We're all just works in progress.

Answer 2

Because they are not seen as "normal". They are thought of as pigs and lazy when truly most of them aren't. The norm seems to be women who eat like a bird and buy clothes in the kids section. Is that right? No. I feel sorry for the overweight population. Alot of people have a very hard time losing the weight and a much easier time gaining it. It is in the genes. I have struggled with my weight my whole life. Am I lazy, piggish? Heck no. But I am looked down upon by my peers. I will never be a size zero. Don't wanna be. Ok, so some of "us" overindulge and sit around, but the majority do not do that. People have to stop looking at other people as targets. The world is a cruel place. If another's life does not affect you then leave them alone. Why judge them?

Answer 3

I do not know what it means to " wear a size 12 in women's clothing ". If that is very overweight, it is very unhealthy. People, even is they can not catch something, shy away from unhealthiness, on average. Esthetically appreciation also comes into the picture. The symmetrical are preferred and deferred to. This is a description of the way things are and not an endorsement of the way people act.

Answer 4

People are mean to overweight people because we have been taught that being that way makes a person, dumb, undisciplined, lazy and unwanted. Its a stereotype like an other. A woman who is fat but has a nice face will be looked over and chosen over a woman who is thin but a not so attractive face. Peer pressue also affects this. Men who like heavier women face ridicule from their friends because he is dating a fat chick and thus do not take a chance at a good relationship. I remember being at a picnic and guy was asking if they thought his girl was too big. How wrong!

It is true that being overweight lead to many many problems and it isnot healthy to be extremely overweight. However it has gotten to the point that as I heard in the radio being over a size 6 meant that the girl was "porking out." Not every one is made for a size two!

Answer 5

First of all I don't think a size 12 is overweight unless you are 4 ft tall--second of all I think that people put overweight people in a category with the alcoholic and drug abusers--that they have a choice to not use or in this case not to eat--sometimes that is the case and sometimes its a medical problem--third of all the fashion of the world crams thin at us constantly so many think that's the only way to be--

Answer 6

People are people so why should it be that you and I should get along so awfully.
, , ,

What makes a man hate a man ? Help me understand !


^^^ part of a 70's song ^^^


In my many years of being on the planet I have come to the realization that people do not need Any Reason to hate , they just do and any reason will suffice.

I personally think it is about a space thing. There are far too many people and there is not enough personal space per person and the so called 'fat people' are seen to take up more space. Back to the above this is just (a) reason and (any) reason is good enough. This could be used for anyone or anything.
Another version is you are either one of us or one of them ( them being the bad guys) It is used against the environmentalist who try to save what little so called undeveloped land is left for the undomesticated animals that also inhabit this planet we live on. Those who want to add more roads to make it easier for themselves hate those who would stop such an action (those d@^^ned environmentalist wackos who ride bikes or want to save land for some frog or salamander or some other stupid animal)

I hope to see better answers than what I've seen so far.

Answer 7

Uumm...excuse me,since when did being over weight make you dumb.I resent that remark.I am heavy,I am overweight,I am not grossly obese,lazy,DUMB,or most of the other things said in these comments,I have health problems,but it's because I smoke,Maybe that makes me DUMB.Well if so then so is every skinny smoker out there.How many people that answered this are overweight?Or are you just the people that make fun of us?I'll bet every FAT person on this site has tried to diet and failed.I tried to eat one salad a day and gained weight!Don't talk about what you don't know about.That makes you DUMB.

Answer 8

This has been going on since forever, you see - people see most obese people as, lazy, boring or consume much space, and some just like themselves too much to the point that they look down to the people who look worse, and some may have psychological problems, maybe got bullied by the fat kid in elementary school, you can't tell, but I personally think if you let people be mean to you, then it's your fault, because overweight people tend to be shy and closed, so simply don't be.

Answer 9

Because "boundry maintenance" really does exist. And this is one of those cases where people percieve something or someone as different and react according to how societies current opinion on that topic has prescribed for them to act.

It's just a reversal of societies attitudes and beliefs in early America, where being thin was a status sign of being poor while plump was the way to be.

Answer 10

Most people believe that fat people just have no will power, sadly it is much more that this. Not unlike an alcoholic, that can't control his drinking. but there is a certain amount of self responsibility here, And most people that are overweight can certainly do something about it. Society does not realize how hard it is for someone over weight. they are just looked at as fat lazy slobs...