Should fat people be forced to lose weight?

Question

I was fat once - but i went on a diet and exercised

Answer 1

I don't think they should be forced to. But they should definetly be encouraged to. There are so many health risks with obesity, especially in children now.

Answer 2

There is a psychological theory called "control theory" that, in common terms, says that you cannot make anyone do anything they do not want to do. In addition, forcing sounds somewhat like persecution. So, from a practical and moral standpoint, we should not force obese folks to lose weight.

However, we do need to create better incentives and processes that encourage obese people to choose to lose weight (like you did). I used to be overweight and went your route: ate less, exercised more. Now incentives can be either positive or negative. A positive incentive might be to give people discounted gym memberships as they lose weight. A negative incentive would be to allow health insurance companies to charge higher premiums to obese people (airlines already make them purchase two seats). Either can be effective if used right. It might that a combination of positive and negative incentives will yield the best outcome.

Either way, we need to slim down Americans. Obesity is the cause of so many ailments that it is essentially creating a health crisis. The confounding part of this, is that obesity is 100% curable if people take the tie and responsibility to deal with it.

Answer 3

Do we want overweight people to be forced to lose weight?? Probably not, because then we are infringing on a person's constitutional right to be fat. There are no laws against being fat. Additionally, where do we draw the line between chubby and fat?? While it is socially undesirable, there's nothing wrong with being "fluffy." You should think about the actual logistics of it. How you would feel if someone came into your home to regulate your diet and exercise- not because you want to lose weight, but because others feel you should be forced to lose weight. And you did not welcome this person into your home to do this, they came in of their own accord to do this!! Additionally, some people may be enjoying their large-ness. Did you know that in some cultures, being fat is good?? It signifies that your family is wealthy enough to feed you til you got fat!! BTW: congrats on your weight loss, but try to bear in mind that perhaps not all of us are interested in losing weight.

Answer 4

No. I was fat once, I lost 82 pounds. Then I missed chocolate and gained a lot back, and now my body feels gross again so I'm gonna take a bunch of it back off. It's people who whine around about being fat and looking for a magic fix that need to realizethat the problem is them and not any external circumstances. They're in denial. I was, too, for a long time, but that's something you have to work through yourself. Think why is so-and-so skinny and I'm not, even though we eat the same. Oh! She goes to the gym! Oh! So I'm the only reason I'm fat?! *shrug* I fixed it. Others can, too. It's personal choice.

Answer 5

And how hard was it to lose that excess 10 lbs? What makes me sick is how being overweight contributes to many diseases and other conditions. Yet insurance companies, who are in the perfect place to help their clients, would rather pay for doctors, drugs, and gastric bypass surgery to "cure" obesity and related illnesses but are not willing to help clients lose weight by standard means such as supervised weight loss under professional care. Make co-pays available for obese patients to see a dietrician and for a gym membership. These things might cause the obese person's health insurance premiums to rise (which is being considered anyway because of increased costs) but would encourage safe, gradual weight loss which is considered a healthier way to go than physically altering your body through surgery and all of the after effects gastric bypass produces.

Answer 6

they shouldn't be forced too, but i would like separate insurance from larger people. they refuse to take care of themselves and therefore have a TON of extra health risks and spend a time in the hospital or doctors offices trying to fix these when they could've just went on a diet and stayed thin.

being 115 lbs and in perfect health, i don't want to have to keep paying into everyone elses health issues cuz they're too stupid or lazy to make smarter decisions. same with smoking.

for people who are overweight because of thyroid issues, that is a totally different thing. that is not their fault nor would i ever criticize them for being the way they are. but for anyone who is too lazy to go out and exercise or eat right, its your own damn fault and i don't want to have to look at your disgustingly overweight body or pay into your medical bills through my insurance.

Answer 7

No, should ugly people be forced to stay at home, be real. You of all people should know how difficult it is to lose weight and keep it off. Maybe in a couple years you will feel differently.

Answer 8

No. Personally I am disgusted by the majority of fat people. However since I believe in freedom above all else, they have every right to get as fat as they like. They will have to deal with the ridicule and lack of respect that accompanies such a condition.

Answer 9

No... but should be encouraged to. Make weight loss directly tax deductible instead of it being qualified medical expense. It will help the rest of the ppl if there were less overweight folks around.. will reduce medical expenses and govt.spending on healthcare.

Answer 10

If they are comfortable with their weight then they shouldn't be forced to lose weight. I think they should be encouraged to lose weight because ut will help them to live a longer an healthier life.