Why is it more socially acceptable to look down on alcoholics and drug addicts, than obese people.?

Question

I understand that a small percentage of obese people have glandular, and other medical issues that makes them obese, and have nothing to do with overeating. Those are not the obese people I am reffering to. So please leave them out.
It seams that if you even bring up the obese issue with people, and try to discuss possible solutions to this ever growing problem (pardon the pun). People call you mean, and insensitive! Though you try to open a dialog with someone on how to solve this countries drug addict problem and everyone has an opinion and nobody is conserned about insensitivity.

Answer 1

Probably partly because what is "fat" is so subjective. Someone may be just chubby, but perfectly healthy, and looked down upon by someone else for being "fat". Other people may appear to not be obese, but have a body-fat % that indicates that they ARE obese. However, if I see a person who is 5'4" and 220 pounds ordering something supersized at McDonalds, it is very difficult for me to hold my tongue.

And I don't agree that obese people don't have a choice. Some don't - some have medical problems. But the majority just don't have the knowledge, the discipline, or both, to lose weight and be healthy.

E.g.
1. My mom thinks that there is no way she can lose weight when she drinks a soda every morning.
2. People think that bagels are healthy (they are packed with calories).
3. I see tons of people who eat practically nothing all day and then have a greasy meal of fast food for dinner - which is a one way ticket to slowing your metabolism down.
4. Plenty of people at my work think walking up two flights of stairs is a good workout for the day.
5. People think that if they just do sit ups their stomach will magically get skinny while the rest of their body stays the same.
6. Many, MANY meals that people eat when out to dinner are over 1000 calories, which is over half of the amount of calories that a person should be eating a day.

Answer 2

Sorry, but I think you're wrong about that. I don't think people are oversensitive when it comes to talking about weight issues and obesity. Hell, Oprah has an on-going weight challenge on her show right now, and The Biggest Loser is doing pretty well in the ratings. And diet books practically fly off the shelves. Every magazine on the shelves is trying to tell you how to lose weight. I think what people have a problem with is insensitivity toward obese people. Calling someone "fatso" or "tub of lard" is not the same as sensitively discussing obesity. And I don't really see how anyone is being insensitive toward anyone by discussing how to combat this country's drug problem. Although food addiction and drug/alcohol addiction can stem from the same place, I would argue that drugs have had much more of a damaging impact on society as a whole.

Answer 3

Because drug and alcohol addiction is a conscientious choice. You just don't get hooked on these substances by walking down the street. Obese people usually have other emotional issues leading to the overeating and since food isn't illegal, people have a different reaction to the problem. In America there are way to many ways to get those extra calories in a day. If you are a little weak controlling your urges you splurge and pretty soon you are obese, as many Americans are. Drug addicts and food addicts are two similar yet quite different problems. Hopefully we can gain control of both.

Answer 4

I don't feel like it should be acceptable to "look down on" anyone; alcoholics, addicts or obese people. When you think about it, they all have underlying issues that they need to deal with but they cover it up with drugs, food, or alcohol. I feel they are in the same boat and society discriminates each of them equally.

Answer 5

Because you can't tell the difference between a person with an eating disorder vs. someone who is just obese for a medical reason.

Drug addicts are drug addicts because they chose to explore a negative venue for escape.

Note that I do not look down on drug addicts, I want to help them. They have to want to help themselves first.

Answer 6

I don't think it's acceptable to look down on anyone, but alcohol and drug is more of a problem within society, whereas obesity is an individual problem. Things that alter or corrupt an individual's frame of mind should be avoided. People can control whether they're going to shoot up, snort, drink or whatever, or pay the rent and electric bill. Obese people don't have a choice.

Answer 7

I was going to give you the long answer but after thinking about it for a while I realized you just have a problem with fat people. You probably always will. I feel sorry for you if you can not see the difference between these choices.

It would be socially acceptable to judge people by their character. I have never seen weight make a difference in a persons character.

Answer 8

I understand what you are saying. All in all, it's a self control issue for anyone with an addiction. But drugs and alcohol can harm other people. People who are obese can still function in society without harming other people.

Answer 9

I always wondered this myself, too. Even people who smoke cigarettes sometimes get chatised out loud and in front of other people, but its not acceptable to do the same thing to an obese person. why?? i don't know why. probably because food is something we all eat (unlike drugs, which we aren't supposed to do) so it gets confusing.

and when people say that obesity is a problem for an individual, its not. think about the health care system.

Answer 10

I don't look down on anyone or at least I try not to..Every person has his/her own issues...we really can't judge people without knowing their circumstances =)
Thank you and have a great day!
Cheerio!