why is there so much prejudice against overweight people?

Answer 1

It's the same as with really skinny people - there's prejudices with the extremes of either side of the spectrum. (maybe more with overweight people than skinny though)

Answer 2

There are prejudices against most any variety of people. All that seems to matter is that those people are different than those pre-judging.

Overweight people are often stereotyped as lazy or gluttonous. They are seen as having a lack of self control, ie a weakness. America (and most western nations) idealize the thin body. The obsession with lean celebrities has a direct influence over our view of our overweight neighbors.

However, people can be overweight for any number of reasons. Obesity is a nation's problem at this point. We need to work together instead of isolating and excluding.

Answer 3

I would think because some people thrive on making other people feel bad about themselves. I personally am about 15lbs overweight, which isn't a lot, but I've gotten more than one smirky look and whispered giggle, which I return with a bright smile and a finger... :)

The other side is some people don't realize that some of the overweight people did not choose to be this, they eat healthy, and work out, but they were born to be larger...there are the lazy people that binge eat three million times per day, but they know that it's their fault, so you can see it in the way they carry themselves.

Answer 4

Because people can be cruel. I have often wondered this myself. Fit or thin persons assume that a person is overweight due to just overeating or being lazy and in some persons this may be the case, however, depression,genetics,and health issues could be a factor as well. Beautiful people of the world are not just the "skinny" ones. Beauty is a wonderful gift that comes from within. We want world peace and equality but until we can come to terms and peace with just size matters how are we going to achieve the really important things like world peace, starving children(no, "fat" people are not taking all of their food), abuse, homeless, slavery, etc...you get the point...how are we going to find solutions to those problems, when we can't even begin to accept one another because of weight, skin color, religion preferences, etc...I really believe that any type of prejudice is due to ignorance and lack of compassion for other people, low self esteem, narcissism...Jesus says "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37(NIV) also, one of the two greatest commandments is this Jesus says "Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:31
It's about tolerance and love, and God knows we need more of both.

Answer 5

It's so true that we live in a society that tends to idolize the "thin" figure because of all the celebrities, anorexic models, diets, etc. But what some people don't understand is that many overweight individuals are like that because of genetics not because they are lazy! It can be very difficult to lose weight for some without going through surgery.

During the days of Marilyn Monroe, her figure was the "ideal" figure and she was a size 16!!! Sometimes, I wish, our society wasn't so fixated with being so thin, that's actually not very healthy at all. I think we need to embrace a healthy weight and a healthy lifestyle rather than airbrushed magazine celebs/models.

I think all that matters is feeling good about yourself...who cares what everyone else thinks...

Answer 6

Whenever I see an obese person here are the thoughts that run through my head

- They think that they are happy but they can’t be as happy as they could.
- They’re not doing anything to combat their obesity.
- Even though they’re huge, they still eat large portions of potatoes, soda, fatty foods and deserts without a second thought or guilt pang. (self gratification)
- Years from now they will be a burden on the medical community with all types of body system failures, heart and lungs, diabetes, skin irritations, cancer and much more.
- Most obese people can’t get medical insurance and the burden will fall on the rest of us.

There are those who have rare conditions that result in obesity but recent medical studies just say that the population is becoming obese because of overeating the wrong foods and the total lack of exercise due to the current American lifestyle.

Answer 7

There are more then one factor for the prejudice.

Of course there's the "health issue" but with all the media, we now can realize that it's not always "They need to go on a diet"

One that hasn't been mentioned would be the fact that American's guard their "personal space" like there's no tomorrow.

On a plane, or in the movie theater, this becomes an issue. People begin to feel that their personal space is always being violated by a heavy person. So it becomes typical to assume every heavy person with negativity.

Just like steriotypes of :
"black people always stealing" , "hispanic people always being loud and obscene" , "white blondes being dumb" "Asian people can't drive" "Skinny girls are anorexic", etc.

Answer 8

Fat people have requently been portrayed as losers and jokes in films, this helps to reinforce the idea that being fat you are dumb or weak. There are many people who take too much notice of what is put over in the media. Image is just too important today, what is on the outside is seen to reflect what's on the inside.
As for daft remarks about stealing the food out of mouths of starving Africans, I have been working in Uganda and there are no starving people there, lots of tubby people in fact.

Answer 9

I have no prejudice against fat people..or anyone for that matter. Its when I see a HUGE person walk into McDonalds, order a #3 super sized with a diet coke (yea, like thats gonna help) and then sit on there butt and complain that they are fat and need to go on a diet while stuffing thier face with calories and fatty foods.....thats what I hate.

Answer 10

People fail to realize this is the norm now. Everybody attributes it to overeating which in most cases isn't true. I stopped trying to lose weight months ago, I like me whether anyone else does or not.