Prejudice against fat people???

[shernajwine]

I read a blog recently where the question was asked "should fat people pay more taxes"

I quote a man who refers to himself as SkinnyMan from KY
WELL, SHOULDNT THEY? THEY CONSUME MORE RESOURCES,AND THEY ARE AN EYESORE ON THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. I SAY ALL US THIN PEOPLE SHOULD TRY AND PASS A "FAT TAX". AFTER ALL, THEY ARE EATING MORE, DOING LESS, AND RAISING EVERYONES HEALTH INSURSANCE RATES WITH THEIR CLOTTED ARTERIES ANDDOUBLE BYPASSES. PLUS WE SHOULD GET A TAX BREAK JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THEIR DISGUSTING FAT BODIES.IT IS TIME FOR THE PIGS TO PAY A PIG TAX. MAYBE THAT WOULD GIVE THEM SOME INCENTIVE TO SLIM DOWN, OR AT LEAST GIVE THE REST OF US WHO HAVE TO LOOK AT THEIR HUGE BUTTS A TAX BREAK. WHOS WITH ME?

Although this person was probably just trying to bait people into an argument, it's not really that unusual for overweight people to be discriminated against.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/2008/03/31/36791.aspx

Discrimination against overweight people - particularly women - is as common as racial discrimination, according to a study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University.

what do ya think? have you seen this kind of discrimination or been discriminated against for your weight...or any aspect of your appearance for that matter?

[queenofnines]

I don't agree with the way "SkinnyMan" worded his argument, but I do agree the rest of America should not have to pay for people who don't take care of themselves.

[shernajwine]

i was overweight from elementary school. i was called thunder thighs, shamoo, any name dealing with being fat, i was probably called it.

we grew up eating Mediterranean types of food because my dad is middle eastern. our diet was not woefully unhealthy. yet i ended up along with all my siblings to be overweight. i think for anyone that thinks fat people are fat because they did it to themselves should read this article.

http://www.newsweek.com/2009/09/09/the-real-cause-of-obesity.html

Modern medical science has gone a long way toward explaining the causes of obesity, and the bottom line is clear: obesity is not a personal choice. The obese are so primarily as a result of their genes.

it has taken me quite some time but through a lot of exercise and drinking meal replacement shakes twice a day. i'm close to my goal weight!

 

[bhubbs89]

This is kind of a personal issue. If your fat just lose the weight. Big deal. Just stop having so many twinkies!

[jcribb16]

   I know that many overweight people could do something to help themselves. But there are those overweight ones who have health issues, including thyroid problems.  Some thinner people judge "a book by its cover," and that is wrong.  You never know what someone is going through.  It may also involve heredity. It would be quite interesting if that thin man listed above has a weight issue hit him one day.
  An example of something one of my children went through when in middle school: he has rheumetoid arthritis in his ankles and in his eyes.  He's worn glasses since a young child. His lenses were thicker than normal (we actually started paying more for the "thin" kind so they didn't look so thick). This one classmate gave our son a fit about "4 eyes" and "coca cola eyes." Well, after the summer break, guess who came back to school wearing glasses?!!  His weren't as thick, but he was upset that he even had to wear glasses.  He even apologized to our son about what he had done and said.
    

[Falconer02]

should fat people pay more taxes

Well don't they already? I mean...as far as food consumption goes...

I also dont agree with how crazy skinnyman presented his post. But he does make some interesting points. I'm not sure if this is certainly discrimination unless you're incapable of taking care of yourself. But even then that variable is hard to discern.

The thing with our culture is we're really pushing for acceptance of 100% material-characteristics rather than physical-characteristics. "Does he have a good job?" "Where does he go to school?" "Where does he live?". This is fine and dandy but there's no concentration on well-being. I've seen a lot of 'stay in shape' ideas fail with people because they rarely stick with it. So we need to put a hardcore emphasis on these things or I fear we'll turn out like the people presented in Wall-E. Putting a tax on 'fatness' or a tax-break on staying in shape may be an interesting incentive for people to take care of themselves. I'm not sure if I'd be for it. I'd like to hear more peoples ideas first.

Also I think once the zombies attack, fat people are going to be the first to die so....
http://tf2wiki.net/w/images/a/ac/Scout_dominationhvy08.wav

This one classmate gave our son a fit about "4 eyes"

I always thought this was one of the most idiotic retorts of all time. Tell him 4 eyes are better than 2. Also tell him to never hit a guy with glasses. He should use his fists.

it has taken me quite some time but through a lot of exercise and drinking meal replacement shakes twice a day. i'm close to my goal weight!

Nice work, soldier!

[FuzzyCottonsocks]

My HS issues had to do with racist classmates more than anything else. There was a guy that I only hung out with once and he HATED "fat people."  He made a comment about a certain buffet and how he never ate there because seeing all the fat people made him want to vomit, etc.  Big turn off.  I have never been overweight, but that made me feel like he only cared about physical appearance. 

[queenofnines]

"the bottom line is clear: obesity is not a personal choice. The obese are so primarily as a result of their genes."

I wholeheartedly disagree!  I'm going to sound like a horrible person by saying this, but I think most obese people who blame it on their genes use it as an excuse.  In almost all cases, being overweight is the direct result of a person's LIFESTYLE (whether they were raised that way or became obese later in life).  We know this because the trend of obesity is going up in America as convenience foods and activities requiring little exercise become the norm.  

We've all seen incredible weight loss stories (The Biggest Loser, anyone?) where all it took is the person finally getting their stuff together and adopting healthy habits.  I think genes play a small role in terms of how fast your metabolism is, how easily you can put on muscle, and things like that -- but all this means is that some people have to work a bit harder to stay in shape than others.

The truth is, fast food tastes better than beans and rice, exercise takes discipline, and people can be very weak when it comes to ridding themselves of their destructive habits.  While it's a person's "right" to live a lifestyle that sustains obesity, the rest of America shouldn't have to pay for that person's health bills when they inevitably inherit the diseases that are associated with their unhealthy lifestyle.

[shernajwine]

well i never used my genes as an excuse but it doesn't change the fact that genetics played a part in my struggle with weight. my daughter got lucky and got her dad's genes where weight is concerned. she may grow up and have an unhealthy lifestyle (where nutrition is concerned) but she will never struggle with weight.

i agree that people who are obese do not have to stay that way. but because it is harder to obtain and maintain a healthy lifestyle with a predisposition to pack on the fat.....people give up due to low self esteem and lack of emotional support from people around them. being obese and facing the discrimination of being overweight causes psychological issues that cause depression and stress. stress in itself causes a hormone to increase that furthers weight gain!! it's a vicious cycle.

i don't think americans should have to pay for people being "fat" per say but its more concerning that people face discrimination and prejudice and ridicule for something that starts with a genetic predisposition to be overweight.

[queenofnines]

i don't think americans should have to pay for people being "fat" per say but its more concerning that people face discrimination and prejudice and ridicule for something that starts with a genetic predisposition to be overweight.

Again, is it really that much of a genetic predisposition, though?  Or does it have more to do with the fact that we're not living in small tribes anymore where food is scarce?  Most people are not toiling the farms (burning calories) to produce their wares...  If there was really something significant to this genetic claim, then why do we not see people looking like Arnold naturally?  We don't because it takes HARD WORK to look like a body builder...just like it's going to take HARD WORK to undo a lazy lifestyle.  But it can be done.

Another thing to consider is that we don't give alcoholics a free pass just because they may be genetically pre-disposed to like the taste of alcohol!  In most cases, it boils down to a choice.

While I don't think a person should be cruel to an obese person and get in their face and call them names, it is not a lifestyle that should be passively supported or just "tolerated"!!!

[queenofnines]

Fat people Tax. So let's see, if you loose weight then you are good to go?

Nah, it would probably be like taxing all of the junk food or something.

[shernajwine]

i don't think americans should have to pay for people being "fat" per say but its more concerning that people face discrimination and prejudice and ridicule for something that starts with a genetic predisposition to be overweight.

Again, is it really that much of a genetic predisposition, though?  Or does it have more to do with the fact that we're not living in small tribes anymore where food is scarce?  Most people are not toiling the farms (burning calories) to produce their wares...  If there was really something significant to this genetic claim, then why do we not see people looking like Arnold naturally?  We don't because it takes HARD WORK to look like a body builder...just like it's going to take HARD WORK to undo a lazy lifestyle.  But it can be done.

Another thing to consider is that we don't give alcoholics a free pass just because they may be genetically pre-disposed to like the taste of alcohol!  In most cases, it boils down to a choice.

While I don't think a person should be cruel to an obese person and get in their face and call them names, it is not a lifestyle that should be passively supported or just "tolerated"!!!

well i think it's more to do with genetics in some cases, but i agree with you on the rest. and i'm definitely 100% for educating people about nutrition. there is loads of misinformation out there and if people better understood what certain foods did to their bodies they could make better decisions about what to eat.

i guess i'm just more sympathetic to their plight because of having been obese and understanding the psychological part of it. i have also been an alcoholic and i can relate to the psychological part of that too 

i have been through a lot in my 30 years lol

[queenofnines]

i have been through a lot in my 30 years lol

Sounds like it!  But hey, if we can get through our challenges, we come out all the stronger!   

[shernajwine]

i have been through a lot in my 30 years lol

Sounds like it!  But hey, if we can get through our challenges, we come out all the stronger!   

oh absolutely! 

[Annella]

Obesity.....at least some of it, is hereditary.  In my family, it's been true.  That doesn't mean you can't be the best you can be.  It does take some hard work, and a willingness to rise above what's stacked against you (like the gene link).  It can be done.  I've lost 53 lbs. so far, and going for my last 30.  I've tried every diet in the book, the answer is good nutrition and a lifestyle change to eating how and what.  It's taken almost 10 months so far, but I'll keep it off.  My eating habits will never be the same.  Everybody has to find what works for them.  The young lady that drank the protein drinks worked for her......good.  It would have never worked for me, but proper nutrition works for everybody.  However, not everybody eats the same portions, or foods.  It's finding what works for you.  Not just until you get the weight off, but for the rest of your life.  Your body will stop losing weight when it reaches it's proper mass.  Then the rest is just maintaining.  Something your body pretty much helps you do anyway.  Sometimes 140 lbs. for a woman 5' 6" is an ideal weight.  Sometimes not.  I don't believe much in weight charts, as everyone is different.  I did follow a plan that's been around for a long time with the best clinical trials.  It works for me.