Prejudice against fat people???

[Annella]

Good point marieelissa.  Also, a lot of people on food stamps buy a lot of their food at places where it's cheap.....and usually processed (Dollar stores, Food outlets, etc.).  It's sad that cooked food in the store is off limits to them, as nutritional meals can be made from....like a whole cooked chicken.  A whole cooked chicken that's been already roasted in the Supermarket is a very good value.  I buy them frequently and pay $6.99 (or less on sale) for one, sometimes two.  You can strip the meat off the bones and use it for casseroles, chicken salad, etc.  It's cheaper than buying a raw one, seasoning it, and baking it in my own oven.  

Good nutritional food isn't cheap.  It's priced high, and still going up and up.  You also have to know how to prepare food (cook from scratch).  I buy organic as much as possible.  I'm not on food stamps, and can afford quality food (organic, health food stores, etc.), my heart goes out to those who cannot.  I know there are nutritional programs at hospitals that will teach correct nutrition and they're free.  Farmers markets are great for organic fare, if your fortunate to live in an area that has them.  It's sad that the richest nation in the world still has hungry people, or people that cannot eat correctly.  I have a retirement income from working all my life, but some don't.  Our economy now is hurting so many families that can't even find work.  They have to feed their families the cheapest they can.  Food banks don't offer a lot of natural foods or produce.  Usually processed outdated varieties.

I know that there are a lot of people that just use the system to provide for them.  They stand with their hand out every month, but there are those that really need the help, like single moms.  The hardest job in the world.  Those poor women that are raising their children by themselves through no fault of their own.  Our welfare system here in California has been revamped and is still changing.  They are training women on welfare with job skills to got out and find a job.  It's slow going, but working.  I just hope there are going to be enough jobs for family providers as it is.  There's no easy answer.  

[belladonna1982]

I personally think they should. This coming from an overweight woman. It may give the person more incentive to lose weight so they can feel better about themselves because the additional weight is terrible.

[Annella]

jcribb16, I've also been on Steroid therapy because of Asthma, so I know the struggle.  Taking Prednisone was the worse time of my life.  I still have inhalers, and my solution for my Nebulizer has some steroid base in them, but when you have to go on the oral steroids, it puts weight on you faster than anything.

I took a radical move 9 years ago and now live in the mountains somewhat above the pollution ceiling.  It's made all the difference in the world.  My weight skyrocketed from Steroid intake (making me more heavier than I was).  That weight is the HARDEST to lose.  If you lost 2 lbs, that's a major achievement!

The statement about what gets injected into our mass produced food is a good point also.  Some of these "genetically" produced foods give me pause too.  You see a lot of them in Costco, in the produce section.  Grapes that are hugh and perfect looking.  The produce looks wonderful, but it's been genetically produced.  This is something I need to research more, as I don't have a reason to mistrust it........except....I do.  Anything that has been grown faster (hormones), or genetically altered to grow faster, somehow doesn't sit with me.

[AmyTrivitt]

Same against skinny people. I should know my oldest daughter & I deal with that bullshit on occasion.

[jordandog]

Same against skinny people. I should know my oldest daughter & I deal with that bullshit on occasion.

I wanted to say something about those of us who are very thin/aren't overweight and have been called names - most of which I wouldn't put on here. I was a bit afraid to because I actually felt a little guilty. It's not my fault I was born to be tall and have a high metabolism. Of course, I have always eaten healthy and am constantly on the move, unless sitting here at my computer. I give credit to all who are trying or have lost weight. If the day ever comes that I DO have to diet, I honestly don't know if I could handle it. Huge kudos to all of you who do!

[queenofnines]

I wanted to say something about those of us who are very thin/aren't overweight and have been called names - most of which I wouldn't put on here.

I have one!  One of the sh*ttiest things a person ever said to me came from my uncle on my dad's side.  It was Christmastime several years ago and we were all getting food in a kind of potluck family-style.  My uncle noticed I had a normal amount of food on my plate and said in a laughing way, "I thought you were supposed to be anorexic."  !!!  Sooo insensitive and ignorant.

[jordandog]

queen,
I can't tell you how many times I was 'accused' of being anorexic and/or bulemic! I would often eat more than my brothers did and it got to a point when I was young that I wouldn't even go into the bathroom until at least an hour had passed so everyone wouldn't think I was in there purging. How crazy (and sad) is that?!

[AmyTrivitt]

I wanted to say something about those of us who are very thin/aren't overweight and have been called names - most of which I wouldn't put on here.

I have one!  One of the sh*ttiest things a person ever said to me came from my uncle on my dad's side.  It was Christmastime several years ago and we were all getting food in a kind of potluck family-style.  My uncle noticed I had a normal amount of food on my plate and said in a laughing way, "I thought you were supposed to be anorexic."  !!!  Sooo insensitive and ignorant.

When my oldest daughter was merely seven her teacher and counselor had a set down with me about her eating so much but not gaining a pound. I was so dumbfounded. I told them that many kids who have the ability to run and play outside do so. My kids are not the type to set inside. I could not believe that this was pushed upon by the school. I took my daughter to her doctor which thankfully has been her doctor since birth and she had wrote a very powerful letter to the school including her allergies towards food, my no junk food policy at school which stems from how her doctor said "good parenting" and the fact that she is very active. The school still sends home BMI charts but they always put now that she is borderline healthy. Even her doctor said its a joke the school does this crap to kids which is really just hurting their self esteem!! Big or thin everyone has feelings!!

[shernajwine]

well my ex mother in law is severely underweight. she has medical problems that keep her from gaining weight and also she was born with a high metabolism and very slim features so she would never be fat. but people look at her outrageously almost as much as the look at huge people. so i know it goes both ways.  it just irks me that people (and we are talking about adults here) don't have more compassion on people who suffer from weight or any thing else that has to do with what a person looks like!

i was at the grocery store and there was a man in line that had been a burn victim and basically had half a normal face. one side of his head was patchy with hair cuz it didn't grow in all the scar tissue. he was very polite and kind but he was being stared at like he was a monster  it made me want to just hug him and tell him he was beautiful!

[ElleRich]

A FAT TAX?  I totally disagree with that. But we are all entitled to our opinions.  I was once morbidly obese.  I tried just about every diet that was available at the time. I would lose weight for awhile, then get off track and go back to my old ways.  In 2001, I made the choice after being educated, and passing all the necessary medical exams and blood tests, to have a roux-en-y gastric bypass. I was nearly 300 lbs and knew from my family history that I would die at a young age if I did not lose the weight.  I attended a seminar and did much research on it.  I knew it was right for me.  I went from a size 26 in ladies clothing to a size 6-8 in 18 months. I had a positive attitude and set a goal for life.  I followed the regimen and exercised as was part of the regimen.  I regained my life.  Did I get off the track?  Yes I did for about 3-4 years. I put on 40 lbs.  Then I reflected on what I had changed.  I went back to my post op eating plan complete with daily exercise and have lost all of my weight again and feel great.  When I was a child, growing up in the 60's and 70's, there were few restaurants.  Now, they are all over the place and for the most part, society is eating junk. Dollar menus, supersized meals full of fat and sugar and the list goes on. I read an article last night that 42% of Americans are obese. Doesn't this send a message?  Corporate America is supporting this issue. Look at TV commercials. Read the coupon section in your local newspaper  It's so easy to go through a drive through and buy lunch or dinner after a long day's work.  Choices need to be revaluated and we are all responsible for our choices. Say yes to awareness of nutrition and exercise. Get fit and regain your health.  I have been asked if I have ever regretted having my gastric bypass surgery.  My answer is that if absolutely NOT!  I made the commitment and regained my health back.  Awareness is the key. Yes, I do understand that most do not need or want to go through the surgery and that ok too. But it is one of several options and it just was the option that worked for me. Take care and live each day to its fullest, Elle

[roguetodd]

a fat tax? that seems pretty insensitive and ignorant to me. whats next? a brown eyed tax?

sure obesity is partially contributed to by genes, but there is always ways to get around it without using the cop out of "its my genes."

if you have that state of mind your already determining yourself to remain the way that you are.

[bulldog755]

What makes me angry is poor trashy families who feed there kids fastfood for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even if your low on $$ you can still buy healthy food.


That being said obese adults can help it, but children for the most part cannot.

[amyrouse]

If you are broke, you can buy healthy food to a point.  Processed foods are so much cheaper than fresh whole foods...and easier to make.  When you're on your feet for 8 hours a day working for minimum wage, you don't want to stand for another hour cooking something fresh from scratch.

I buy my vegetables flash frozen without any preservatives, but when it comes to fresh fruit and vegetables, you're making a trip to the grocery store every few days.  The fewer trips to the store, the more money you will save.  It is very hard to eat healthy on a budget. 

Plus, if you don't have any money to go out anywhere, you're going to be tempted while sitting at home watching Jerry Springer to pass the time to eat your save-a-lot dollar Cheetos.  I refuse to buy snack foods like potato chips or cookies to keep at our home.  We don't have the finances to venture out, so I'm not going to have temptation calling in the form of a bag of Lays from the kitchen...that's only for special occasions. 

[roseann0325]

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?

what ever ur appearance accept it cause God given us life...

[workmama]

What about skinny people? Last year I lost a lot of weight and I started to get comments, like, " You're TOO skinny now!"....I think its just the same as being overweight because what people call you can really gear you up for an eating disorder in which I now believe that I might have, since everyday is about how many calories I am going to consume. So I think it is sad either way.  :-