Not sure what's more annoying....

alyssamiller77

So I saw this article on MSN this morning and it's really annoying me. However, what I find even more annoying are many of the comments following the article. Basically the article talks about prejudice against obese people. And while I don't agree with judging or discriminating against people, we should absolutely be prejudiced against obesity itself. Am I the only one that's tired of the increasing level of acceptance of obesity in this country? Or more frustrating than that to me is the lack of responsibility people take for their own eating habits that most often lead to this condition. I hope I'm not alone in that.

I seriously respect the people here on MFP who've made a decision to improve their health (regardless of what size you started from). I really wish more Americans could find the resolve and motivation to do the same. But just as putting people down or discriminating against them does nothing to help them out, I fear the more we simply just accept obesity from a social level, the less people are going to be motivated to do anything to improve their condition.

http://fitbie.msn.com/2011/09/26/do-americans-hate-fat-people-fight-prejudice-against-overweight?gt1=50002

richiedbond

Very well said, I totally agree.

MikeSEA

I think the most frustrating thing is that people tend to generalize inappropriately. Sometimes people equate "don't discriminate against the obese" as "coddle obese people and give them excuses." As you point out, they're different stances completely; they just happen to both involve obesity.

martinbeks

A few years back a "frenemy" told me during a bout of attempted weight loss that I should be proud of being a big beautiful woman. I hate that phrase. Because when I see big, I don't see beautiful. I see extreme health problems that need to be taken care of. My grandmother was one of the greatest, most beautiful women I've ever met, but she was grossly obese for my entire life. In the end, her weight is what killed her. I want to see people who respect their bodies enough to take care of them. Being thin doesn't matter to me, but being healthy and at the top of my "game" (whatever that might be) is what is most important.

bethdris

I agree. The price of healthcare is NUTS, and just getting worse. I know local hospitals have told all their employees that they have 2yrs to quit smoking, or they will not have a job. Being that no one will be a smoker employed by them, their health ins costs will go down greatly. I wonder how long it will take for such places to do the same with obese employees?

I find it stunning how many drs, are over weight but preach healthy diets, etc!

kyylieeeeee

I think the quote from this article that REALLY made me angry was this: "What’s true is that, if weight loss could be attained by strength of effort and willpower, I would have been rail thin 40 years ago."

I think everyone here can agree that strength of effort and willpower are exactly what you need to be healthy, and it seems to me that most of the people on MFP have attained weight loss through those very things. This quote is myopic and misleading; it makes me think that the person who said this quote has never given one serious effort towards weight loss. Because strength of effort and willpower to start exercising and make healthy-eating decisions is all one needs to attain weight loss.

healthy_KT

I think rather than coddling people, they need to be given more information. No, it is not healthy to be overweight and yes everyone has the power to change. What America should be doing is putting plans in place to help people. They are already starting with the children. Cafeterias are becoming healthier and even Nickelodeon and Disney have commercials about playing outside. Every so often they even turn off their programming and tell children to go outside. We need programs in place for adults as well. Programs that teach them how to eat better and exercise. I know they can find it all online but most people aren't willing to look. And a lot of the programs available such as weight watchers are too expensive.

wildman51

Because strength of effort and willpower to start exercising and make healthy-eating decisions is all one needs to attain weight loss.

ROGER THAT!

My1985Freckles

Because strength of effort and willpower to start exercising and make healthy-eating decisions is all one needs to attain weight loss.

ROGER THAT!

Amen!

cramernh

My dermatologist ran into a situation with a patient.... (he never shared any personal identification with me, fyi)
Mind you, I absolutely LOVE my dermatologist - very kind, soft spoken and he is definitely a guy who doesnt beat-around-the-bush...

His patient was seeing him for hair growth where it didnt belong. She was also 300lbs overweight and had a history of extremely heavy/painful monthly periods.

He did the usual obtain-the-pt's history and then asked her if she had been currently on any weightloss plans with her primary care physician - which is a question HE HAS TO ASK!!!!!

The patient became belligerent, vocal and downright nasty with him (the nurse had to come in to help calm her down)... the patient automatically accused him of being insensitive and being unprofessional.. yadda yadda yadda.... she reported him to the Medical Board of Ethics over the whole 'are you on any weight loss plans with your PCP" question!!! GIVE ME A BREAK!??!?!

He said that each time he asks a patient this question, he worries because... despite the effort of being a doctor is always a good one, you just dont know how well it will go - like for example, that one patient.

He had thanked me for not being so sensitive about it when he asked me... I told him that 'hell, I know Im overweight - this PCOS has messed with me for a long time and I cant seem to find anyone who knows how to help me! Why the hell would I yell at you??? You have been so kind to me!!!"

I told this doctor that I would WILLINGLY go with him if the Medical Board wishes to investigate the complaint..... I dont want to see this wonderful doctor get a red flag on his record for DOING HIS JOB!!!!!

Besides - this dermatologist was the person who diagnosed me with something else that no one could ever find.... I have a condition called Metabolic X Syndrome, and he is also treating me for alopecia (which I am WINNING!) The man's diagnosing me with X on top of my PCOS and Alopecia helped me find an open door to an Endocrinologist who specializes in BOTH of my current diagnoses.... and Im on the road to getting better and losing weight.... Youre damn RIGHT Im defending that Dermatologist from that rediculous patient who just didnt want to deal with a simple question!

MikeSEA

I think rather than coddling people, they need to be given more information. No, it is not healthy to be overweight and yes everyone has the power to change. What America should be doing is putting plans in place to help people. They are already starting with the children. Cafeterias are becoming healthier and even Nickelodeon and Disney have commercials about playing outside. Every so often they even turn off their programming and tell children to go outside. We need programs in place for adults as well. Programs that teach them how to eat better and exercise. I know they can find it all online but most people aren't willing to look. And a lot of the programs available such as weight watchers are too expensive.

I don't know how much of it is education, though. What you're suggesting sounds sort of similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, which works for some but not all. In fact, to those for whom it doesn't work, it's downright insulting. I think people just need to be honest with themselves and the people they love. A dash of compassion is always nice too If someone doesn't have the motivation they need to get healthier, then they should be prepared for consequences. If any education is required, it might trying to help people realize what they're giving up by not being motivated.

HMonsterX

I know local hospitals have told all their employees that they have 2yrs to quit smoking, or they will not have a job.

I'd tell them where to stick it! They have no right telling you want you can or cannot do in your personal time. I'd just sue them for unfair dismissal!

hellokehtty

I think the quote from this article that REALLY made me angry was this: "What’s true is that, if weight loss could be attained by strength of effort and willpower, I would have been rail thin 40 years ago."

I think everyone here can agree that strength of effort and willpower are exactly what you need to be healthy, and it seems to me that most of the people on MFP have attained weight loss through those very things. This quote is myopic and misleading; it makes me think that the person who said this quote has never given one serious effort towards weight loss. Because strength of effort and willpower to start exercising and make healthy-eating decisions is all one needs to attain weight loss.

This. Exactly.

And also, I'm not sure if education is the answer to the "obesity epidemic"...I mean, I'm pretty sure that people know that eating and drinking tons of junk for a long period of time will cause problems. It's like trying to stop someone's drug addiction by educating them about drugs. They know drugs are bad! It's more than education, it's application.

CJK1959

I think rather than coddling people, they need to be given more information. No, it is not healthy to be overweight and yes everyone has the power to change. What America should be doing is putting plans in place to help people. They are already starting with the children. Cafeterias are becoming healthier and even Nickelodeon and Disney have commercials about playing outside. Every so often they even turn off their programming and tell children to go outside. We need programs in place for adults as well. Programs that teach them how to eat better and exercise. I know they can find it all online but most people aren't willing to look. And a lot of the programs available such as weight watchers are too expensive.

I agree that education is important in the fight against obesity, especially childhood obesity, but I find it more disturbing that people fail to be accountable for decisions they make in their lives. I know that I am the only one who is responsible for the state of my weight and I am the only one who can change it....through determination and strength of will. People in this country want to blame anyone and everyone else for their problems without ever considering who is really in charge of their lives. Parents need to take charge of their children and adults need to be accountable and responsible for the choices they make.

bcattoes

You are not the only one.

armymil

Because strength of effort and willpower to start exercising and make healthy-eating decisions is all one needs to attain weight loss.

I agree!

I'm overweight and been over weight for 7-8 years. I was borderline in school. I recently researched and researched about food and exercise and found out all the details that was so hard to comprehend. I'd start reading a site before that would say one thing and then another would out that idea.

I'd hate to see this thread into an anti-fat people thread which it could be going there. Sure lets not baby the over weight but let's not out them either. Some just don't have the knowledge.

Now, the ones that make me angry is the stubborn ones. We can out them.

greatdaneaddict

Definitely agree with original post!

cramernh

I know local hospitals have told all their employees that they have 2yrs to quit smoking, or they will not have a job.

I'd tell them where to stick it! They have no right telling you want you can or cannot do in your personal time. I'd just sue them for unfair dismissal!

The company I work for sends out a notice to everyone signing up for benefits that "if you are a smoker, or use smoke-related products, your premiums are 20% higher than the non-smoking plans".... they go into detail the why-it-is-higher and state that if you are in the middle of a cessation program, you need to submit proof so you dont have to pay the higher premium. Then the insurance demands records for each visit to prove you are still in that program and participating.

We work in a food-related environment and to encourage non-smoking is actually smart.

The problem with smoking is that it has been proven to cost more in healthcare services (respiratory/circulatory related) where you are basically contaminating your lungs with products that induce medical problems.

If people lie on their benefit application saying they dont smoke, when in fact they do... once that medical claim goes in for payment, and they see the diagnosis come in with something smoking-related, that patient's claim gets denied, potential loss of benefits (considered fraud)(because of how the contract was drawn up with the company), and if they do keep their insurance, they pay a penalty AND the higher premium for lying on the application.

bcattoes

I agree. The price of healthcare is NUTS, and just getting worse. I know local hospitals have told all their employees that they have 2yrs to quit smoking, or they will not have a job. Being that no one will be a smoker employed by them, their health ins costs will go down greatly. I wonder how long it will take for such places to do the same with obese employees?

I find it stunning how many drs, are over weight but preach healthy diets, etc!

Yeah, I work with a few of those doctors, and even more nurses who are overweight. One Internal Medicine doctor on our staff, who has steadily gone from overweight to morbidly obese in the years I've known him, admits that he tells his patients "do as a I say and not as I do".

paladeac

I saw commercials for a new show following young, obese women in New York (one of whom was a plus size model.) The promo was very much in your face, "We're big and beautiful and you're going to have to deal with it." It made me very sad.

I don't want them to feel shame for their weight, but it's just plain denial to say, "this is a great lifestyle."

armymil

It's like trying to stop someone's drug addiction by educating them about drugs. They know drugs are bad! It's more than education, it's application.

How can you know how to drive without some education?

Some people need intervention because food makes them happy. It tastes good and those bad carbs make them feel good. If one was raised like this around bad food or like my mom's southern food, you don't think much about it. Junk food is so easy to obtain and healthy food cost (i dont know twice as much?) a lot more. For some people, it is easier and cheaper to prepare box meals or order out. Sometimes only one in the relationship wants to change and their loved one doesnt want to. So they have to prepare meals to suit them both. They can't cook 2 meals because they can't afford that.

I think most people if a clinic were to exist (say biggest loser for everyone) they could take people for 1 month to teach them proper eatting habits and reshaping their mind. Possibly give them education lessons for them to take tests and for a 100% give them a free meal or something. Who knows. Someone take that and make it happen.

But its not "put down the fork, fattie" but rather, "this is why you need to put down the fork." Since my fiancee and I are overweight, we've heard for the millionth time about heart disease and everything else. It gets to be a nag. But, nothing opened my eyes more than a little education and finding out how easy it was. Overcoming the first few days of my diet was the hardest.