Ugh, The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance

Lozze

So, let's NOT teach our children that they are failures if they gain a little weight. Let's NOT teach our children that it's OK to make fun of overweight people because they "did it to themselves". And kudos to not having this disgusting exhibit shown to kids in what's supposed to be a happy place!

Thank you! The amount of privilege in this post is horrifying. Great, you teach your kids healthy habits. That means YOU'VE been taught healthy habits to pass on. (and why you don't need to lose weight yourself....) People talk about their kids doing organized activities their kids do. That cost a lot of money. That people who are living below the poverty line don't have. Or that there are food deserts where fresh food can't be brought within a 5 mile radius. Or that going out and exercising might not be even safe.

If you want to help people stop shaming them. It doesn't work. Start offering solutions like how to get healthier foods to people at a cheaper cost or having classes in schools to teach this stuff.

Mamakatspokane

I read this article today and thought the same thing!

drmerc

Today I learned I'm not fat, I'm higher body weight

Kayla165

Yeah, they really do care, that's why their parks are loaded with deep fried fatty foods, funnel cakes, corn dogs, ice cream, etc...maybe they can start there and then move on from that!

Honestly, I liked the idea of it, but I also understand not "villianizing" fat people. It's the fat and habits we want to get rid of, not the people! I think there was a better way to do this one!

Right on!

michellebd1980

As a morbidly obese woman who is getting her health goals on track, I really wish they had something like this back in the late 80s when I started to pile on the pounds. This would be an excellent tool to help children understand that what they eat and whether or not they exercise has consequences. Fat acceptance, ummmmm WOW!

Lozze

As a morbidly obese woman who is getting her health goals on track, I really wish they had something like this back in the late 80s when I started to pile on the pounds. This would be an excellent tool to help children understand that what they eat and whether or not they exercise has consequences. Fat acceptance, ummmmm WOW!

I knew it. Got told it all the time. Still piled on the pounds.

I also exercised every day of the week. Even at my biggest I was walking every day. It's the stereotype that all fat people don't exer use that is one if the harmful ones.

lilojoke

How abotu someone create a National Association to teach better eating habits!

AHH Yes... This would be so cruel to do because in all honesty personal responsibility is where the obesity problem lies we blame environment which is a good excuse to stay fat, we blame our genetics but yet we often include that those controlling our countries... Do they really want us healthier people as a whole? I mean if that were the case they would not make money!

In my opinion there are better ways to do this.

I don't mean to be mean or anything but how about a Biggest Loser style camp for communities thats FREE with resources to actually help people get out of their fat shells?

sabinecbauer

The National Association to Advance WHAT?!? :noway:

Holy crap! And here's me thinking assisted suicide was illegal in most states :ohwell:

WanderingMe

I was a fat kid that was lazy with poor eating habits. I could have used something like this as a kid, to help me understand the consequences of what I was doing to my body. As a child, you dont understand things like that.

newcraft

Based on the little of the quoted text, it sounds like the exhibit was doing at least two things. The first is painting thin people as heroic. The second was vilifying (literally) certain behaviors, like snacking.

So you have a group of kids seeing this and they see the thinner people as heros and the fat people as villains. It's creating this potentially false conclusion that you can determine how lazy someone is or isn't by how thin or fit they appear to be.

I don't usually agree with this association's outcries, but I think they have a point here.

The problem isn't with the idea of an exhibit - I'm all for that. But why did they give them such rotten names? Will Power as the hero? Has anyone made life-changing habit changes from will power alone? And a vilian named Lead Bottom?

I know exactly how I would feel as an obese 12-year old looking at that. It would make me feel like I was abnormal, and I'd seek solace in my refrigerator at home, it wouldn't motivate me to be healthy. Why demonize it? Why not just have heroes demonstrating the good habits so ALL kids, regardless of where they're currently at, can identify with healthy and realistic?

It just seems like a great idea, poorly executed. I can't speak for the rest of the world, but as an obese 12-yr-old I was already aware that I had habits that needed to change. I find it strange that adults are speaking as though they weren't aware, as if this were a new thing - it was all over the school curriculum in the 70's/80's, continues today. What kids need is real-world positive reinforcement. Show them they can do it one step at a time, don't make it look like something only superheroes can accomplish.

How about a Percey Verance? A Susie-Stick-With-It? Those are the people who really walk the talk.

sexforjaffacakes

I think it says far too much about the American education system that Disney world think it's their place to teach kids about healthy food...

Also, yeah, teaching kids about healthy food and habits is great, but demonizing fat kids is bs. It goes either two ways in my experience, they either get depressed and lethargic and turn to food, or they develop an obsession/unhealthy relationship with food/possibly eating disorders out of desperation to fit in, and fit in quickly! Teaching kids in a positive way about healthy food and exercise is the way to go, without the emphasis being on body size- that'll fall into place naturally when the kids get healthy!

Also, the fat acceptance people can be pretty ridiculous, because no it shouldn't be acceptable to be unhealthy through personal choice, whether that's heorin, smoking, alcoholism, or overeating, but I think they are right when they say that discrimination against fat people is unacceptable. Why should you care about someone elses body? It doesn't make them a better/worse person. Discriminating against someone for their size is wrong, and societies hatred of fat people is wrong. There's a difference between trying to get peopleto be healthy, and treating them as second class citizens because they're not perfect.

m60kaf

Doctors say obesity can sometimes be attributed to genetics and certain medications, and food can be used as a coping mechanism.

I HATE this kind of argument and it would annoy me even more if I was a fat person through ill health. Maybe if the other 99.9% of obese people who have no self control, get whatever they want and blame everyone else for it happening weren't fat the small number of people fat through ill health would be accepted for just that.

What we are seeing here isn't even political correctness - it's the $, who goes to a park and spends a lot of money ... fat people!

Healthy people pay the entrance fee and seek out the strenuous activities.

chrishgt4

I really don't get he outrage.

They are using the fact that some people have illnesses which make them gain weight as one of the main points behind their argument, but this is a small proportion when compared to the amount who simply eat unhealthily and have poor portion control.

People are asking why Disney think it's their place to educate children. Why do you have an issue with education coming from outside of parents and schools. Disney are providing somewhere that PARENTS can take their children where they can play and learn at the same time. Much like watching Sesame Street or going to children's museums. There is some assumption that parents are using this as the sole nutrition education that their children will get. It isn't something Disney are doing as they feel it's their place - they put these things in because that's what parents want.

Regarding the fact that the characters are fat and the heroes are thin (though I presume they aren't actually 'thin', but in fact somewhat athletic or 'healthy'), that's because eating lots of bad food makes one fat, and eating healthily and properly and exercising appropriately makes one healthy. They are not trying to vilify fat people - rather showing the effects of poor nutrition.

Also - someone was saying about the main hero being called Will Power, asking how many people succeed on will power alone? I would like to put my hand up among the number that have. I don't use any special tricks. I try to eat right and I exercise. What motivates me to do this is looking in the mirror and seeing someone I am happy to be, and also just plain feeling healthier and more energetic.

Someone made an argument about people living below the poverty line not being able to afford to go on 'organised activities. If you are below the poverty line, but are feeding your children junk food and enough of it to make them overweight, then you are spending too much on junk food. There are cheaper options that are healthier. My parents had very little money when I was growing up. Instead of holidays I would get taken to the park or to other free places. All my food was cooked from the ingredients, not bought in a cardboard box and microwaved, mostly because that was how my parents did things, but also because it is cheaper that way!

There is far too much pressure on people to cater for those who might feel insulted in society today, and we end up catering for no one. Our sense of entitlement is at an all time high, whilst at the same time our sense of responsibility for ourselves is at an all time low. Johnny isn't eating right and is fat - it's McDonalds fault for making their food so tasty and advertising it on tv. Sophie isn't doing well at school - it's her teacher's fault for not raising my child for me. Tommy becomes a criminal - it's society's fault, he had no choice.

No one wants to take responsibility for themselves and for those who are in their care, and this makes me sad for our future.

zebedee44

This country has gone to hell. God forbid we should set good examples! Instead we practice "acceptance" so no one has to do anything hard. Nothing great was achieved without hard work and it's no surprise that we are falling behind in every single category.

Faaawk.

Word. And guess what, the world is not all rainbows and warm fuzzies.

My world is all warm fuzzies. As a matter of fact I've got some warm fuzzies in my pocket... Would you like to reach in and get them?

Are they rainbow coloured?

leomentlines

I really don't get he outrage.

They are using the fact that some people have illnesses which make them gain weight as one of the main points behind their argument, but this is a small proportion when compared to the amount who simply eat unhealthily and have poor portion control.

People are asking why Disney think it's their place to educate children. Why do you have an issue with education coming from outside of parents and schools. Disney are providing somewhere that PARENTS can take their children where they can play and learn at the same time. Much like watching Sesame Street or going to children's museums. There is some assumption that parents are using this as the sole nutrition education that their children will get. It isn't something Disney are doing as they feel it's their place - they put these things in because that's what parents want.

Regarding the fact that the characters are fat and the heroes are thin (though I presume they aren't actually 'thin', but in fact somewhat athletic or 'healthy'), that's because eating lots of bad food makes one fat, and eating healthily and properly and exercising appropriately makes one healthy. They are not trying to vilify fat people - rather showing the effects of poor nutrition.

Also - someone was saying about the main hero being called Will Power, asking how many people succeed on will power alone? I would like to put my hand up among the number that have. I don't use any special tricks. I try to eat right and I exercise. What motivates me to do this is looking in the mirror and seeing someone I am happy to be, and also just plain feeling healthier and more energetic.

Someone made an argument about people living below the poverty line not being able to afford to go on 'organised activities. If you are below the poverty line, but are feeding your children junk food and enough of it to make them overweight, then you are spending too much on junk food. There are cheaper options that are healthier. My parents had very little money when I was growing up. Instead of holidays I would get taken to the park or to other free places. All my food was cooked from the ingredients, not bought in a cardboard box and microwaved, mostly because that was how my parents did things, but also because it is cheaper that way!

There is far too much pressure on people to cater for those who might feel insulted in society today, and we end up catering for no one. Our sense of entitlement is at an all time high, whilst at the same time our sense of responsibility for ourselves is at an all time low. Johnny isn't eating right and is fat - it's McDonalds fault for making their food so tasty and advertising it on tv. Sophie isn't doing well at school - it's her teacher's fault for not raising my child for me. Tommy becomes a criminal - it's society's fault, he had no choice.

No one wants to take responsibility for themselves and for those who are in their care, and this makes me sad for our future.

I agree with the last line of this SO MUCH. I don't think this exhibit sounds like a terrible thing. It seems to be unpopular because it makes people realize how unhealthy their lifestyles are. If it solely emphasized being skinny as the ideal, and not being active/eating well, then I'd take issue with it being displayed. But in this day and age where people seem more content buying fast food for themselves/family for dinner every night vs preparing it, any signs telling them that this behavior is bad are vilified. Before I made the decision to make my life healthier, I was guilty of doing this myself.

While there are many factors contributing to why fast food may be the easier/ more accessible option in some neighborhoods, it is not impossible for someone/a family to sustain themselves on a healthier diet paying the same (if not less than) what they spend eating out.

Hell frozen, steam in the bag vegetables are one of the easiest things to prepare for people with little free time (myself). Just put it in the microwave! While fresh is obviously the best choice, frozen is imo next up - many nutrients are preserved by freezing it, plus you have a much longer shelf life to work with.

Cdcaldwe

People that are obese due to health problems are one thing. I was morbidly obese for years. As a kid I was obese, because of the culture i was raised in. We had fresh fruits and vegetables we turned into jellies and fried the vegetables. I remember the casseroles loaded with veg and cheese and those french fried onions. I also ate way to much and most of my family was overweight. Children today are overweight because of convenience foods. I go to the grocery store and see a family with little kids in line loaded down with boxes and boxes of frozen foods. It isn't going to get any better.

rachelsholiday

So, let's NOT teach our children that they are failures if they gain a little weight. Let's NOT teach our children that it's OK to make fun of overweight people because they "did it to themselves". And kudos to not having this disgusting exhibit shown to kids in what's supposed to be a happy place!

Thank you! The amount of privilege in this post is horrifying. Great, you teach your kids healthy habits. That means YOU'VE been taught healthy habits to pass on. (and why you don't need to lose weight yourself....) People talk about their kids doing organized activities their kids do. That cost a lot of money. That people who are living below the poverty line don't have. Or that there are food deserts where fresh food can't be brought within a 5 mile radius. Or that going out and exercising might not be even safe.

If you want to help people stop shaming them. It doesn't work. Start offering solutions like how to get healthier foods to people at a cheaper cost or having classes in schools to teach this stuff.

Agreed! That has been my entire thought process through reading these posts. And quite frankly, so many of the comments I've read have equated thin with being healthy and fat with being unhealthy. That is not always the case. It's not as simple as people are making it out to be.

chrishgt4

So, let's NOT teach our children that they are failures if they gain a little weight. Let's NOT teach our children that it's OK to make fun of overweight people because they "did it to themselves". And kudos to not having this disgusting exhibit shown to kids in what's supposed to be a happy place!

Thank you! The amount of privilege in this post is horrifying. Great, you teach your kids healthy habits. That means YOU'VE been taught healthy habits to pass on. (and why you don't need to lose weight yourself....) People talk about their kids doing organized activities their kids do. That cost a lot of money. That people who are living below the poverty line don't have. Or that there are food deserts where fresh food can't be brought within a 5 mile radius. Or that going out and exercising might not be even safe.

If you want to help people stop shaming them. It doesn't work. Start offering solutions like how to get healthier foods to people at a cheaper cost or having classes in schools to teach this stuff.

Agreed! That has been my entire thought process through reading these posts. And quite frankly, so many of the comments I've read have equated thin with being healthy and fat with being unhealthy. That is not always the case. It's not as simple as people are making it out to be.

I don't think they do equate to that, I think they equate to eating wrongly and being overweight as being unhealthy, and being a healthy size as being healthy.

- it's not fat vs skinny. It's fat vs healthy.

Whilst we all know that there are thin people who are unhealthy, and fat people who are healthy, I think it's a pretty fair guideline that for 90% of cases, the more overweight you are the unhealthier you are.

tigersword

I'm sorry, but I see so many people rationalizing that I just have to put this bluntly.

An obese person is NOT healthy. Period. Being obese automatically makes you unhealthy.

emily356

I read some of this yesterday, so I haven't read every response. I just had a thought... If the parents are so poor, what the heck are they doing at Disney!!!!!!!!!!?????????????!!!!!!!!!! You could buy a year's worth of frozen veggies, grass fed beef and chicken for the price of a family trip to Disney. It is all about what is important. We could live in a bigger house, but what we feed our kids is very important to us. So, we stay in our tiny house and don't go out to eat or have lots of extras.... or take Disney trips.:D I would actually like to in another year or two if we can save up.:)

therealkittymao

Yeah, they really do care, that's why their parks are loaded with deep fried fatty foods, funnel cakes, corn dogs, ice cream, etc...maybe they can start there and then move on from that!

Honestly, I liked the idea of it, but I also understand not "villianizing" fat people. It's the fat and habits we want to get rid of, not the people! I think there was a better way to do this one!

I agree with this. Plus, you can't tell if someone is healthy just because they are thin (or unhealthy just because they are fat). That's a myth, but it gets perpetuated all the time in our culture. And now there'a a display at Disneyworld so REALLY young kids are getting exposed to wrong information, and getting indoctrinated with prejudice against fat people. We can send healthy messages about eating well and being active without making it so us vs. them.

laineylynnfit

I definitely want to read this entire thread later

sergetns73

we need to teach our kids to stay away from JUNK food that includes MC donald's or all fast food restaurants.

liss0916

Yeah, they really do care, that's why their parks are loaded with deep fried fatty foods, funnel cakes, corn dogs, ice cream, etc...maybe they can start there and then move on from that!

Honestly, I liked the idea of it, but I also understand not "villianizing" fat people. It's the fat and habits we want to get rid of, not the people! I think there was a better way to do this one!

I totally agree with you....

Even if some kids are obese due to genetics, that's still no excuse. They are growing and they should be allowed to eat whatever they want as long as in judicious portions. I have an 8 year old, and that boy loves to eat but me as his mother, I watch how much he’s consuming and I make sure he doesn’t over do it. Some of these kids probably have obese parents, so the problems start from there.

Physical activities and watching what they eat will help keep obesity at a low level.

Rhea30

Honestly, I wish Disney would serve healthier foods within their parks.




And beer.

Disney does serve healthier foods and have far as I've gone for years, it all depends what you are looking for there. Every stand always is loaded with fruit and water.

Now about the exhibit. I do think the exhibit was a bad choice, it isn't going to help kids get healthier but might help them get teased more. There's better ways to go about this.

MikeSEA

I'm sorry, but I see so many people rationalizing that I just have to put this bluntly.

An obese person is NOT healthy. Period. Being obese automatically makes you unhealthy.

Looking obese doesn't mean your habits are unhealthy. It might mean they were at some point, but who knows what kind of medical past someone has. By the same token, looking fit doesn't mean someone's habits are necessarily healthy.

Turning behaviors into visual personifications, apart from logically stupid, just trains kids to turn people who look a certain way into villains. Anyone who thinks differently should probably spend some time around a group of children. And anyone who thinks an obese person should be turned into a villain, even if they used to have or currently have poor habits, doesn't get it.

It's not about rationalization. If shame works for some people, great. For other people it's a fantastic way to demotivate themselves, which just enhances the problem. We can educate and motivate without turning obese people into the villains they aren't.

chrishgt4

What actually would have taken place in the exhibit?

Maybe Will Power helped Lead Bottom to get healthy? Wouldn't that be a positive message?

As someone has said above - you can't be obese and healthy. And yes there might be people who are eating healthily and be obese, which means they are on the right track - those people should see this as a good thing surely! I don't see how it would encourage teasing and bullying just by saying that healthy is good, unhealthy is bad.

Aleara2012

I will go against the grain here... Yes we should concentrate on teaching our children to eat healthy and be active but in a positive and enabling way, not by providing negative images and sending the message that fat people = bad people.

murdy745

I understand that putting a child down because they are obsese can be very damaging to their self-esteem, etc but the damage they are doing to their bodies is even worse. Up until this point in history, there has never been a larger amount of obese children and teenagers in our country. The scary part is that their life span is probably going to be cut drastically from staying obese for longer periods of time. We will never learn that moderation is key. Junk food is not bad, especially at Disney World. Kids should be able to enjoy treats from time to time. I recently saw an old friend of mine with her son in tow. Since I had seen him in over five years, he has grown dramatically. Only 12 years old but pushing well over 220 pounds. She has become a major advocate for bullying, because of what he faces every day at school. Is it wrong that I got higly irritated that she blames bullying as the culprit-Her son is huge, just in middle school and she is worrying about bullying and not her son's diet grrrrrr

aprilgicker

Also...

I like the idea of the exhibit, I just wish it wasn't the overweight characters that were the villains, rather, the foods themselves should be the villains.

Or add someone like "Lazybones" a fat skinny person. Show what they would look like 5 or so years after high school. I remember eating bad in school and putting on the weight later. That is where the "Freshman 40" came from. Hello!