Fat-Shaming May Curb Obesity?

_Witsy_

Bullying anyone to change anything never seems to work well. Uhh duh.

SteveJWatson

It is an interesting theory. I grew up in the 60's and 70's. Fat people were shamed much more than today back then. There were far fewer fat people. But I'm not sure that shaming was the reason. But the author is correct that shaming smokers did cause a dramatic drop in the number of smokers.

And for those talking of bullying, shaming and bullying are the same thing.

I think the fact that there was less food available per capita and therefore it was comparatively much more expensive was more likely the reason.

I read somewhere that food was the main household expendature then, now rent is - basically, an abundance of cheap food meant the landlords could up the rent...

Edited to add: Heavy manual labour was also much more common then too.

murphinchina

How about shaming the parents who teach their kids these terrible, self-destructive behaviors when they are at too young an age to know better and make better choices for themselves. I'm sorry, but I'm in China now, the land of the One Child Policy and I see, on a daily basis how terribly spoiled these children are. I'm not sure they're much better in the States though. But nothing enrages my inner teacher like a little fat kid (and I mean really fat) stuffing his face with the little cakes his grandmother is feeding him on our class breaks.

Don't shame the kids, shame the parents! (Or grandparents)

Katacheese

As someone who grew up fat, there's plenty of shame out there already. I remember walking down the street during college and a car ful of young men pulled up to me to tell me I was fat. That was shaming and embarrassing and had absolutely no effect on me other than to make me want to eat. I think it makes more sense to post calories counts on everything. I live in Vermont and all chain restaurants have to post how many calories are in everything and it makes me a more informed consumer. I think putting up this information on everything, even if it's a best guess, would go farther towards helping people make better choices. Empowering people to choose is so much better than empowering people to bully and shame one another.

Mokey41

I don't think we need to shame people but I do think we need to quit making excuses for obesity being accepted as the norm. Stop adjusting sizes so the overweight can feel good about themselves, making allowances on public transport, ***** footing around the word fat by using chubby, fluffy, etc, making adjustments to the work place to accommodate the obese.

There's the odd special snowflake out there who has some genuine medical problem that causes a weight issue but for the 99% it's a matter of getting your head in the game. Pretending it's alright is not helping.

Edit: Seriously? Another word for cat is deserving of censorship? SMH

erinsueburns

Well, one of the arguments was that public shaming of smokers worked to get people to quit smoking.

Some people are genetically predisposed to obesity. Medical issues. Hormonal problems. No one is predisposed to smoking.

Not that that is an excuse to be obese, but it's also very easy for a slender person to make this assumption.

Public shaming of smokers never made me want to quit smoking. All it made we want to do was say "go **** ******* ***** ********" to the person complaining about smokers.

Or smoke another cigarette...

But this is what really caught my eye in that news article:

actual free-range fat people

OutsideCreativ

I don't think shaming is the solution-- but coddling certainly isn't either.

Too big to fit in your chair at the ballgame, on the plane or on the train? Then you'll have to buy another. We're not going to just give you one.

In stores-- lets make those scooters available only for those who are injured or elderly. If you're just using one becasue you're fat... then maybe a walk down some aisles would help you out.

Don't shame, don't coddle just hold everyone to the same standards you hol people of healthy weight.

bcattoes

Well, one of the arguments was that public shaming of smokers worked to get people to quit smoking.

Some people are genetically predisposed to obesity. Medical issues. Hormonal problems. No one is predisposed to smoking.

Not that that is an excuse to be obese, but it's also very easy for a slender person to make this assumption.

There is as much non-truth in this as truth. Genetics do a play a role in how easily one loses or gains weight, but outside very rare genetic disorders genetics do not make people obese. People eating too much and moving too little makes them obese. And just like genetics may make it easier for some to gain weight, genetics can make it easier for some to become addicted to substances like tobacco. Both smoking and gaining weight are choices people make.

Dougf90

Fat people know they're fat, someone mocking them isn't going to help them. Also, fat shaming is already in full force. What has it done?

This would also encourage more bullying towards young children in school, who not only hate themselves but will now hate going to school. That's not good. How can you expect a child to have the wherewithal to overcome such a task when most adults can't even do it themselves? Are we expecting to shame the knowledge into them?

MizTerry

Well, one of the arguments was that public shaming of smokers worked to get people to quit smoking.

.

I quit smoking when "I" saw fit to do so, not because I was shamed into it. "I" had to make the decision that it was time to quit. That's all a bunch of hogwash.

maryannelk

yeah, because the constant shame and embarrassment heaped upon the overweight people of the world is working really well so far

What she said...

SillyFitMe

Not a fan of bullying or shaming but I'm a firm believer in NOT coddling people. It worked well for smokers. Are feelings more important than health?

SunshineKisses_2012

I dont think we should shame people for being obese, but also dont play into it when people use that as an excuse. Im tired of hearing people say hes just big boned or its genetics. I spent the better part of my young adult life over weight and used that as an excuse, oh I just have a big frame, blah blah ... and no one would say anything other wise, then one day a close friend was just like no man, you not your just fat... and yeah for me that sparked a fire that started my change. So no i dont think shaming is the best way to go about it for everyone, but a good dose of reality for some over weight people would be good.

I was told I was fat by my sister and mother in my youth and that only led to secret eating and gaining more weight. Definitely not the way to go. In my early 20's I used the "I'm just big boned" argument...and that was a lie.

Honestly, if society were to pick up on shaming (bullying) fat people, I believe there would be a drastic increase in number of suicides. Speaking for myself, when I was eating horribly, I felt horribly, and the littlest things could set me into a binge and pity party of epic proportions. I thank God daily for every day that goes by that I don't have the thought of over eating, because it is a day by day thing for me, but when I was in my teens, I considered suicide because of the bullying I got at school and at home.

poorcopies

Sounds to me like that will lead to more obesity. If I am shamed for eating...makes me want to eat in secret. Lets give people a bigger problem. Yeah, that'll work (insert sarcasm).

This, I have Binge Eating Disorder and being arseholes about my weight or bringing it up is a huge trigger for me.

ej_glen

Well, all the fat shaming comments aimed at me so far haven't worked.

Oddly enough, it's only been drowning out the "noise" of the criticism and listening to good friends and people who care about me that have made me realise I'm worth something. And that's what has motivated me to lose weight for my own health, appearance and happiness.

juliesmithdiet

Only thing that has worked for me personally is being ready to do it for myself. Shaming me would just make me want to eat comfort foods. So for me and many like me no it won't help could in fact make us eat more.

Shrinking_Xtina

Yeah all those years of countless insults from strangers and families have really done the trick for me. *eye roll*

xTenaciousJx

Just sad...why do you think most people are obese?? because they don't believe in themselves (or when younger don't have parents that teach them healthy habits). its all about lifting up people and realizing that they won't change unless they WANT to. That they are worth being healthy, and teachings kids and adults...having stricter food laws and taking the processed food crap out of the stores might help a bit. Having good healthy food cheaper might save our country. Makes me just sad and sick, I'm so thankful I can afford healthy things for my family.

TR0berts

I don't know - it might work. Most likely only because the obese people end up committing suicide and reducing their numbers. Other than that? No.

ApexLeader

frankly i only worry about my own weight.

lauren3101

Personally, it was critical and derogatory comments that made me binge and then pile on the pounds in the first place. Many overweight people emotional eat. This is a ridiculous and insensitive idea.

RenewedRunner

I can't quite come down on one side of this.

The counselor in me FIRMLY belives that bullying is intolerable and never okay. I don't see how shaming (how is he describing shaming??) would make someone feel bad enough to change but not bad enough to still love themselves. Since when did shredding a person's self worth become an acceptable approach to anything in life?

HOWEVER...

I see too many obese kids these days. I don't mean with cute chipmunk cheeks but seriously, dangerously obese. Something in our culture has to change. From childhood,. we are setting people up for major health problems. And I just cannot be okay with a child who is so heavy that WALKING from one class to another is a struggle. I have more than 1 student like that. actually quite a few. And while we may make fun of fat people, apparently there is some culture of acceptance as our obesity rates in America just keep rising and rising.

_chiaroscuro

So I let my initial emotional reaction pass and read the actual paper in the Hastings Report. Daniel Callahan, IMO, cares deeply about the obesity epidemic, especially with regard to children, and change is not happening fast enough for him. He went into social scientist panic mode and wrote it down.

He...should probably lay low for a while.

rebeccap13

Shaming, no. But there is a difference between shaming and tough love. They know that they are obese and most are ashamed to begin with. Pointing out these flaws does nothing. A constructive conversation about health issues and the basic steps it takes to get to a healthy weight would probably be a much more beneficial conversation.

GauchoMark

don't agree with shaming, but I think our society has become too accepting of it. For example, restaurants that serve portions that are 3-4x what people SHOULD eat, changing clothes sizes to allow larger people to wear smaller sizes, etc.

Yasmine91

Fat shaming worked for me but it didn't for my little sister. It's a dumb idea to even consider.

JoyousRen

Well, one of the arguments was that public shaming of smokers worked to get people to quit smoking.

Some people are genetically predisposed to obesity. Medical issues. Hormonal problems. No one is predisposed to smoking.

Not that that is an excuse to be obese, but it's also very easy for a slender person to make this assumption.

Public shaming of smokers never made me want to quit smoking. All it made we want to do was say "go **** ******* ***** ********" to the person complaining about smokers.

Thomas, I love you a little more right now.

I was made fun of for being fat when I was kid even by kids fatter than I was, it didn't help. I would just eat to make myself feel better.

thingal12

I was bullied into losing weight and after losing 40 pounds (I was 172 my highest ever) I looked horrible because I did it the wrong way (starved mostly and if I did eat, I exercised it off). I worstened my anemia, my calcium levels were too low, and I was constantly angry with the world. Since then I gained back 15 pounds but this time want to lose it the right way.. the healthy way. Not by being bullied (by my oldest sis mostly) but by doing it my way.

johloz

That sounds horrible and completely ineffective.

That being said, I do there is something to be sad for society's increasing pride in being overweight. While I certainly don't think we should judge or shame anyone for their weight, we as a society should be encouraging health and self-acceptance, not acting like being overweight is a point of pride or that fit people are not as happy as fat ones. That is just ridiculous.

akaMrsmojo

We have become a society of bullies if that is the answer. Truly sad.

People know they have a problem, some just do not know how to get out of it.