Why is obesity considered deviant behavior?

BrettPGH

Why do people keep trying to blame fast food? McDonald's and Burger King have been around since the 1950s, and Wendy's has been around since the 1960s. People weren't obese back then. It's not the food choices that are the problem, it's the fact that people are much less active, and don't take any responsibility for themselves.

We must blame them and cause a fuss
Before someone thinks of blaming uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus!!!!

-Blame Canada. South Park

odusgolp

This entire thread has made me legitimately butthurt today.


I'm gonna go rub it out *sigh*

odusgolp

This entire thread has made me legitimately butthurt today.


I'm gonna go rub it out *sigh*

That came out wrong.

ambernbarrier

Why is obesity considered deviant behavior when we throw gobs of money at research for cures of ADHD, Bipolar disorder, cancer, etc. but almost none towards obesity? Obesity is an epidemic that will only get worse if we treat it with ridicule and disgust. It isn't a character flaw of someone that causes them to be obese. Obesity isn't deviance but a disease (like alcoholism) of sorts and if treated properly can be cured. By properly I mean addressing physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional needs of the obese person. McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King among others contribute mightily to the obesity problem.

As a society we also have to demand healthier products from the Food Industry and call the Food Industry on their so-called research to prove additives such as MSG and HFCS are safe. By making demands, I don't mean passing laws but refusing to eat at establishments that use trans fats, too much sugar, HFCS, and MSG. Hit the Food Industry where it counts - in the wallet. Americans need to take a more active role in their health and know that a pill will not cure everything.

The cure is already known, stop shoving food in your mouth and eat less, maybe move a little more as well.

And please stop with the tinfoil hat stuff with HFCS and MSG, metabolically speaking, how is HFCS different from sucrose and how is MSG different than glutamate?

it is not that simple. Stop shoving food in your mouth will only serve to cause severe eating disorders, malnutrition and bad eating habits I will ask that you refrain from exposing your harsh opinion of obese people. Did it ever occur to you that he was talking about the knowledge if nutrition? Because honestly I personally have an entire family that has never portioned anything in their lives. They knew nothing about how to be healthy. All foods that are easily available and affordable to the general public are unhealthy. Sure there are healthy choices as well, but with the family we currently have teaching is the wrong habits, subliminal messages in tv teaching us eating more is better. He is right, by boycotting the establishments that are assisting this, by not providing a healthy choice, and labeling all of their food as to the caloric nutrition, along with what vitamins and minerals it includes/ does not include; it will force a change. In fact it is the only thing as consumers we have power over. However in the mean time it is up to the individual to learn about nutrition. And make healthier choices, ongoing. I myself am only now approaching that I started 3 months ago and am 26 pounds down and 124 more pounds to go.

ctpeace

So basically obese people are choosing to engage in activities which quite literally could and will lead to their deaths?

Given that the overriding biological imperative is survival that theory seems distinctly like utter rubbish to me...

Yes, for most people it's a choice. They don't choose to be obese, they chose not to do something about it. And please note I said "most people" before you tell me about all the medical reasons someone might be obese.

I think the notion that people consciously choose to eat themselves to the point of severe illness or even death is ludicrous.

in my view something else more compelling is going on under the surface...

In your view, and in the view of researchers who are dedicating time to this. Yes, choice is involved, but there are factors (genetic, environmental, cultural) that GREATLY influence those choices. If we take a stab at working on those factors instead of just saying calling people mentally weak, we'll have a much better shot at helping them. Shaking your head and writing someone of as simply making bad choices, consciously moving themselves closer to death, never helped for smokers or heavy drinkers. Yes, choice is a part of it, but it's extremely important to continue the search for tools that make that choice more viable in people's minds.

ctpeace

Your lack of knowledge about the societal problems behind obesity is astounding. Look up Food Access and Low-Income Neighborhoods in a reputable public health journal. It's great that you've found your way out of eating crap, but your pathway was easier than it is for some: You have easy access to a grocery store that has many healthy items to choose from, you are the head of your household and therefore the "gatekeeper" for what food is brought in the house, you have the time and money to get to a gym frequently etc. I'm not saying people with financial difficulty CAN'T get healthy, but it's more difficult for more than one reason.

Your lack of knowledge about personal responsibility is astounding. I actually live in a n extremely poor area, and shop at the local grocery store. Surprise surprise, there are healthy options there. People are, by and large, not force feed. All adults are the gate keepers to their own body. Every bite of food they eat is a choice to eat that bite of food. Maybe it is more difficult for some. Tough crap. Whoever said that life is easy lied. It is also less difficult for some who still choose to be obese. Relative difficulty level does not equate impossibility. If they don't want to be obese, make the more difficult choice. Funny how you assume that just because I am in pretty good shape, it is somehow less difficult. My pathway was also more difficult than it would be for some as well. I made the difficult choice. Period. if someone doesn't want to be obese, they can make the difficult choice as well.

"tough crap" huh? Doesn't seem to work for most people for most addictions (and you can't tell me this isn't an addiction, it may be different from others, but all addictions start with choices and turn into something that's much bigger and more difficult than your average choice). You may be part of the exceptional few, but I'm just saying that anything we can do to give people a hand and make the pathway easier will get a few more people on board. While you are certainly entitled to being very proud of yourself despite the difficulties you've encountered, does that mean we shouldn't be looking for a way to remove those difficulties for others? Hopefully your disdain for those who haven't been able to be quite so amazingly strong-willed as yourself isn't shared by the medical and fitness communities; otherwise this problem (classifiable as "pandemic" at this point) will continue. When large portions of the population struggle with the same negative health outcome, it increases over time, and marked differences show up when comparing various socio-economic groups, it needs to be addressed systemically. Yes, personal choice IS important, but from a public health perspective, the professional community needs to continue to look for ways to make that choice easier. I'm sure as a parent, you do things to move your kids towards making good choices, even when you can't "control" what they do, hoping to give them an edge in some way and help them avoid difficulties that you faced, and you obviously use MFP to make your fitness goals easier to reach, so this concept shouldn't be so foreign. The easier we can make it, the more likely people are to make the decision to get healthy and stick to it.

smantha32

If we take a stab at working on those factors instead of just saying calling people mentally weak, we'll have a much better shot at helping them. Shaking your head and writing someone of as simply making bad choices, consciously moving themselves closer to death, never helped for smokers or heavy drinkers. Yes, choice is a part of it, but it's extremely important to continue the search for tools that make that choice more viable in people's minds.

Yet you're calling them mentally weak yourself by implying that people are incapable of deciding to take care of themselves unless someone invents a "tool" that influences them to "want" to take care of their health.

BrettPGH

If we take a stab at working on those factors instead of just saying calling people mentally weak, we'll have a much better shot at helping them. Shaking your head and writing someone of as simply making bad choices, consciously moving themselves closer to death, never helped for smokers or heavy drinkers. Yes, choice is a part of it, but it's extremely important to continue the search for tools that make that choice more viable in people's minds.

Yet you're calling them mentally weak yourself by implying that people are incapable of deciding to take care of themselves unless someone invents a "tool" that influences them to "want" to take care of their health.

Thank you.

I'm not saying people are weak. I've spent the majority of my life as a fat guy, eating crap and never working out.

But I'm sure as hell not saying that most people aren't smart enough to know that eating too much and not exercising causes obesity. That's pure condescension.

Saying people aren't educated is just another in the list of excuses for why we all got fat. You can keep making them or you can do something to change it.

Acg67

Why is obesity considered deviant behavior when we throw gobs of money at research for cures of ADHD, Bipolar disorder, cancer, etc. but almost none towards obesity? Obesity is an epidemic that will only get worse if we treat it with ridicule and disgust. It isn't a character flaw of someone that causes them to be obese. Obesity isn't deviance but a disease (like alcoholism) of sorts and if treated properly can be cured. By properly I mean addressing physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional needs of the obese person. McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King among others contribute mightily to the obesity problem.

As a society we also have to demand healthier products from the Food Industry and call the Food Industry on their so-called research to prove additives such as MSG and HFCS are safe. By making demands, I don't mean passing laws but refusing to eat at establishments that use trans fats, too much sugar, HFCS, and MSG. Hit the Food Industry where it counts - in the wallet. Americans need to take a more active role in their health and know that a pill will not cure everything.

The cure is already known, stop shoving food in your mouth and eat less, maybe move a little more as well.

And please stop with the tinfoil hat stuff with HFCS and MSG, metabolically speaking, how is HFCS different from sucrose and how is MSG different than glutamate?

it is not that simple. Stop shoving food in your mouth will only serve to cause severe eating disorders, malnutrition and bad eating habits I will ask that you refrain from exposing your harsh opinion of obese people. Did it ever occur to you that he was talking about the knowledge if nutrition? Because honestly I personally have an entire family that has never portioned anything in their lives. They knew nothing about how to be healthy. All foods that are easily available and affordable to the general public are unhealthy. Sure there are healthy choices as well, but with the family we currently have teaching is the wrong habits, subliminal messages in tv teaching us eating more is better. He is right, by boycotting the establishments that are assisting this, by not providing a healthy choice, and labeling all of their food as to the caloric nutrition, along with what vitamins and minerals it includes/ does not include; it will force a change. In fact it is the only thing as consumers we have power over. However in the mean time it is up to the individual to learn about nutrition. And make healthier choices, ongoing. I myself am only now approaching that I started 3 months ago and am 26 pounds down and 124 more pounds to go.

Congrats on your weightloss

How exactly would telling someone to stop shoving food in their mouths lead to severe eating disorders, malnutrition and a host of other problems?

All foods that are easily available and affordable to the general public are unhealthy

O rly? I like how you talk in absolutes like that

He is right, by boycotting the establishments that are assisting this, by not providing a healthy choice, and labeling all of their food as to the caloric nutrition, along with what vitamins and minerals it includes/ does not include; it will force a change

The healthiness of a choice depends on the amount and context of how it fits into your total diet, and labeling is a complete waste of time and money and has been shown to be largely ineffective at changing consumer behavior

ambernbarrier

If we take a stab at working on those factors instead of just saying calling people mentally weak, we'll have a much better shot at helping them. Shaking your head and writing someone of as simply making bad choices, consciously moving themselves closer to death, never helped for smokers or heavy drinkers. Yes, choice is a part of it, but it's extremely important to continue the search for tools that make that choice more viable in people's minds.

Yet you're calling them mentally weak yourself by implying that people are incapable of deciding to take care of themselves unless someone invents a "tool" that influences them to "want" to take care of their health.

sad to say neither one of you are helping this thread. All you are doing is arguing. I ask that you all, please retread the initial post. This thread is to discuss, why people have such poor opinions of obese people, when there are soo many factors of reasons obesity is claiming the lives of millions. He is proposing that we as enlightened individuals, take a stand in, educating, and helping to reduce at least the most prominent establishments that are not helping to make people healthier. Because let's face it we all have our reasons for being obese. But most of us, simply are addicted to food. And it has a lot to do with tv commercials, poor nutrition knowledge, and the theme bigger is better. Also in case you haven't noticed we are all in the same boat. All people here are here for one reason. To get healthier. So please stop this arguing and become proactive in this discussion not negative. We get enough of that in our society. You never know who is going to read this thread, and how your comments will effect their weight loss and road to being healthy. Please lead by example. Be the change you want to see.

ambernbarrier

Why is obesity considered deviant behavior when we throw gobs of money at research for cures of ADHD, Bipolar disorder, cancer, etc. but almost none towards obesity? Obesity is an epidemic that will only get worse if we treat it with ridicule and disgust. It isn't a character flaw of someone that causes them to be obese. Obesity isn't deviance but a disease (like alcoholism) of sorts and if treated properly can be cured. By properly I mean addressing physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional needs of the obese person. McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King among others contribute mightily to the obesity problem.

As a society we also have to demand healthier products from the Food Industry and call the Food Industry on their so-called research to prove additives such as MSG and HFCS are safe. By making demands, I don't mean passing laws but refusing to eat at establishments that use trans fats, too much sugar, HFCS, and MSG. Hit the Food Industry where it counts - in the wallet. Americans need to take a more active role in their health and know that a pill will not cure everything.

The cure is already known, stop shoving food in your mouth and eat less, maybe move a little more as well.

And please stop with the tinfoil hat stuff with HFCS and MSG, metabolically speaking, how is HFCS different from sucrose and how is MSG different than glutamate?

it is not that simple. Stop shoving food in your mouth will only serve to cause severe eating disorders, malnutrition and bad eating habits I will ask that you refrain from exposing your harsh opinion of obese people. Did it ever occur to you that he was talking about the knowledge if nutrition? Because honestly I personally have an entire family that has never portioned anything in their lives. They knew nothing about how to be healthy. All foods that are easily available and affordable to the general public are unhealthy. Sure there are healthy choices as well, but with the family we currently have teaching is the wrong habits, subliminal messages in tv teaching us eating more is better. He is right, by boycotting the establishments that are assisting this, by not providing a healthy choice, and labeling all of their food as to the caloric nutrition, along with what vitamins and minerals it includes/ does not include; it will force a change. In fact it is the only thing as consumers we have power over. However in the mean time it is up to the individual to learn about nutrition. And make healthier choices, ongoing. I myself am only now approaching that I started 3 months ago and am 26 pounds down and 124 more pounds to go.

Congrats on your weightloss

How exactly would telling someone to stop shoving food in their mouths lead to severe eating disorders, malnutrition and a host of other problems?

All foods that are easily available and affordable to the general public are unhealthy

O rly? I like how you talk in absolutes like that

He is right, by boycotting the establishments that are assisting this, by not providing a healthy choice, and labeling all of their food as to the caloric nutrition, along with what vitamins and minerals it includes/ does not include; it will force a change

The healthiness of a choice depends on the amount and context of how it fits into your total diet, and labeling is a complete waste of time and money and has been shown to be largely ineffective at changing consumer behavior

thank you, in my thrive to getting healthier I have found people who start off being overweight, are stuck with a nasty image of themself due to comments like this. In fact it has negatively impacted their self image so horribly they become anorexic, bulemic, and basically crash diet. If you start on such a course, it gets really dangerous very quickly and is so hard to come out of. Much like obesity but in reverse. A couple friends I know personally went through this and nearly died. They are still recovering. It can rob them of a chance to learn how to safely lose weight and not learn what true nutrition is. Also keep in mind this site has no age limit. There are younger individuals on here that are impressionable here.

anneerick

This is such an interesting topic!!
I may not be popular for my opinion but I feel it is a persons choice. They should be held accountable. Take control of your life, educate yourself, and be responsible!!
But...
I also have the same attitude towards alcohol and drug issues. I take a hard stance when it comes to personal choices. Make smart ones.....

5ftnFun

Why is obesity considered deviant behavior when we throw gobs of money at research for cures of ADHD, Bipolar disorder, cancer, etc. but almost none towards obesity? Obesity is an epidemic that will only get worse if we treat it with ridicule and disgust. It isn't a character flaw of someone that causes them to be obese. Obesity isn't deviance but a disease (like alcoholism) of sorts and if treated properly can be cured. By properly I mean addressing physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional needs of the obese person. McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King among others contribute mightily to the obesity problem.

As a society we also have to demand healthier products from the Food Industry and call the Food Industry on their so-called research to prove additives such as MSG and HFCS are safe. By making demands, I don't mean passing laws but refusing to eat at establishments that use trans fats, too much sugar, HFCS, and MSG. Hit the Food Industry where it counts - in the wallet. Americans need to take a more active role in their health and know that a pill will not cure everything.

The cure is already known, stop shoving food in your mouth and eat less, maybe move a little more as well.

And please stop with the tinfoil hat stuff with HFCS and MSG, metabolically speaking, how is HFCS different from sucrose and how is MSG different than glutamate?

it is not that simple. Stop shoving food in your mouth will only serve to cause severe eating disorders, malnutrition and bad eating habits I will ask that you refrain from exposing your harsh opinion of obese people. Did it ever occur to you that he was talking about the knowledge if nutrition? Because honestly I personally have an entire family that has never portioned anything in their lives. They knew nothing about how to be healthy. All foods that are easily available and affordable to the general public are unhealthy. Sure there are healthy choices as well, but with the family we currently have teaching is the wrong habits, subliminal messages in tv teaching us eating more is better. He is right, by boycotting the establishments that are assisting this, by not providing a healthy choice, and labeling all of their food as to the caloric nutrition, along with what vitamins and minerals it includes/ does not include; it will force a change. In fact it is the only thing as consumers we have power over. However in the mean time it is up to the individual to learn about nutrition. And make healthier choices, ongoing. I myself am only now approaching that I started 3 months ago and am 26 pounds down and 124 more pounds to go.

Congrats on your weightloss

How exactly would telling someone to stop shoving food in their mouths lead to severe eating disorders, malnutrition and a host of other problems?

All foods that are easily available and affordable to the general public are unhealthy

O rly? I like how you talk in absolutes like that

He is right, by boycotting the establishments that are assisting this, by not providing a healthy choice, and labeling all of their food as to the caloric nutrition, along with what vitamins and minerals it includes/ does not include; it will force a change

The healthiness of a choice depends on the amount and context of how it fits into your total diet, and labeling is a complete waste of time and money and has been shown to be largely ineffective at changing consumer behavior

I agree with Acg67. Posts like this make me crazy. It's society's fault. It's my parents' fault. It's McDonald's fault. It's those darn fast food commercials' fault. The fast food places should be boycotted until they teach me nutrition. Good grief.

BrettPGH

If we take a stab at working on those factors instead of just saying calling people mentally weak, we'll have a much better shot at helping them. Shaking your head and writing someone of as simply making bad choices, consciously moving themselves closer to death, never helped for smokers or heavy drinkers. Yes, choice is a part of it, but it's extremely important to continue the search for tools that make that choice more viable in people's minds.

Yet you're calling them mentally weak yourself by implying that people are incapable of deciding to take care of themselves unless someone invents a "tool" that influences them to "want" to take care of their health.

sad to say neither one of you are helping this thread. All you are doing is arguing. I ask that you all, please retread the initial post. This thread is to discuss, why people have such poor opinions of obese people, when there are soo many factors of reasons obesity is claiming the lives of millions. He is proposing that we as enlightened individuals, take a stand in, educating, and helping to reduce at least the most prominent establishments that are not helping to make people healthier. Because let's face it we all have our reasons for being obese. But most of us, simply are addicted to food. And it has a lot to do with tv commercials, poor nutrition knowledge, and the theme bigger is better. Also in case you haven't noticed we are all in the same boat. All people here are here for one reason. To get healthier. So please stop this arguing and become proactive in this discussion not negative. We get enough of that in our society. You never know who is going to read this thread, and how your comments will effect their weight loss and road to being healthy. Please lead by example. Be the change you want to see.

Not one business needs to be closed because of obesity.

We are not addicted to food. We like it, it's tasty, it also keeps us alive. That isn't addiction. It belittles people with real addictions and chemical dependencies to pretend we're all addicts because we enjoy food.

Your view is not the end of the discussion. It's one tiny voice among millions.

I have lead by example. I lost the weight. Even inspired others to do the same. No lawsuits, no legislation, no big brother monitoring everyone's lives.

ambernbarrier

This is such an interesting topic!!
I may not be popular for my opinion but I feel it is a person choice. They should be held accountable. Take control of your life, educate yourself, and be responsible!!
But...
I also have the same attitude towards alcohol and drug issues. I take a hard stance when it comes to personal choices. Make smart ones.....

may not be popular but I agree

ambernbarrier

Why is obesity considered deviant behavior when we throw gobs of money at research for cures of ADHD, Bipolar disorder, cancer, etc. but almost none towards obesity? Obesity is an epidemic that will only get worse if we treat it with ridicule and disgust. It isn't a character flaw of someone that causes them to be obese. Obesity isn't deviance but a disease (like alcoholism) of sorts and if treated properly can be cured. By properly I mean addressing physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional needs of the obese person. McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King among others contribute mightily to the obesity problem.

As a society we also have to demand healthier products from the Food Industry and call the Food Industry on their so-called research to prove additives such as MSG and HFCS are safe. By making demands, I don't mean passing laws but refusing to eat at establishments that use trans fats, too much sugar, HFCS, and MSG. Hit the Food Industry where it counts - in the wallet. Americans need to take a more active role in their health and know that a pill will not cure everything.

The cure is already known, stop shoving food in your mouth and eat less, maybe move a little more as well.

And please stop with the tinfoil hat stuff with HFCS and MSG, metabolically speaking, how is HFCS different from sucrose and how is MSG different than glutamate?

it is not that simple. Stop shoving food in your mouth will only serve to cause severe eating disorders, malnutrition and bad eating habits I will ask that you refrain from exposing your harsh opinion of obese people. Did it ever occur to you that he was talking about the knowledge if nutrition? Because honestly I personally have an entire family that has never portioned anything in their lives. They knew nothing about how to be healthy. All foods that are easily available and affordable to the general public are unhealthy. Sure there are healthy choices as well, but with the family we currently have teaching is the wrong habits, subliminal messages in tv teaching us eating more is better. He is right, by boycotting the establishments that are assisting this, by not providing a healthy choice, and labeling all of their food as to the caloric nutrition, along with what vitamins and minerals it includes/ does not include; it will force a change. In fact it is the only thing as consumers we have power over. However in the mean time it is up to the individual to learn about nutrition. And make healthier choices, ongoing. I myself am only now approaching that I started 3 months ago and am 26 pounds down and 124 more pounds to go.

Congrats on your weightloss

How exactly would telling someone to stop shoving food in their mouths lead to severe eating disorders, malnutrition and a host of other problems?

All foods that are easily available and affordable to the general public are unhealthy

O rly? I like how you talk in absolutes like that

He is right, by boycotting the establishments that are assisting this, by not providing a healthy choice, and labeling all of their food as to the caloric nutrition, along with what vitamins and minerals it includes/ does not include; it will force a change

The healthiness of a choice depends on the amount and context of how it fits into your total diet, and labeling is a complete waste of time and money and has been shown to be largely ineffective at changing consumer behavior

I agree with Acg67. Posts like this make me crazy. It's society's fault. It's my parents' fault. It's McDonald's fault. It's those darn fast food commercials' fault. The fast food places should be boycotted until they teach me nutrition. Good grief.

not exactly what I meant. What I meant, is the ones, that are not giving substantial nutritional facts about what they serve, and have little to no health benefits, should be forced to start informing people, how many calories per serving, how much protein per serving. I truly and honestly had no clue what I was doing to my body, now that I know, I have made personal choices to correct them. However so many people out there do not know what they are doing to their bodies. I agree personal choice is 90 percent of getting healthy. But without being enlightened first, how does one know a change is needed?

dawningr

I don't think Government intervention is necessarily the right idea, but I'd love it if everyone who coughs and shoots me dirty looks when I (like Brett) light up, would also make disgusted faces when obese people walk out of McDonalds, then we will make some positive progress in changing our culture from one of welcoming acceptance toward Obesity to fighting it for the scourge it really is.

I think that's a modest proposal.

You've never been obese. the disgusted faces happen daily to someone who is. My favorite is when it happens at the gym. I am doing the right thing, and steadily losing weight. Sorry if I'm not 'pretty' enough while doing it for some people :-)

ambernbarrier

I don't think Government intervention is necessarily the right idea, but I'd love it if everyone who coughs and shoots me dirty looks when I (like Brett) light up, would also make disgusted faces when obese people walk out of McDonalds, then we will make some positive progress in changing our culture from one of welcoming acceptance toward Obesity to fighting it for the scourge it really is.

I think that's a modest proposal.

You've never been obese. the disgusted faces happen daily to someone who is. My favorite is when it happens at the gym. I am doing the right thing, and steadily losing weight. Sorry if I'm not 'pretty' enough while doing it for some people :-)

I agree.

ctpeace

Ok, here's my response to everyone who's taken issue with what I've said:

I'm looking at things from an epidemiological perspective, which basically means when you see measurable significant increase in a health problem (whether or not you choose to call it a disease is up to you) over time, it's time to take a look at how that problem is being addressed (by individuals with the problem and by professionals), find out what's not working and try something new, ideally with the objective of finding something that works and can be replicated with the same results. The reality in the developed world today is that many societal factors have contributed to a continued trend towards higher percentages of obesity. I don't think any of you are arguing that the population at large has become progressively lazier or that self-control has naturally decreased overall over the past few decades (if you are, stop reading, we are not on the same logic train and you will not like what I have to say), so what gives? Yes, on a PERSONAL level, YOU have to make the decision, and continue to do so repeatedly, but for whatever reason(s), some already clear, others maybe not, there's an overall trend towards not making that decision. My point throughout this thread has been that it is entirely valid and important for the overall health of the develped societies most of us live in (otherwise you would likely not be on the internet often or need to lose weight and use a website to help you do that) for scientists to be looking for new ways to make healthy choices easier to make. I understand the "I had to walk to school in the snow, they should have to too" mentality, good for all of you for doing it the hard way, but how can researching ways to help others kick their unhealthy habits be so offensive to so many of you?

ambernbarrier

If we take a stab at working on those factors instead of just saying calling people mentally weak, we'll have a much better shot at helping them. Shaking your head and writing someone of as simply making bad choices, consciously moving themselves closer to death, never helped for smokers or heavy drinkers. Yes, choice is a part of it, but it's extremely important to continue the search for tools that make that choice more viable in people's minds.

Yet you're calling them mentally weak yourself by implying that people are incapable of deciding to take care of themselves unless someone invents a "tool" that influences them to "want" to take care of their health.

sad to say neither one of you are helping this thread. All you are doing is arguing. I ask that you all, please retread the initial post. This thread is to discuss, why people have such poor opinions of obese people, when there are soo many factors of reasons obesity is claiming the lives of millions. He is proposing that we as enlightened individuals, take a stand in, educating, and helping to reduce at least the most prominent establishments that are not helping to make people healthier. Because let's face it we all have our reasons for being obese. But most of us, simply are addicted to food. And it has a lot to do with tv commercials, poor nutrition knowledge, and the theme bigger is better. Also in case you haven't noticed we are all in the same boat. All people here are here for one reason. To get healthier. So please stop this arguing and become proactive in this discussion not negative. We get enough of that in our society. You never know who is going to read this thread, and how your comments will effect their weight loss and road to being healthy. Please lead by example. Be the change you want to see.

Not one business needs to be closed because of obesity.

We are not addicted to food. We like it, it's tasty, it also keeps us alive. That isn't addiction. It belittles people with real addictions and chemical dependencies to pretend we're all addicts because we enjoy food.

Your view is not the end of the discussion. It's one tiny voice among millions.

I have lead by example. I lost the weight. Even inspired others to do the same. No lawsuits, no legislation, no big brother monitoring everyone's lives.

speak for yourself I went through actual withdrawals much like a drug addict when I changed my diet. You have no idea what I personally went through. Night sweats, headaches, sick to my stomach etc. and no I wasn't sick, it was my body reacting to such a severe change. I still have to fight my addiction to fried foods.

kimberly6106

I honestly think food is not the root of the problem. Our society has gotten lazy and sedentary with easy access to everything. Our grandparents ate tons of lard and butter but had to work much harder and walk more places to live their day to day lives.

I agree 100% Desk jobs and our sedentary lifestyles are the real problem!

ambernbarrier

Ok, here's my response to everyone who's taken issue with what I've said:

I'm looking at things from an epidemiological perspective, which basically means when you see measurable significant increase in a health problem (whether or not you choose to call it a disease is up to you) over time, it's time to take a look at how that problem is being addressed (by individuals with the problem and by professionals), find out what's not working and try something new, ideally with the objective of finding something that works and can be replicated with the same results. The reality in the developed world today is that many societal factors have contributed to a continued trend towards higher percentages of obesity. I don't think any of you are arguing that the population at large has become progressively lazier or that self-control has naturally decreased overall over the past few decades (if you are, stop reading, we are not on the same logic train and you will not like what I have to say), so what gives? Yes, on a PERSONAL level, YOU have to make the decision, and continue to do so repeatedly, but for whatever reason(s), some already clear, others maybe not, there's an overall trend towards not making that decision. My point throughout this thread has been that it is entirely valid and important for the overall health of the develped societies most of us live in (otherwise you would likely not be on the internet often or need to lose weight and use a website to help you do that) for scientists to be looking for new ways to make healthy choices easier to make. I understand the "I had to walk to school in the snow, they should have to too" mentality, good for all of you for doing it the hard way, but how can researching ways to help others kick their unhealthy habits be so offensive to so many of you?

yes personal choices are 90 percent of the battle. And if you choose not to make a change, then it is your fault your not healthy. However if one is not properly informed, one can not make a proper decision. Everything else I agree.

BurtHuttz

I don't think Government intervention is necessarily the right idea, but I'd love it if everyone who coughs and shoots me dirty looks when I (like Brett) light up, would also make disgusted faces when obese people walk out of McDonalds, then we will make some positive progress in changing our culture from one of welcoming acceptance toward Obesity to fighting it for the scourge it really is.

I think that's a modest proposal.

You've never been obese. the disgusted faces happen daily to someone who is. My favorite is when it happens at the gym. I am doing the right thing, and steadily losing weight. Sorry if I'm not 'pretty' enough while doing it for some people :-)

I agree.

I've never been obese?!

Anyway, even though explaining a joke spoils a joke, the post that you quote above subtly cited Jonathan Swift's renowned piece of satire, "A Modest Proposal", which proposed that poor Irish should sell their children to the rich as food.

AIZZO4

I don't know what the REAL problem is but something has got to change. Genetics have something to do with it as well.

ambernbarrier

I honestly think food is not the root of the problem. Our society has gotten lazy and sedentary with easy access to everything. Our grandparents ate tons of lard and butter but had to work much harder and walk more places to live their day to day lives.

I agree 100% Desk jobs and our sedentary lifestyles are the real problem!

i have a desk job, that is not the problem. I have lost 26 pounds in less than 3 months still have a desk job. Knowledge about nutrition, and exercise is the issue.

ambernbarrier

I don't think Government intervention is necessarily the right idea, but I'd love it if everyone who coughs and shoots me dirty looks when I (like Brett) light up, would also make disgusted faces when obese people walk out of McDonalds, then we will make some positive progress in changing our culture from one of welcoming acceptance toward Obesity to fighting it for the scourge it really is.

I think that's a modest proposal.

You've never been obese. the disgusted faces happen daily to someone who is. My favorite is when it happens at the gym. I am doing the right thing, and steadily losing weight. Sorry if I'm not 'pretty' enough while doing it for some people :-)

I agree.

I've never been obese?!

Anyway, even though explaining a joke spoils a joke, the post that you quote above subtly cited Jonathan Swift's renowned piece of satire, "A Modest Proposal", which proposed that poor Irish should sell their children to the rich as food.

sorry I should have specified I was agreeing with you burt I quoted wrong post. Lol darn iPhone.

libertygirlfla

Economic influences contribute to obesity (low income areas have less access to fresh fruits and vegetables) and education hasn't been there for some people.
Depression, abuse, etc.. also lead to obesity. Substituting food for affection, feeding depression, etc.
It's easy to attack those you don't understand. You don't ridicule alcoholics or drug addicts for their choices, why is it so easy to do that to food addicts?

You would think that people on a website geared towards health and weight loss would be a bit more compassionate. I haven't seen that to be the case yet.

^^^^^Well said!

ambernbarrier

I don't know what the REAL problem is but something has got to change. Genetics have something to do with it as well.

yes some people are more prone to putting on weight than others. My husband makes me sick he can eat anything he wants and lose weight.

ambernbarrier

Economic influences contribute to obesity (low income areas have less access to fresh fruits and vegetables) and education hasn't been there for some people.
Depression, abuse, etc.. also lead to obesity. Substituting food for affection, feeding depression, etc.
It's easy to attack those you don't understand. You don't ridicule alcoholics or drug addicts for their choices, why is it so easy to do that to food addicts?

You would think that people on a website geared towards health and weight loss would be a bit more compassionate. I haven't seen that to be the case yet.

^^^^^Well said!

well said I concur with all the above.

BrettPGH

speak for yourself I went through actual withdrawals much like a drug addict when I changed my diet. You have no idea what I personally went through. Night sweats, headaches, sick to my stomach etc. and no I wasn't sick, it was my body reacting to such a severe change. I still have to fight my addiction to fried foods.

Yep. I was never fat. Not for my whole life. I've always been in shape and I'm just here to pick on people. I certainly didn't spend decades of my life eating so poorly it would make your head spin.


Real support isn't always telling people it's not their fault and food is to blame. Want to change your life? Take responsibility for it.