Being overweight is good? Wait, what?

That may be what the report says, but several obese people i know have used it to justify their obesity.

If you read everything and believe it, you apparently never read about the Mayan Calendar.

Having a little extra body fat is okay, but being 30%+ body fat isn't healthy. You are going to have markers of metabolic syndrome, such as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is correlated with many common diseases and conditions.

I've also been seeing quite a few people on facebook posting things like "Don't tell me I'm fat, that's "fat shaming" me!" and things like "if size 2 is beautiful, my size 22 must be divine!" and guys saying they will only date overweight and obese women.

I don't call people fat - it's rude. Don't care what I'm trying to do with MY body, it's rude to negatively comment on someone else's. Don't give a rat's *kitten* if someone says they feel prettier if they are overweight or that they prefer overweight partners. Their body, their preferences - ain't none of my business.

I think the voice of reason just stepped into the world...

I've also been seeing quite a few people on facebook posting things like "Don't tell me I'm fat, that's "fat shaming" me!" and things like "if size 2 is beautiful, my size 22 must be divine!" and guys saying they will only date overweight and obese women.

I don't call people fat - it's rude. Don't care what I'm trying to do with MY body, it's rude to negatively comment on someone else's. Don't give a rat's *kitten* if someone says they feel prettier if they are overweight or that they prefer overweight partners. Their body, their preferences - ain't none of my business.

I think the voice of reason just stepped into the world...

This!!

People are full of excuses... :eyeroll:

I agree with all of you--that's why we're logging our food and exercising---'cause we want to get healthier. I was at 50% BF (morbidly obese) when I started my journey two years ago and have lost 50 pounds (only 15 of them since I joined MFP), 8 inches off my waist and am down to 32% BF. That's still technically "obese" but I'm determined to get out of that category over the next six months. I want to get to 25% in a year or so but I will be patient. Even at 25%, I will likely be a little plump but I think that is likely what the doctors were talking about when they said those who are "overweight" live longer. Someone who is a little plump is probably better nourished that those who are excessively thin through following crazy diets or some such. Just talked to a woman who lost her best friend to cancer. She said that she always knew that the friend would die young because she was always following some weird diet and that she was super thin anyway.

If we would agree with that study we wouldn't be here trying to lose weight, right?

Everybody has the right to be fat, skinny or whateverr they chose to be.
I just know that I feel uncomfortable when I sit in my recliner and my stomach feels like it is in my way, so I know eactly when I hit the point when I have to lose that weight that makes me uncomfortable.

And to be honest, don' we all know that not being overweight is healthier for our joints, heart, blood pressure etc. etc.?

Obesity begins in the home. That's where we need to begin the fight -- with childhood. I am a teacher, and I will be teaching health to 6th graders next quarter. The focus, for us, will be on nutrition. I make them do a full blown research project on all types of fast food, making them aware of what exactly they are putting into their bodies. I'm not telling them HOW or WHAT to eat, but I am letting them know how their bodies react to bad food.

Be verrry careful about what you define as "bad". My 11 year old daughter's teacher taught a nutrition curriculum, and told the class that any food with fat in it was "bad". My daughter, already a bit under weight, began an eating disorder, thanks to this. She would read labels constantly, and if they showed even a 1% fat content, she didn't eat it. She lost 20 lbs. in 3 months and we had to take her to a pediatric dietician to de-program her. It was every parent's nightmare.

Thanks for the heads up. No, I make it a point to say "This is what your age group requires daily in the following groups: X calories, X fat grams, X sodium mg, X sugars, etc." I also teach them how to read a food label, calculate the number of servings per whatever it is they are eating, the importance of the nutrients IN the food (all part of what they learn during the cell unit - since nutrients end up in the cells), and the importance of exercise. (Last year, we even ended up doing a Zumba flash mob for the rest of the school at the talent show -- it was a blast!)

We do a lot of math and I put the focus on eating RIGHT, not eating LESS. Oh my, I think what that teacher did was wrong. I certainly do not want any student taking it to the extreme, but I appreciate the reminder that teachers can have a powerful influence over children, even in unharmful ways!

Oh, one other thing. One of the worst things a teacher can bring into their classroom is their own personal opinions about whatever it is they're teaching. Even though I am a big believer in healthy eating choices, I am GF and love to exercise, I do NOT make it a point to preach to my students. They know I love to exercise, they know how I feel about eating right, because they see me "walking the walking". And they know I'm GF because I politely refuse all the birthday cookies and treats they bring in and offer me. But, I don't shove my opinions down their throats, either.

Obesity begins in the home. That's where we need to begin the fight -- with childhood. I am a teacher, and I will be teaching health to 6th graders next quarter. The focus, for us, will be on nutrition. I make them do a full blown research project on all types of fast food, making them aware of what exactly they are putting into their bodies. I'm not telling them HOW or WHAT to eat, but I am letting them know how their bodies react to bad food.

Be verrry careful about what you define as "bad". My 11 year old daughter's teacher taught a nutrition curriculum, and told the class that any food with fat in it was "bad". My daughter, already a bit under weight, began an eating disorder, thanks to this. She would read labels constantly, and if they showed even a 1% fat content, she didn't eat it. She lost 20 lbs. in 3 months and we had to take her to a pediatric dietician to de-program her. It was every parent's nightmare.

Thanks for the heads up. No, I make it a point to say "This is what your age group requires daily in the following groups: X calories, X fat grams, X sodium mg, X sugars, etc." I also teach them how to read a food label, calculate the number of servings per whatever it is they are eating, the importance of the nutrients IN the food (all part of what they learn during the cell unit - since nutrients end up in the cells), and the importance of exercise. (Last year, we even ended up doing a Zumba flash mob for the rest of the school at the talent show -- it was a blast!)

We do a lot of math and I put the focus on eating RIGHT, not eating LESS. Oh my, I think what that teacher did was wrong. I certainly do not want any student taking it to the extreme, but I appreciate the reminder that teachers can have a powerful influence over children, even in unharmful ways!

Oh, one other thing. One of the worst things a teacher can bring into their classroom is their own personal opinions about whatever it is they're teaching. Even though I am a big believer in healthy eating choices, I am GF and love to exercise, I do NOT make it a point to preach to my students. They know I love to exercise, they know how I feel about eating right, because they see me "walking the walking". And they know I'm GF because I politely refuse all the birthday cookies and treats they bring in and offer me. But, I don't shove my opinions down their throats, either.

We need more teachers like you. :flowerforyou:

Obesity begins in the home. That's where we need to begin the fight -- with childhood. I am a teacher, and I will be teaching health to 6th graders next quarter. The focus, for us, will be on nutrition. I make them do a full blown research project on all types of fast food, making them aware of what exactly they are putting into their bodies. I'm not telling them HOW or WHAT to eat, but I am letting them know how their bodies react to bad food.

Be verrry careful about what you define as "bad". My 11 year old daughter's teacher taught a nutrition curriculum, and told the class that any food with fat in it was "bad". My daughter, already a bit under weight, began an eating disorder, thanks to this. She would read labels constantly, and if they showed even a 1% fat content, she didn't eat it. She lost 20 lbs. in 3 months and we had to take her to a pediatric dietician to de-program her. It was every parent's nightmare.

Thanks for the heads up. No, I make it a point to say "This is what your age group requires daily in the following groups: X calories, X fat grams, X sodium mg, X sugars, etc." I also teach them how to read a food label, calculate the number of servings per whatever it is they are eating, the importance of the nutrients IN the food (all part of what they learn during the cell unit - since nutrients end up in the cells), and the importance of exercise. (Last year, we even ended up doing a Zumba flash mob for the rest of the school at the talent show -- it was a blast!)

We do a lot of math and I put the focus on eating RIGHT, not eating LESS. Oh my, I think what that teacher did was wrong. I certainly do not want any student taking it to the extreme, but I appreciate the reminder that teachers can have a powerful influence over children, even in unharmful ways!

Oh, one other thing. One of the worst things a teacher can bring into their classroom is their own personal opinions about whatever it is they're teaching. Even though I am a big believer in healthy eating choices, I am GF and love to exercise, I do NOT make it a point to preach to my students. They know I love to exercise, they know how I feel about eating right, because they see me "walking the walking". And they know I'm GF because I politely refuse all the birthday cookies and treats they bring in and offer me. But, I don't shove my opinions down their throats, either.

Fast food is not inherently "bad" either, I'm not sure why you'd emphasize that. The problem with fast food is the encouragement toward giant portions, supersizing, and overconsumption. At the end of the day, you can get unhealthily obese eating "healthy" meals prepared with love at home (or an expensive restaurant, for that matter) if you are eating too much, and stay in excellent shape eating a significant percentage of your diet from fast food if you make intelligent choices about what foods and portions you consume.

Overweight is not the same thing as obesity, which starts, I think, at about 31% body fat.

This is why I engage very little in the forums here and mostly use MFP for the tools. The rampant body shaming is just so disheartening.

The only body you need to worry about is yours. You have no right to an opinion about anyone else's. No, not even if you're just ~worried about their health, because let me tell you, you're really not. You're making a judgement about someone based on what you can see and what you have been taught is bad and unhealthy. I would suggest that you read up on healthism and medicalization, but I know that in general, the MFP forums are not big on progressive thought.

Being fat is not bad or good. A person's size and shape have absolutely no bearing on their morality. Obesity is not a problem for you to fight for others. It is not a virus to be eradicated. If you're worried about it for yourself, deal with it for yourself and then let it be. You don't need to worry that fat people are being coddled. Believe me, we really, really aren't. By all means, do not coddle fatties about their weight. But also, by all means, shut the **** up about it, period. It's not your business. Go live your own life. If someone only wants to date fat people, that is fine. If someone thinks their size 22 is divine, that is fine. If someone asks that you not call them fat, THAT IS MORE THAN FINE. That is a request for human decency. Accomodate it.

I agree with you when it comes to adults. I completely disagree with you when it comes to childhood obesity. That IS our issue - because our children are our country's future. When 8 year olds are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, only because they are 50 lbs overweight for their age and height, then that IS a problem. And yes, as a health teacher, it is MY job to inform children of proper nutrition, because I am guided by the curriculum of the state and my diocese. So, I will continue to address it in my classrooms, and endorse it with my students, because it is my business. If I can get children to think about their futures, and what they are eating that can positively or negatively influence their health, darn right I'm going to tell them how to live long and be healthy. AND, the best way we can help our children is by becoming the role models they need to see.

In the USA, Medicare is funded how?

Oh yeah, yes, I care when people are fat and don't care. It costs ME more money in an already stressed system. I HATE IT with every fiber in my body, and then a healthy person gets something, and can't get any coverage because all the fat people have spent all the Goddamn money...drained the account dry.