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Original poster

Overweight issue - debate

179 replies

DSM · 10/10/2013 15:42

I've been thinking about this a bit recently, with the 'fat shaming' (which, as any other kind of 'shaming', is vile) and I have a couple of Facebook friends who have posted articles where basically they are justifying being overweight by using the 'my body my choice' line.

I'm conflicted.

First, I absolutely am a feminist and absolutely agree that no person should have to conform to any societal ideal, on anything.

However, I don't think it is 'okay' to be obese, and I don't think it should necessarily be a feminist issue. Both men and women who are obese are unhealthy. Fit people are not obese. I realise, it is not always a choice and there are a lot of people for whom obesity is a medical issue (my sister is one of them) but I certainly wouldn't expect those people to encourage others to be obese, or not tackle their obesity, by affiliating it alongside other feminist principles.

Thoughts?

OP posts:
CaptChaos · 10/10/2013 16:05

Obesity itself is fairly subjective.

My DH is clinically obese according to the BMI, and yet, is as fit as a flea. I was clinically obese according to the BMI when playing sport at international level.

There are better indicators of physical healthiness, and none of them start with an appreciation or otherwise of a body by someone who isn't specifically medically trained.

SinisterSal · 10/10/2013 15:55

You will have people coming along to say we are naturally attracted to the young and healthy because that's the template for healthy genes.
I guess there is something to that, on a very basic level.
Or more accurately, I don't know how to counter it, more than I believe it Wink

Original poster
DSM · 10/10/2013 15:50

I think that's my point.

Attractiveness is not the same as healthiness. And they are being conflated.

I HATE the 'fat people are ugly' stuff, obviously, but I don't know that 'reclaiming' this back, as an obese person, is justification for being in an unhealthy state.

OP posts:
SinisterSal · 10/10/2013 15:46

It may not be ok healthwise to be obese, but as you (general) are only qualified to assess how attractive or not I am to you, not how healthy I am STFU, world.

Two different issues and it's awful to see the way they are being conflated. It just provides cover for bashing