That Embarrassing Fat Bodies is really about taking the piss out of overweight folk

[twitchycurtains]

rather than any kind of serious documentary or informative programme. I happen to catch a couple of repeats over Christmas period and noticed its back on again tonight.

From the show's I have seen it seems to be more about showing seriously obese people naked for the viewing pleasure of all the non overweight or the not-as-overweight folk, more than a tad voyeauristic and encouraging the whole "oooh look how disgusting/freaky they look" attitude that is common place these days towards overweight people/

disclosure: I am overweight by 2.5, had a baby recently (3 months ago) and haven't lost the baby weight and may have added to it somewhat over christmas.

I am fully prepared to be told that I am u, however I just think this programme tries to disguise itself as educational when all its doing is adding to the taunts and piss-taking fat people have to put up with.

And B R E A T H E....

Is that the one which features the operations? If so, yes, it probably is a bit voyeuristic (as all reality tv is), but I think it's good from the standpoint of letting people know more about the operations available - and the positive and negative points surrounding them.

I agree. I always find that documentaries about fat people have a more lighthearted tone compared to those around skinny people, which are always treated with utmost seriousness.

I had the same feeling when I watched "Supersize v superskinny".
Weighing them, filming them wearing just their vest and pants doesn't help.

It's like they are saying....
Hey - have a look at how fat this man/lady it.
And hey - while you're at it, how scrawny is this person too?

But the question remains....who goes on these programmes? They must know how they are going to be portrayed.

I agree that these programmes are just freak shows.

But I dont see any of these people having a gun put to their heads to go on the shows, they appear to do be doing it off their own free will.

If it is so embarassing, why do they feel the need to put themselves into the scrutiny and potential ridicule of the entire nation...

Why do you watch it? What do you get out of it?

That isn't meant to sound aggressive btw, just wondering what your reasons for watching it were.

"they appear to do be doing it off their own free will."

I agree, but to a point is there not an element of wanting help, in any form available? I think when people of both extremes turn to reality TV instead of a medical professional (GP or dietitian for example) it could be an indicator that there's not enough real help and people will cling to whatever is promised by the person putting together the show; expert help etc.

I've got it on now. That doctors reaction to a man who has excess skin following fantastic weight loss is appalling. If I reacted that way I'd certainly expect a complaint to be winging its way to me. And rightly so. I've previously watched this and thought it was helpful in encouraging people to go to GPs but her reaction would be very discouraging.

I loathe the way in media a non-slim person is always described as 'stuffing' food into their mouth, 'troughing food', 'gorging themselves' or 'shovelling in food' when in actual fact they are just eating.
Everyone does it - even slim people

I think (not entirely sure but judging by what I have seen) in return for going on these programmes they get access to expensive medical/cosmetic treatment/surgery that they wouldn't normally have access to or have to wait a long time to access. I know no one forces the particpants to go on the show but it just seems to be so geared towards trying to get them as naked as possible. Do we need to see them having an internal? or more to the point what is the real reason behind showing their genitals other than to add to shock factor. What exactly is awareness raising about showing an overweight womans pubic area on primetime tv?! Overweight people get so much stick nowadays and I think prgrammes like this add to it.

dexter73The first time was when DH who is a constant 'flicker' was flitting through all the channels he came across the show and left it on. With a newborn that gets up and keeps me up at all hours I found myself watching other episodes. Guess the anger and irritation help keeps me awake through those night feeds.

Just a freak show that is being dressed up to be something worthy because there happens to be a doctor about ...

Can I just add, slim people are getting more stick nowadays also- it seems completely acceptable to call someone "skinny", but not "fat".

I don't necessarily agree with the voyeuristic element involved in the show, but tv shows like this are designed to shock and intrigue, aren't they?

ive noticed on weight loss shows in general it seems perfectly acceptable to show overweight people in their underwear, all the better to see every roll of fat. Worse yet on for example a year to save my life they get shown completely naked and showering or being assisted in washing themselves.

Now i actually think thats a good show with a healthy and longterm focus on helping one individual at a time to completely re make their lives but the start is just another show dehumanising these people for entertainment sake.

you will notice that its very rare to have an after picture in the same underwear/swimwear as the before . The subject gets to be fully dressed as they are now no longer the freak show, grinds my gears

The tummy tuck is fascinating.

I think people go on this programe after losing huge amounts of weight is to get free surgery. The NHS won't pay for it in most regions (not getting into the rights or wrongs of that!) so for the small amount of time of humiliation you could get a free tummy tuck or full body lift which could cost up to £10k

I think you have a valid point, but why just apply it to the 'fat' version of the programme and not the programme as a whole?

I've seen a little of the usual series, not much because I don't like it, but I though all of the conditions they showed could lead to the patients feeling like they were a freak show. Hence the title Embarrassing bodies.

Are the things they show in the 'fat' series very different to the things shown in the other series?

I actually find the more voyeuristic fat person programmes very useful - they make me harden my resolve to lose weight. I watch them when I feel myself weakening - I have several dress sizes to lose and am prone to snacking. These programmes work for people like me the way warnings on fag packets work on people trying to quit smoking.

Is that the one with "Dr" Christian in it? He's a nob anyway and brings out my RAGE.

Honestly I think YABU

I have been ridiculed for years about being 'skinny' - a very offensive term btw - and everyone seems to think that is just fine. The attitude to the 'skinny' is horrendous from real people (as in outside of the media in day to day life). Especially from women, usually mums. Where as in reality (and seen ALL over MN) there is a lot of 'Oh be nice to fat people, oh don't say anything to them in case it is deemed mean, oh of course being totally over weight is absolutely FINE but being skinny is TERRIBLE'

The show shows no more than it does in the normal series. It is encouraging people to lose weight and showing them, from a health point of view, why they need to lose it. These days we don't like to speak of the reality of being over or underweight. These shows are trying to show us that actually, it's not a case of trying to spare someone's feelings. There are serious health and lifestyle risks. As the show stated yesterday, 40% of Britain are predicted to be obese by 20??. I think it is not hard to believe when you see some of the attitudes on here. People are losing touch with what overweight actually looks like. I still get ridiculed for being 'skinny' despite being in the top half of the 'healthy weight' section and clearly being unfit. (I can't run for sh*t...). The attitude towards BMI on here is shocking too. It is a good way of telling weight. Bone size does not make a huge difference. Only a few women will be seriously affected by having HUGE boobs, the people with good solid muscles know that they will weigh a bit more with it. It is only a bad measurement on rare occasions.

It's not weight that I have a problem with, it's people's attitude towards it that I have a problem with and why I think these programs are a good shock factor. We all know what weight looks like. I don't get shocked by the weight on the people, but by the difficulties they are having as a result.

I really don't care if I get flamed for this.

TheRats I totally agree with you.

YANBU.... ALL of these documentaries about people with deformities or whatever are really the modern equivalent of the Victorian freak show. Roll up! Roll up! See the bearded lady....