To think Prejudice against fat people is NOT as bad as racism.

[goodnessgracious]

To think the article in the Times today claiming that prejudice against fat people is as bad as racism and that it is one of the last socially acceptable forms of prejudice is ridiculous.

Firstly, obesity is normally caused by an addiction and has health implications for the obese person and further implications on society as whole. How can this be compared to racism in any way?

Also, it is not the last socially acceptable form of prejudice because I believe society is just as (if not more) prejudiced against smokers, alcoholics and gamblers and all people with addictions which have costs toward society.

AIBU to think that although it is not right to be prejudice against obese people it is ridiculous to compare it to racism.

Copied article extract below...

"Prejudice against fat people as bad as racism, say scientists "Dr Jackson said that prejudice against overweight people pervaded society and needed to be challenged. “People think it’s one of the last socially acceptable forms of prejudice. You just have to look at the comments section on media reports on obesity to see that obese people are subjected to labelling and even abuse and attack.”

Alsoflamingo - it isn't a life choice - it is a physical situation borne out of several possible causes - some just overeating , some with eating disorders, some with medical causes, some genetic causes, some due to physical conditions preventing exercise. The problem is it is immediately assumed you are greedy and lazy and that that excuses (and even if a person is greedy and lazy - there is no excuse) behaving horribly towards that person.

Ps I am not saying it is comparable to racism - I don't think they are comparable.

But just because racism exists it does not mean that being abusive to fat people is in any way acceptable nor productive - if you want a sensible discussion it should be done with empathy - being fat and dealing with food is a very emotional thing whatever the cause - loosing weight for some really isn't as easy for some as it is for others so being so flippant about it, coupled with mean or thoughtless comments will mean that the discussion turns offensive and we just end up with a fight rather than a discussion.

But just because racism exists it does not mean that being abusive to fat people is in any way acceptable nor productive

Nobody has said any different. I haven't heard a single person say that being abusive to fat people is either acceptable or productive. Plenty of people have said that prejudice against fat people is not the same as racism. That statement in no way suggests that fat shaming is okay.

any kind me prejudice should be unacceptable.

my sister is a my body is a temple type of person and recently told my seven year old how much she hates fat people and anyone who eats junk food that makes you fat is disgusting. my dd who really looks up to my sister promptly declared herself on a diet. i still Am really annoyed. I had to reiterate my whole belief in everything in moderation and watch my dd eat a biscuit while saying I hope this doesn't make me fat. some damage control being done at the moment to hope my poor child doesn't end up with food issues because of a skinny person with their own issues. would rather be fat thanks.

Sorry Maddening, but it really is a life choice in the vast majority of cases… The percentage of overweight people who genuinely can't help it (because of genetic issues or whatever) is tiny.

In the vast majority of cases people are overweight because they eat rubbish, too much of it - and don't take enough exercise. It's not rocket science.

And as such, that is their 'choice'. No one is forcing Big Macs down their throats. I'm not trying to be cruel and am not suggesting that it is acceptable in any way to make rude comments at overweight people, but trying to deny that obvious truth is just absurd.

I don't agree. It has been found that sugar is as additive as cocaine. It is like Paul G around alcohol. They just cannot resist.

Bollocks. Again, there's no place for rudeness or insults, but it's very clearly the case that eating too much and the wrong things, combined with nut enough exercise, leads to obesity. There is a shit-load of study and understanding to support that. Changing habits can of course be bloody hard and may well need specialised support in severe cases, but it's still possible and it IS something that generally can be changed.

alsoflamingo

I love the way that you have declared a fact not linking to any research and then have gone straight for a stereo type.

UncleT

if there is a "shit-load of study" why haven't you linked to it?

Do you seriously need a link to a study to convince you that eating too much/junk food and not taking enough exercise causes in obesity??? Surely not.

Typo sorry (on phone).

Causes obesity.

Anyway - surely statement of the bleeding obvious.

Probably because 2 seconds and a computer does the trick for you just as well. Are you seriously suggesting that overeating, unhealthy eating and lack of exercise don't combine to be leading reasons for obesity?

I agree that prejudice against you obesity is harmful, but approving of obesity and patronising overweight people is also harmful.

We need to find the most effective way to enable people to take good care of their health.

The factors that lead to obesity are multiple, rates of obesity are rising this strongly suggests that modern life is becoming ever more obesogenic.

This is not a linear process, obesity has increased exponentially, afaik the fatter you the easier it is to become even fatter, it becomes a feedback loop.

Yes, there are many factors. However, the fact is that fat comes from calories.

The intake of, that is.

No one would deny that but appetite regulation is a complex system which becomes disordered when a person is obese.
When slim we have a good deal of control over what we eat, when obese and subject to craving and compulsion it is far harder to regulate food intake and energy expenditure.

Imo one of the main problems is that it is now normal to be fat, even people who consider themselves slim often have more visceral adipose tissue than is good for them

Yup, as I said before, it can be very tough indeed, but ultimately it's controllable.

Tbh I can only see things getting worse, I can't see how the problem can be solved, there appears to be a perfect storm of obesogenic factors in operation.
Yes people can control themselves, in theory but in practice most of us continue to eat too much of the wrong food and not exercise enough.

Racism, sexism etc is more than shouting abuse, it is not having equal opportunities even when completely qualified or more so. Abuse and bullying is wrong but being extremely overweight does have limits and needs to be addressed without fear of a label similar to being a racist as we have overweight/ obese and morbidly obese children. As a society this needs to be addressed and not swept under the carpet through fear. People who shout abuse are bullies and I would like stronger laws against verbal abuse.

Not similar

Alsoflamingo

You have put forward numbers and theories that you say backed by research, I would like you to provide the research for your "Facts".

Or are you just making the percentages up?

I don't remember mentioning any research or giving any precise percentage figures.

My point is that people need to take responsibility for their lifestyles and can't endlessly play the victim.

Every time we open our mouths and put something in it we are making a free choice. And everyone knows pretty much what constitutes healthy/unhealthy eating.

66% of people can't though, can they? It's because of the addiction to the foods which they continue to eat even if they aren't hungry. It is like going out to buy vodka when there's no alcohol in the house and you're an alcoholic. If you don't have those addictive genes you can't understand it. You say the heroin addict or alcoholic should just say no. One of my sons has absolute control over what he eats and cannot understand why others don't. It's very interesting to see the differences. He could keep chocolate from Easter in the house for 4 months. He can choose to lose a stone or put one one and just makes that decision. That is not the case for most people.

The point about addiction is it is not free choice. They eat one cake and then have 2 more etc.

Very true about sugar and addiction. Agree it is a massive issue and needs to be addressed, I just worry that people are so careful not to offend/hurt feelings etc that the reality of size is often not tackled. As more and more people gain weight it appears 'normal' and it is even easier not to notice the scale if the problem. Do we really want to become like the US? The trouble with food is that you can't 'give it up' as you can alcohol or heroin so moderation has to be achieved somehow.