Fatshaming

[travelinterest]

After a conversation with friends, and with obesity (especially in young people) becoming a bigger crisis than smoking in our society, am I unreasonable to think that as we villanise smoking and drinking, should we fat shame more to encourage people to change their lifestyles. It's certainly worked with reducing smoking rates. Don't attack me (I've lost 2 stone). Just wondering why we target smoking more than fast food?

[Gwenhwyfar]

" France does a higher percentage of bariatric surgery than the UK. Maybe that's why there are less people who are obese."

The average person is slimmer and there are fewer overweight people so I don't think all the French overweight people are getting surgery before they become obese.

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

Thanks for the Japan and France tips !

Japan I can understand as their diet is so damn healthy
Anyone who eats miso soup , lean fish and pickles is onto a winner

The slender french mystify me actually . As PP said it’s easy to pig out in France . I think I would prefer Japan where the choices are so good rather than having to always ‘restrain’ as the French do

[pouraglasshalffull]

I think a large contributing factor is the price of unhealthy vs healthy foods. I'm about 2 stone overweight, not a great deal but is easier for me to go to the local shop and a buy a frozen meal deal (garlic bread, friend chicken, chips and big tub of ice cream) for £5 than it is to buy ingredients for a healthy meal. And in a time of financial struggles it is what I tend to do without realising

Also, a large part of my problem is me feeling shit about myself. I'm unmotivated and have serious self-esteem problems and it seems to be something that's holding me back as opposed to spurring me on

Any motivation tips would be appreciated

[Lethaldrizzle]

I've always thought healthy food was cheaper

[WithAFaeryHandInHand]

Healthy food is only cheaper if you meal plan and cook from scratch. If you have nothing planned and you nip into the shops to buy stuff for your evening meal, I can definitely understand the allure of a shitty food meal deal. No effort required.

I think meal planning and prepping in advance really helps.

I’ve also just joined Weight Watchers. I’m really not a fan of slimming clubs, but actually WW has improved a lot since I last did it. I think GPs can refer you (according to a thread I just saw on here). So it might even be free for some people through nhs? Don’t know.

Motivation; I like to keep a date in mind and that helps, but the biggest factor for me succeeding in losing weight in the past is definitely feeling happily distracted by something else. Starting a new, cool job, going to university, falling in love, starting a new hobby which I suddenly get obsessed by. Not motivation as such, but a tactic. Keep busy with something else you love.

[Biologifemini]

When I am in France I get put off my food within 24 hours of arriving. I work in Neuilly and frankly it is ridiculous- women have amazing self control and it is a thing in that area.
Basically everyone talks about weight and lunch involves meat and a mountain of salad.
I think if you are surrounded by thin people it kind of rubs off on you a bit. I certainly remember not to stuff pudding down me when I am there since everyone else isn’t!

[Jammysod]

So how many healthy diets do you think relentless bullying and shaming will result in?
What form do you suggest the shaming be in? Pointing & laughing in the street, public flogging, violence, crosses on people's doors?
Let's start it early...rather than trying to stop bullying in schools, let's promote it but only against fatties!
Be real. Yes, there is a problem but shaming people for it isn't the answer.

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

Basically everyone talks about weight and lunch involves meat and a mountain of salad

I remember working in France and same same

They ate yoghurt for breakfast and mounds and mounds Of salad

Then a small normal dinner

I can’t say that life style would suit me as they are so critical about it

[WhiteDust]

What form do you suggest the shaming be in? Pointing & laughing in the street, public flogging, violence, crosses on people's doors?

I was wondering the same!

Maybe supermarkets and shops could play their part & have a sign up saying:

'If you look like a fatty, please do not be offended if we ask you for proof of your weight/BMI when you attempt to buy any restricted high calorie product.
You will find that nearly every shelf in this store is full processed fat and sugar laden crap or alcohol. To save yourself from any embarrassment, stick to the fruit and vegetable isles.
The majority of our items are classified as a restricted high calorie product and by law, we cannot sell them to anyone who appears to be fat, a fatty or marginally overweight.
Thank you'

[Gaspodethetalkingdog]

First thing that would help is ban takeaways and/or put a 50% VAT rate on them. Takeaways encourage people to eat constantly and not cook for themselves.

Much of the food is very high in fat/sugar and goodness knows what other ingredients

[wrongendofthisdick]

I certainly remember not to stuff pudding down me when I am there since everyone else isn’t!

Yes, this figures (no pun intended!)

Studies bear this out:-

An experiment done at the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab confirmed the theory that people are less likely to stick to their own diet rules when eating with or near someone who is overweight

www.health24.com/Diet-and-nutrition/News/could-eating-with-fat-people-make-you-eat-more-20180130

[Badgers1111]

I’ve just read an article from France suggesting that most young people in that country still smoke. Is obesity worse than the effects of smoking? Just a thought.
Also on the issue of poor people being overweight, are they poor because they spend a larger proportion of their income on expensive convenience foods?

[Gwenhwyfar]

"Healthy food is only cheaper if you meal plan and cook from scratch. If you have nothing planned and you nip into the shops to buy stuff for your evening meal, I can definitely understand the allure of a shitty food meal deal. No effort required."

The amount of planning involved is HUGE though. If you look at Jack Monroe or one of the other cheap food bloggers, a meal for 50p a portion is only possible if you count the proportion of the price of something e.g. a jar of marmite or herbs and spices. In reality, you have to buy the whole thing and it only works out at the price they say if you finish it.

[Gwenhwyfar]

"I think if you are surrounded by thin people it kind of rubs off on you a bit."

Definitely and the opposite is also true unfortunately. People who are around overweight people are much more likely to be overweight themselves, to see that weight as normal and that way of eating as normal.

[Gwenhwyfar]

"are they poor because they spend a larger proportion of their income on expensive convenience foods?"

Obviously not, but I suppose you're being facetious.
If you're a higher rate taxpayer, having some junk food is not going to be enough to make you poor is it?

[Gilead]

Sorry but the excuses people
Make here
Really must let my consultant know that the peer reviewed evidence regarding weight gain and redistribution of fatty tissue when on high dose steroids is just an excuse...

[Categoric]

No one should bully anyone else for being obese. We should not however normalise obesity as a society. We need a sensible and respectful debate about healthy eating, sufficient exercise and the health problems arising from being over or underweight.

And can I ask that people stop over feeding other people’s children as a start? My nice, kind and well meaning relatives are constantly pushing sweets and snacks plus sugary drinks on my DC. They are perfectly well fed and it is just unnecessary. We do children no favours when we encourage them to expect treats all the time.

[Gwenhwyfar]

Categoric - maybe we need to find another way of giving 'treats' then. Giving gifts is a natural human thing and people use food to show love.

A few times recently, I've had to pick up a chocolate bar or something to get the Meal Deal in shops as they've refused to give me the discount for a drink and sandwich without the snack. That kind of thing should be stamped out and any kind of promotion or discounting of junk food.

[WithAFaeryHandInHand]

Surely there’s an option other than a chocolate bar though gwen? Where do you get these deals? Every one I’ve seen in the main shops has a good few options other than crisps or chocolate.

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

Really must let my consultant know that the peer reviewed evidence regarding weight gain and redistribution of fatty tissue when on high dose steroids is just an excuse...

I did say that many people
Have valid reasons

But read above . PP says she ‘has’ to have a chocolate bar when she gets a meal deal . Multiple excuses abound like this

[Ryderryder]

This wasn't the one but obesity is is on the rise in France too.

[user59589098]

My catalyst was the kindness of male friends, by which I mean they took the mickey out me for being fat and unfit. A health check at the doctor’s told me I was at risk of type 2 diabetes. It was really the comments from friends that forced me finally into to action. One of my more kindly mates remarked that I was a little portly. Others were frankly blunter. Bluster and jokes are pretty typical ways that men get serious points over, but behind it I could detect some genuine concern for my welfare

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/27/men-weight-type-2-diabetes