To think the majority of you are fatphobic?

[Beebee8]

Just that.

@Wannabefarmer thank you! Didn't realise people would be so pedantic. It's the correct term anyway!

'Obesity is a bad thing. Alcoholism is a bad thing. Addiction is a bad thing. Chain smoking is a bad thing. Heart or lung disease are bad things. None of that is shameful, they're all just problems that we should try to overcome, not things that need embracing with positivity movements.'

Yes, I wouldn't insult an overweight person obviously but it is a health issue. We could all be fat, 'comfort eating' is just greed and like smokers and alcoholics plain talking is needed.

I don't think it is fatphobia to say obesity is a huge drain on the NHS and needs urgent action.

@SparkLee can I ask how old you are ?

Thank you for the understanding, OP. I will look into those things, but in all honesty I don't think it will change anything. frumpety I am early 30s.

'comfort eating' is just greed that is extremely hurtful.

YANBU.

Fatshaming is endemic and encouraged in today's society.

I don't drink, smoke, do drugs. I walk or bike pretty much everywhere, stay out of the sun, eat pretty healthily, get plenty of sleep, guard my mental health as much as I can and am generally pretty happy person.

But, I'm overweight (probably by about 2 st) so therefore any and all health problems I have are my own fault and would obviously 'evaporate' if I lost weight. Even though I've had them since before I was overweight and even though they are contributory factors to my weightgain.

I don't think it is fatphobia to say obesity is a huge drain on the NHS and needs urgent action.

You are right to a certain degree, age is of course the main risk factor for cancer, the older you get, the more likely you are to get cancer, it is the single biggest risk factor. The more older people you have , the larger the 'drain' on the NHS. Does this need urgent action ? A cull perhaps ? or possibly more money spent on research and treatment ?

'comfort eating' is just greed that is extremely hurtful.'

I'm sorry, I don't want to hurt you but it is true. We don't say heavy drinkers are 'comfort drinking', we call it what it is. Over eating should be discussed just as honestly.

Of course there are mental health issues involved with some, but with most it is purely eating too much. I think there is an intolerance to it in the same way people don't excuse heavy drinking.

Comfort eating isn't just greed for me. It's a compulsion to eat and eat and eat until I'm beyond full just to dull the pain of my self loathing for maybe an hour or two but then I hate myself a bit more for being so weak and that combined with knowing how revolting I am makes me want to eat more. I dont need educating about how terrible it is for me to be the size I am. I already know and I despise myself.

In moments of clarity I know that I'm a good person, kind, loving and hard working. I try to be a good friend. My kids adore me and my husband loves me.

But the comments people have made and the names I've been called by complete strangers keep me awake at night. I've been shouted at in the street, verbally abused in clubs and pubs, sniggered at in the gym. You name it. Then I read threads on here, I can't help myself because reading how disgusting people like me are is another compulsion. I read about how Im less deserving of kindness and respect because I carry excess body fat and I hate myself that little bit more. How I need educating because omg I'm massive drain on the NHS so I now avoid going to my GP almost entirely.

My fat disgusts no one more than myself.

Loads of people who drink too much are comforting themselves through alcohol.

'The more older people you have , the larger the 'drain' on the NHS. Does this need urgent action ? A cull perhaps ? or possibly more money spent on research and treatment ?'

What a disgusting comment. Age is of course out of everyone's control.

I really don't think people are fat phobic but I do think it's difficult to have a balanced conversation about weight without people getting touchy. To an extent it is no-ones business, but we do need more education around it and it's impact both on individuals and society. The insinuation was that people don't realise that some individuals can't help their weight. I don't think the majority of people think it's easy. There may be health reasons that lead to it or make it hard to reverse. For others it won't be linked to a health issue but may become one in time. Recognising the health issue isn't fat phobic, nor is discussing the strain on the NHS. Treating people badly because of their weight is unacceptable though.

Well yes I'm fatphobic in the way I'm smokingphobic or theftphobic

@Beebee8

This is a genuine question. Am I wrong? All I see is thread after thread with people showing complete ignorance re: health in relation to weight.

Yes, I agree.

There was one about how if you're overweight, you won't be as good at your job. ... oh and you won't get a decent husband.

Really bizarre. For posters who are usually so concerned to be right on. ...

You’re describing an eating disorder that needs help and therapy to recover. Exactly the same as a drug addict or smoker or alcoholic might.

None of those people should be shamed, but the others I’ve described also have compulsive behaviour and are shamed as much if not more.

I hope you can get help and feel better soon; definitely for your mood fundamentally as you sound so unhappy.

I'm sorry, I don't want to hurt you but it is true. We don't say heavy drinkers are 'comfort drinking', we call it what it is. Over eating should be discussed just as honestly.

This shows such a lack of insight, understanding and knowledge it's laughable.

Are you saying that alcoholics are just greedy? Please go and educate yourself before you come on here and spout such shite.

@GlittercheeksOakleaf I'm so sorry you feel this way.

Well yes I'm fatphobic in the way I'm smokingphobic or theftphobic

Your comparing overweight people to thieves?

No I'm just saying I'm against things that are bad or undesirable. Unless you're saying being fat is something to aspire to?

I think this is true though! Don’t jonis how to quote the poster, but what’s wrong with this?

I'm sorry, I don't want to hurt you but it is true. We don't say heavy drinkers are 'comfort drinking', we call it what it is. Over eating should be discussed just as honestly.

Surely over eating to obesity IS comparable to other destructive behaviours like drug abuse or alcohol abuse? And shouldn’t be “shamed” but treated?

Jonis?? Know!

It isn't a disgusting comment , the simple fact of the matter is, age is the single biggest risk factor for ill health caused by cancer. I would personally say that increasing the amount of money for research and treatment would have a positive effect on this unfortunate fact.
Spending more money on the research and treatment for those who are increasing their risks of ill health due to weight gain
would also have a positive effect.
If you look at the replies on MN when someone is asking for dietry advice there is a whole myriad of responses from low fat/low carb/lose weight fast/lose weight slowly/ you can lose weight on 1800kcals a day to you can lose weight on 800kcals a day. A lot of diet advice is ancient and based on very flawed and biased research.

I'm fat and there is nothing positive about it at all. I'm not curvy or 'a real woman', I am fat, obese, overweight and unhealthy. I would not be offended for someone to call me any of those terms because they are correct. I am fat because I eat too much and don't move enough. My weight and size are not ok for me, and pretending they are does no one any favours.

Beryl you obviously have no idea what it's like to have a compulsive eating disorder (or an alcohol addiction, it would seem), you have no idea what drives people to over eat, which by the way can be classed as a form of self-harm. You've no idea what has happened to them in their lives that has driven them to use food as comfort. No, you just see the 'greed'. Not the self loathing, not the misery, not the fucking failure, just the 'greed' which you have dressed up as faux concern. You don't have a clue about the struggle so perhaps just show a bit of kindness in stead of being so hurtful about issues you don't understand. Fuck, I don't know why I come onto these threads they just end up upsetting me.

I'm hoping all these lovely slim mumsnetters are never dealt a different hand. That they never find themselves unable to maintain their perfect weight due to a mental or physical health issue, or through poverty, or through any other set of circumstances outside their control.

If you are suffering from any addiction you can't control that is detrimental to your life food, drink, drugs, professional help is needed. There are many set ups for over eat anonymous.
Every addict is suffering, hiding from reality it needs to be treated and discussed as an addictive illness and not a taboo subject, the layering is the same with OEA.AA.NA.