To think that people pretend not to understand obesity

[Mezzoprezzo]

After 30 plus years of failed diets I've recently started on mounjaro. Because I've placed an order and spent weeks searching stuff about weight loss medication, my Facebook feed is full of adverts from suppliers, many of which use vlogs from real clients who have lost weight. And the vast majority of comments are along the lines of, couldn't you just eat less, haven't you heard of exercise, why not just stop eating crap etc. Surely people are faking ignorance to have the fun of fat bashing. Obesity is rife! Everyone knows someone who struggles with their weight and who talks openly about it. I and every other obese person I know have tried every diet under the sun. Walk into any gym and you'll see a fair number of larger people trying bloody hard. And I know someone's going to reply to this post by talking about an obese friend who they once saw eating an entire packet of biscuits. Well numerous times I've given in to the overwhelming urge to do that too. And hated myself afterwards. It's part of the horrible condition. People have got eyes and ears and they seriously know full bloody well how hard obese people try to lose weight. They just pretend not to so they can have the fun of hating.

I tried to find an article I read previously that was really interesting on the subject of genetics and some research that has taken place on the ALK gene. Very interesting genetic discoveries being made about the role of genes and body size. It involved a large sample bio bank study, a mouse study and fruit fly study. I couldn’t find the exact article but here is a similar one reporting on the same. The other article described the research findings as the mice with ‘a superpower to stay skinny no matter how much they ate’, and the food tested was high cals/ fat they described as the equivalent of ‘a McDonalds a day diet’.

Apparently the mice who did NOT have the ALK gene that ate this high calorie diet stayed thin no matter how much they ate, including super unhealthy fast foods, while their ALK (activated) litter mates became obese.

It seems ALK inhibitors are already used in cancer treatment (as there is a link there) but they are discovering the role the gene plays in weight and metabolism too. The other article I read said something about the removal of this gene also did not negatively impact muscle mass loss as such can happen with losing weight.

I have a similar DH who eats like a horse and stays a stable, slim healthy BMI. Whereas my weight has always been a battle. Even when I was slim I had to work hard to stay there, until I got ill and then nothing worked.

Maybe our DH’s lack this ALK gene! And others who stay slim no matter how much they eat. There is a lot of genetics and hormonal governing going on n our bodies beneath the currents.

People can make dietary choices but it is not the whole picture. Obesity is complex but I think there is a lot of fear fuelling people’s prejudice, they don’t want to believe significant weight gain might just happen to them one day and they may face the same barriers of being able to shift it. Seems to impact a lot of women at menopause and it’s because of all the hormones going up the wonk and metabolic slump.

Sorry, here’s the article mentioned above:

https://www.labroots.com/trending/genetics-and-genomics/17687/alk-skinny-gene?srsltid=AfmBOorJafbHfPau2BEFo2v4VR9M5xA_P1u1DXnHfk9mgyP7IvjVeUDb

Same here with the prejudice Ohio. It really sucks ☹️ I’m not perfect in my diet as I’m sure most aren’t, but predominantly have home made healthy, drink loads of water due to my medical conditions, zero alcohol and under TDEE most days.

I read your reply with great interest and appreciation, thank you!
How interesting.
I shall enjoy reading the article you've posted.
I am so certain that we are at the very beginning of learning about obesity as a condition. I'm sure we will make breakthroughs in our understanding of it.
I feel like, in decades to come, we will say "And to think we used to accuse all those people with obesity of simply eating too much! Thank goodness we now understand there is so much more to it than that!"

People can make dietary choices but it is not the whole picture. Obesity is complex but I think there is a lot of fear fuelling people’s prejudice, they don’t want to believe significant weight gain might just happen to them one day and they may face the same barriers of being able to shift it. Seems to impact a lot of women at menopause and it’s because of all the hormones going up the wonk and metabolic slump.

Agree, but I think also some of it is the awareness that Mounjaro et al are breaking the link between thinness and perceived virtue. Ie that the barrier might not be there in the same way very soon.

The rarity value of thinness is being undermined, meaning there won't be as many social benefits accrue to those who are thin. So not fear as much as resentment. This is not all thin people by any means, lots of them very much don't buy into this. I don't think I did, back when I was thin. Only the sort of person you're talking about.

Me too.
I'm constantly under my TDEE. By a lot.
It's so miserable.

Oh the hatred is real @Mylegishangingoff sad but true 😞

Most people cannot help their faces, the true feelings can be easily seen even if they think they’re doing a good job disguising it. Plenty more who are all too happy to openly vent their disgust.
I lack confidence and know a lot of other obese people who do, and for too long we have absorbed the blows of others. Weight discrimination is real and boy is it ugly.

I will also say I have seen slim people being treated badly and spoken to nastily, probably because they are slim. I had a lovely colleague who suffered badly in this way and bullied at work I think due to her appearance as she was slim and pretty, also young.

I wish there could just be more compassion for everyone, regardless of size. No one should be made to feel ‘less” because of how they look

Thank you @Ohioatdawn I thought it was interesting too :) and when searching for the original article I read came across other articles about other gene studies going on. It seems to be an active growing area of research and the fact that keys into the causes of disease are coming to light (many different diseases, not just obesity ) and how they can be treated is really promising.

Yes you have a good point @AvantiAreShit thinness and cultural perception of virtue have long gone hand in hand haven’t they? Definitely aided by media, fashion industry , celeb culture and even more from the Insta age of SM.

Yeah same here, I don’t think is the majority of slim built folk, I’ve got slim friends and love them dearly and can tell there is no size prejudice there. They might still suspect I’m a greedy moobar but I like them too much to care! 😅 I guess it is the hurtful exchanges we remember and the ability to pick up the ‘vibes’ from those who are clearly uncomfortable in the company of a big person. It does rather put me in mind if Dr Suess’s the Star Bellied Sneeches. Whether those who have been able to reach and maintain a healthy bmi with the aid of WL medications will still be viewed as inferior as the non-WL sneeches even though they look the same.

Oh my, good for you. I don't think I am eligible to get a mounjaro on NHS, although I classify as obese, but I don't have diabetes or other condition to get it. And unfortunately I just can not afford it by myself.
I have been diagnosed with nor purging bulimia. I had no idea such a thing exists. My GP told me, that is same as classic bulimia (you overeat, you feel bad about it, but you don't go and throw up). And she prescribed me something for my mood (I googled, it's antidepressive). I wish she would prescribed me mounjaro instead.

Hassle your go, @Mayana1 , go on and on about it. Don’t take anti depressants (which can lead to weight gain), you know yourself

@Mayana1 if you’ve been diagnosed with an eating disorder you won’t be able to get Mounjaro either through the NHS or privately.

I really sympathise.