Is Fat Okay?

[DJ Napps]

I have just recently seen the movie "Supersize Me" and it opened my eyes to alot of things, mainly the overal health of America, and people worldwide.

I will mainly focus on the US, since it is considered the fatest country.
Within the movie, they brought up the point that being overweight, although widely known as unhealthy, is publicly acceptable overall, and those who continue to eat fatty foods while overweight can go through their lives un-heckled.
However, smokers are also known as unhealthy, yet people are free to openly scold them without being considere "mean" or "insensitive". This is what I find wrong.

Smokers who continue to smoke are just as unhealthy as overweight people who continue to have fatty diets. Thus, they should, just as fairly, be heckled and scolded for their unhealthy ways.


Counter Arguements:
"But smokers could leave their children behind is they don't quit smoking."

Same for fat Americans, yet they knowingly continue eating the same way smokers keep smoking.


"Yea, but smokers are insensitive to those around them because we are forced to breath their smoke."

Yeah...and I'm forced to look at their folds and blubber. It is inconsiderate in the same sense.


"They have the right to be fat and you shouldn't say they are wrong."

I'm not saying they're wrong, I could care less. I am simply saying one should have the right to look down upon someone overweight as smokers are looked down upon.


Don't get me wrong, I am not against nor hate those who are overweight- most of my family is. I am simply stating that badgering someone who is fat is not wrong. If it is, then smokers shouldn't be put down either.

Respond....

 

[Zink]

supersize me is pretty much all propoganda. the idea that America is very obese is a myth. when I go to school, there's 1 obese guy in my grade. only a few in my school.

in addition, seeing fat people is not a health risk.

 

[Tryptomine]

supersize me is pretty much all propoganda. the idea that America is very obese is a myth. when I go to school, there's 1 obese guy in my grade. only a few in my school.

in addition, seeing fat people is not a health risk.

You do realize that "obese" is determined by body fat percentage, and that you don't actually have to look fat at all to be "obese."

 

[Crimson King]

We live in a rich and poor country. The rich make money off businesses which sell fatty foods to people. The poor can only afford to eat at fast food restaurants which are very unhealthy.

I stopped eating fast food when one day while eating McDonald's I noticed my fries had 500 calories, my Coke, 500 calories, and my chicken nuggets - 500 calories. Completely killed it for me.

As for the movie, I saw it last night again, which is odd that this topic came up. He uses a lot of facts and figures but never really explains why people can't just say "Hey, that's bad for me." If I want to eat fast food, I will, regardless of the health risk.

 

[DJ Napps]

supersize me is pretty much all propoganda. the idea that America is very obese is a myth. when I go to school, there's 1 obese guy in my grade. only a few in my school.

in addition, seeing fat people is not a health risk.

Indeed, it is not. However, it is an inconvenience.

America is indeed fat. Though it is not a majority, a good number of Americans are considered overweight. Sure "Supersize Me" was only a movie to scare, it had alot of proven facts.
Yea, we're not very obese, but still the most obese country in the world.

And as for your school, its the same with mine. Not too many, around 5% significantly overweight- 30% overall. But your school doesnt reflect the US (if thats where you live) in general. Your area is just fit.

We live in a rich and poor country. The rich make money off businesses which sell fatty foods to people. The poor can only afford to eat at fast food restaurants which are very unhealthy.

I stopped eating fast food when one day while eating McDonald's I noticed my fries had 500 calories, my Coke, 500 calories, and my chicken nuggets - 500 calories. Completely killed it for me.

As for the movie, I saw it last night again, which is odd that this topic came up. He uses a lot of facts and figures but never really explains why people can't just say "Hey, that's bad for me." If I want to eat fast food, I will, regardless of the health risk.

Yep. I eat fast food about 2-3 times a month and I will continue to because I want to. I know it's bad but I have the right. Im very fit.
It's okay to eat fast food, but the outcome is what I'm concerned about.

 

[Cinder]

*looks @CK's post* *nods in agreement*...

While I agree with CK, I would like to mention that I eat FF twice a week, have a very sedentary lifestyle, and yet, I'm almost below average weight...granted, I don't know my BM, but if I'm obese by those standards, it's impossible to tell

As for the movie...pure propoganda...I still can't forget that gastric bypass scene *gags*...

 

[Jammer]

I'd like to ask the question, "Is Fat Okay?" in a social vein.

Something that has always bothered me is that girls are so pressured to be thin, while guys are allowed to be fat with very little social consequence.

Fat guys can get the girls if they're rich or have a great personality. Fat girls will never get the best guys (at least what our society views as the best guys).

But to answer the thread creator's question (why don't we treat fat people like smokers?):

Because to be a smoker, you must have made a conscious choice to start. You will cease to be a smoker when you decide to quit. Quitting smoking is nowhere near the difficulty of losing 100 pounds (45 kg).

You've noticed that obesity runs in families, right? Do you think that is just because the parents taught their kids to eat the wrong foods? Heredity and genes are a huge part of your weight. The bodies of people from Hawaii are meant to hold onto every single calorie. That is why nearly all of them are chunky, if not totally fat.

I eat junk food all the time, yet I am quite skinning. If my body chemistry was different, I would be fat.

I don't think you can generically accuse people of choosing to be fat when others have the same lifestyle and remain fit.

 

[DJ Napps]

I'd like to ask the question, "Is Fat Okay?" in a social vein.

Something that has always bothered me is that girls are so pressured to be thin, while guys are allowed to be fat with very little social consequence.

Fat guys can get the girls if they're rich or have a great personality. Fat girls will never get the best guys (at least what our society views as the best guys).

Agreed. There's no reason I could think of to explain that. It has just been "the way it is". ****ed up either way.

But to answer the thread creator's question (why don't we treat fat people like smokers?):

Because to be a smoker, you must have made a conscious choice to start. You will cease to be a smoker when you decide to quit. Quitting smoking is nowhere near the difficulty of losing 100 pounds (45 kg).

That, my friend, is opinion. For some, its nearly impossible to quit smoking because their bodies are completely accustomed to it and would have great diffuculty without it.
My grandfather is a smoker and has been smoking since the age of six. He didnt necessarily make the choice to start smoking, he was around it all the time since his grandmother smoked. He was told to start to old time pipes for her by puffing it, not knowing it was bad for him.

Losing weight, in the same sense can be done effortlessly by some, due to who they are.

You've noticed that obesity runs in families, right? Do you think that is just because the parents taught their kids to eat the wrong foods? Heredity and genes are a huge part of your weight. The bodies of people from Hawaii are meant to hold onto every single calorie. That is why nearly all of them are chunky, if not totally fat.

I eat junk food all the time, yet I am quite skinning. If my body chemistry was different, I would be fat.

I don't think you can generically accuse people of choosing to be fat when others have the same lifestyle and remain fit.

I, too, am a regular junk food consumer, and yet I am considered skinny.
But, you are correct about genes carrying the likeliness to become obese, however you dont necessarily have to be obese if you carry the gene.
You will have a much easier time than others with that gene, but won't indefinitely be fat.

I myself carry the gene for manboobs, *waits for laughter to die down*, yet I don't have them. I constantly work to avoid gaining them knowing I have the greater pontential to get them.

Not everyone knows whether they carry the gene increased pontentially for obesity, but by watching their own body habits, they can deduct what they should do. If you know your overweight and continue to eat unhealthy you are the cause. Its your fault. You will most likely have to work harder to stay fit, but your genes are not the soul cause.

 

[GoldShadow]

supersize me is pretty much all propoganda. the idea that America is very obese is a myth. when I go to school, there's 1 obese guy in my grade. only a few in my school.

You're using your school (small sample size) and your opinion of "fat" to define "obese"? In fact, about 30% of Americans are considered obese, and another 30% are considered overweight but not obese. To say that obesity is not a crisis in America is flat out wrong. Over the past 15 years, hell, even over the past decade or past 5 years, the percentage of overweight and obese people has been growing rapidly. One could go so far as to say it is an "epidemic".

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/news/testimony/obesity07162003.htm
http://www.obesityinamerica.org/geographic.html



Obesity is NOT okay. Fat is NOT okay. Why not? For a second, let's forget about the societal aspect and consider only the health aspect. Obesity and overweight are the cause of virtually every health problem you can imagine. If you've ever been to a hospital, you'll notice that the majority (sometimes, nearly all) of patients are old, overweight, or both. Obviously, age causes problems; but being overweight is linked to an increased risk of just about everything. The overweight get more sick and die earlier of more health problems than those of healthy weight.


From a societal standpoint, fat people are not as readily accepted as those of normal weight. A little overweight is generally not a problem when trying to make friends; a lot of weight is. Like Jammer said, the fat guys might get decent girls, but fat girls will never get the "best" guys.

I see no problem with this; there's nothing wrong with seeking attractiveness in a mate. But to relate it to science, biology, and evolution, someone who is of normal weight is healthier and more able to reproduce, create viable offspring, and ensure their survival. In that sense, it's programmed into us.


Last but not least, the genetic aspect. There is no doubt that weight is heavily linked to one's genes. It's not all genetic though. Weight is about 63% heritable. That means it's about 63% from your genes, and 37% environment. Most obese people can, with diet and exercise, maintain a normal, healthy weight. Most obese people don't. It's never right to say "they can't help it" except with the most extreme cases. Every overweight and obese person should, for their own health, try to maintain a healthy weight.

It might be easy for me to say that because I am, by nature, thin. Well you know what? It is easy for me to say that, I've never had a problem with weight. But that's not the point. We are not all physically equal; some people have to work more to maintain a healthy weight than others. They should work to do so. Likewise, I have a hard time gaining weight and muscle and I lose muscle very easily; I need to work harder than most people to stay fit (since "fit" and "thin" are not the same).


All the fast food and processed food certainly doesn't help. People need to eat healthier and exercise; they need to set their priorities correctly.

 

[DJ Napps]

Agreed entirely.

 

[Lesheik]

I think I've seen a topic like this on another forum...

 

[Jammer]

We really need to get the opinion of a fat person or two here.

You'd think there'd by tons hanging out on smashboards, right?

Where did they go? It's not like they can hide successfully.

Okay, sorry about that. Really, I am.

 

[DJ Napps]

We really need to get the opinion of a fat person or two here.

You'd think there'd by tons hanging out on smashboards, right?

Where did they go? It's not like they can hide successfully.

Okay, sorry about that. Really, I am.

Lol.
Really, though, if your obese post your opinion. You matter too!

 

[pikachun00b7]

Like my font color? Too bad, I will be using this the rest of my posts.

Do not compare smoking and eating.

Health: Being fat is bad for you. I am not even going into specific reasons. search the internet


Socially: I do not judge people based on looks. It's not how roll with it. Being obese just means that we need to strech our arms more when we hug em'. Seriously, being fat is not a
good thing when making freinds/relationships. *Sigh* people are so shallow.

 

[Eight Sage]

Fat isn't OK for healthy reasons, not for physical look.

The problem is that being healthy includes being on shape, so that's the trick.

 

[DJ Napps]

Like my font color? Too bad, I will be using this the rest of my posts.

Do not compare smoking and eating.

Health: Being fat is bad for you. I am not even going into specific reasons. search the internet


Socially: I do not judge people based on looks. It's not how roll with it. Being obese just means that we need to strech our arms more when we hug em'. Seriously, being fat is not a
good thing when making freinds/relationships. *Sigh* people are so shallow.

Im confused, i dont understand where you stand.

Fat isn't OK for healthy reasons, not for physical look.

The problem is that being healthy includes being on shape, so that's the trick.

Yeah, being in shape=being healthy. Physical apperance is just an extra.

 

[adaptor17]

i concur with Zink when he states "in addition, seeing fat people is not a health risk." and this is gonna sound pretty bad, but my friend kyle weighs like 230 and hes like 5'9". but hes the ****in funniest kid ive ever met in my entire life. i dont know how he developed such an acute sense of humor.maybe its that fat...

just kidding,chill out.

 

[MASAHIROx]

agreed w/ adaptor

i don't see the problem

some of the nicest/ funniest/ realest people i know are overweight.

 

[DJ Napps]

:uzi:My Point:enforcer:

I wasn't saying fat people don't have character, i know they do.
50% of my friends are overweight.

What I am asking is being fat able to be looked upon as acceptable by the public.

 

[adaptor17]

agreed w/ adaptor

i don't see the problem

some of the nicest/ funniest/ realest people i know are overweight.

thank you masahirox,that was exactly my point.(even though i didnt communicate my point well)

 

[handsockpuppet]

"fat" and "obese" are to different things. and although many fat or obese people may be funny, the main problem is they are a threat to themselves. it is pretty similar to smokers.

1) they are both a threat to themselves. it is an unhealthy lifestyle and addiction and many people are trying to help.

2) there are places that make tons of dollars selling it (cigarettes or unhealthy food) and they make adds claiming that their product is "cool" and "good".

3)they both can spread to other people. whether it's second hand smoke, or just the passing of unhealthy habits, it's harmful to people.

4) as people said, do whatever you want. but would you really like seeing your loved ones die of breathing problems or heart attacks?

 

[MASAHIROx]

for most cases, i find nothing wrong with it

i might be biased though because a very close friend of mine is overweight so whatever.

hes been big his whole life and hes been just as active as the rest of us. its just the way it is. i see no point why he should exercise anymore then anyone else in our group just because he's bigger.

he actually just recently went on a diet though LOL

 

[Jammer]

What I am asking is being fat able to be looked upon as acceptable by the public.

I would say yes, for most things.

For romance and perfection, I would say that fat people, especially women, get the short end of the stick.

 

[Bailey]

I am fat. I am not obese.

Wow this thread is ********. Like you asked if being fat is to be looked upon as acceptable by the public. Let the public think whatever the fvck they want.

Like if you are going to look down on people for being fat then you better be looking down on everyone in public that has any sort of problem or that isn't perfect to your standards.

Being fat really hasn't stopped me in anything in life except buying children's clothing...

 

[Jammer]

Finally, an opinion from a fat person.

Except he calls the thread ********. I think it's a fine thread.

But it's nice to know that my opinions sort of match with Bailey's (that the only thing about fat people is that they aren't perfect, as viewed by the public).

Bailey, would you say that being fat has hurt possibilities for romantic relationships? What else does being fat stop you from doing (besides wearing children's clothes)?

 

[Bailey]

Um on December 2nd it is my one year anniversary with my girlfriend. lol, and she is skinny.


Also I don't really know anything that being fat held me back from

 

[Jammer]

Awesome Bailey.

Question, though: Would you be going out with her if she was fat?

I've always thought that fat women had it especially hard.

 

[Tryptomine]

Being fat really hasn't stopped me in anything in life except buying children's clothing...

Given your age, I'd be worried if you were buying "children's" clothing anyways.

 

[Colenstien]

Now then let me speak for the fat people.

I am overwieght but not by much. I do think that overwieght people are unhealthy. Smokers are to. But smokers have a huge warning on all posters and packs of the stuff. So we heckle them because there is a clear warning. Food does not have a warning however. Buy the new McDonalds Bigger Mac. It's Cholesteralific!

 

[Rapid_Assassin]

I've always thought that fat women had it especially hard.

It depends... If you are talking about finding love, it's hard for everyone. I think it's equal to a fat man's expectations. Look in the right place, and you should find someone. Guys might not whistle at you if you walk down the street, but sometimes that's a good thing.

There is one problem though with being a fat woman. Try finding women's clothes that fit. Anyone even slightly bigger than pencil thin will tell you that's a problem, especially since you really don't have to be that fat to have to shop in the plus size section. Most normal stores don't even carry large sizes. And most of the stores that do carry large sizes don't just have larger versions of everything else, they have their own separate line for plus size (which is usually ugly). Maybe that's why most women I've met have such low self esteem.

 

[Tryptomine]

Now then let me speak for the fat people.

I am overwieght but not by much. I do think that overwieght people are unhealthy. Smokers are to. But smokers have a huge warning on all posters and packs of the stuff. So we heckle them because there is a clear warning. Food does not have a warning however. Buy the new McDonalds Bigger Mac. It's Cholesteralific!

Sorry but that argument fails.

 

[Jammer]

Aww... only fat people or people worried about becoming fat actually look at those labels.

And why would fat people or people worried about becoming fat make fun of fat people?

 

[KevinM]

Jammer you sound really really dumb in this thread.. <_<

 

[brawlpro]

Like, the title says Is Fat Ok, the answer is obv no.

 

[MASAHIROx]

you're officially an idiot

this thread was good until page 3

 

[Jammer]

Jammer you sound really really dumb in this thread.. <_<

you're officially an idiot

Oh crap--you guys aren't both talking about me, are you?

What exactly did I say that was so dumb?

 

[MASAHIROx]

naw jammer i was talking to brwalpro

 

[Colenstien]

@Tryptomine: Aw yes cause that clearly says "Warning! If you eat this you will get fat..... b1tches."

 

[Luigi Ka-master]

Oh crap--you guys aren't both talking about me, are you?

What exactly did I say that was so dumb?
Today 11:19 PM

Aww... only fat people or people worried about becoming fat actually look at those labels.

I think that was what did it lol. Pretty sure anyone with any intelligent understanding of health will check labels of food/beverage products

 

[Jammer]

Well, Tryptomine has a point. Those nutrition facts are there for a reason. In fact, the reason is a very similar one to why there are warnings on cigarettes.

Just wondering: Did you guys know that in traditional African culture, being fat meant you were exceedingly gorgeous? People who had food to eat and get fat on were envied by everyone around.

I think that kinda changes things.