Has the stigma of being fat (obese) ended? (overweight, pounds, running)
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I see more and more fat people walking down the street every day. Many of the people I know who have always been concerned about their appearance and weight in the past now seem to have lost interest and have just let them selves go. I suspect much of the reason is so many of their friends, relatives and peers have got fat so the stigma is gone.
If almost everyone you know is overweight, why go through the effort it takes to be slim? (other than health concerns of course)
I am afraid being very overweight is no longer a real concern with many Americans especially from small towns and working class communities.
Personally, i don't know many people who are rediculously overweight, may be need to lose few pounds, but they always complain that they look fat LOL
Some go on diets, some realize health benefits of being slimmer and go exercise.
I have 1 friend who is may be 5-10 lb overweight, not fat mind you, she runs every day (or trying to).
If you are overweight and your friends are overweight, and neither one wants to do nothing about, then there is no encouragement from neither side.
If you surround yourself with fat people, you'd think it's ok to be fat...., well, it is, if you're OK with feeling like crap, high blood pressure, can't walk without running out of breath......
If those fat people put themselves into healthier environment, surround themselves with healthier people, may be they will see the benefit?
You are what you eat, and you are who your friends are.
I think the stigma is still there. Occasionally, I come across an article that talks about the discrimination overweight people face.
The problem is twofold: inadequate nutrition and lack of exercise. Americans don't understand basic nutrition. They believe a lot of processed food is good for them. They drink Snapple, believing it's really fruit juice, which isn't good in large amounts, either. They munch on Caesar salads and congratulate themselves for healthy eating - I wish! I love those salads. They consume large quantities of sugar substitute and think they're doing their bodies a favor. They eat prepackaged food that's laden with corn syrup and salt and God knows what else instead of cooking a meal themselves, choose white rice over brown rice, eat mounds of pasta for a meal instead of serving it as a side. I could on and on. The lack of exercise is self-explanatory.
Here's a fairly recent article, which is more on topic than my little rant above. Despite my beliefs, I do feel for people who struggle with weight. I've always been kind of normal-sized, but have been overweight before, especially post baby. I imagine the stigma isn't really placed on those who are a little overweight, but to those who seem to have lost all control. And, maybe if you are surrounded by other overweight people, then you tend to write off your own weight issues.
I see more and more fat people walking down the street every day. Many of the people I know who have always been concerned about their appearance and weight in the past now seem to have lost interest and have just let them selves go. I suspect much of the reason is so many of their friends, relatives and peers have got fat so the stigma is gone.
If almost everyone you know is overweight, why go through the effort it takes to be slim? (other than health concerns of course)
I am afraid being very overweight is no longer a real concern with many Americans especially from small towns and working class communities.
The airlines are contemplating weighing people when they buy their ticket and charging by the pound. They also have proposed charging for two tickets for any passenger who can't get the armrest down in a single seat.
What do you think that's going to do for the social "stigma" of being overweight?
i think a lot of people worry about their weight but do nothing about it. shoot, i get made fun of by coworkers and friends for eating healthy. how stupid is that? yet, they b*tch and moan about being fat. i don't get it. i'm not going to lie...i just flew on Continental and saw some huge dude waiting to board the plane. i was not going to ride if he was next to me and i had to be uncomfortable. luckily..he wasn't in my row and he purchased two seats.
People need to take responsibility for their own health and well being. It's easy to make excuses - we all could have reasons for being overweight. Eating healthier is something we should all aim to do - difficult or not.
The airlines are contemplating weighing people when they buy their ticket and charging by the pound. They also have proposed charging for two tickets for any passenger who can't get the armrest down in a single seat.
What do you think that's going to do for the social "stigma" of being overweight?
I like the idea of charging for the second seat - ever taken a long flight sitting right next to someone that can't fit in thei seat? Not fun and I don't get full use of the seat I paid for.
People need to take responsibility for their own health and well being. It's easy to make excuses - we all could have reasons for being overweight. Eating healthier is something we should all aim to do - difficult or not.
Jenna...a big thumbs up! Sunny
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