cl's and all...check out this thread!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
cl's and all...check out this thread!
36
Sun, 06-27-2004 - 5:53am
I found this interesting thread on the Current Debates Board, and it made me feel pretty good... Check it out.


http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/post.asp?webtag=iv-ppcurrentdb&rptid=21801&rptsn=1&did=33A8FA08-B18A-401E-A93B-B40A125D2C5C


Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
Mon, 06-28-2004 - 11:05pm
ITA. I've walked right with you (figuratively) and I have, in my experience, felt that a good part of the population who just happen to be rude and ignorant at the same time, regard overweight people as stupid, lazy, dirty, unloveable and a host of other things, all stemming from how they were raised to view overweight people.

And what bout all those weight loss drug and exercize equipment commercials that say 'get rid of that UGLY fay/Lose ugly unwanted weght'- key word here is UGLY. We are taught, thru one media or another, that excess fat is ugly, and that seems to translate into 'if fat is ugly, then people who have too much of it must be ugly too.'

The obesity epidemic is a bit of a hot button for me, and to be honest, I have not noticed on a personal level that other people's obesity has affected me. Having been in the position myself, I try not to make judgement of other obese people, and I don't flip out on planes when I am seated next to one. Why flip out ? They KNOW they are overweight, they KNOW they are 'spilling over' into your space, but in the here and now, WHAT is going to change that if I complain about it, other than make them feel like crap? I don't play that way. I say hi and

Now, second hand smoke is another story. I usually move away from them if it's really bothering me, but unless they are really encroaching on my space, I don't complain.

Smokers, alcoholics and a few others ALSO contribute to the health care system overload, so let's NOT blame it all on obese people. People need food - they don't need booze or cigarrettes (well, some of us do, Rely!LOL)but we do need food to live, which is why it's so damned hard to get a handle on. You can't avoid eating forever, so it's not like you are cured', the same way an alcoholic is always considered an alcoholic, even if they haven't touched it in 15 years.

I have to go to work now, but I'll be back in a little bit. My interest has been roused.

**SNERKSNERKSNERK***

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 12:28pm
Yes, but.....it would be too simplistic to say that the only reason smoking affects everyone is because of second hand smoke, or drinking does only because of drunk drivers. The fact is, in both those cases, the government got involved in an "epidemic" situation, when the problems associated with smoking and alcohol consumption reached epidemic proportions and the cost (to society) far outweighed the govt benefits in perpetuating the problems. Same with obesity now.

You asked,

"Besides the medical costs, how does obesity affect everyone." To answer that, in any detail, I really wish you'd start by reading the June 7 issue of Time Magazine which devoted itself to the obesity epidemic in America, and answered that from numerous perspectives. The short answer (but there is a much, much longer one) is that obesity affects everyone from EVERY perspective.

Right now the number of overweight children in this country is 3 times what it was just 30 years ago. Healthcare providers are treating kids for high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes (previously called adult-onset diabetes) and even warning them about the dangers of heart attack and stroke. In other words, obesity is killing America's future and the fact that our children are in jeoprady of not reaching old age, and on such a large scale, is important not only to our government but it should be important to every single person in this country. It's in the public interest to take care for future generations. Our children are suffering the effects of too much junk foods and not enough physical activity.

But our cities and towns have to meet the needs of the people living in them, in order to meet "municipality status "(in the legal definition of that). I, for example, went to a Chamber of Commerce Friday meeting last week, and they haggled for hours about what our town needs, how best to meet the needs of its citizens with the limited resources at our disposal. Do we need bike paths, to encourage that activity? Do we need, instead, to build more wheel-chair ramps for obese individuals who need "rascel scooters" to get around? And does our library buy books, to encourage young minds to read and learn.....or do we need to spend the money on more scooters so the heavy people can get around easier while in the building, and build the shelves lower? Those are just a few issues, which I heard of first hand in my little community....and there are so very many more!

The Time Magazine pointed out, Americans spend 117 billion dollars a year on obesity-linked illnesses. Diet and poor exercise trail only tobacco as the cause of PREVENTABLE DEATH in our country. Half of all obese adults have hypertension. AND, according to Time, the less money you have in America the likelier you are to be overweight. The more in need of public assistance too. And the less likely to carry ANY private medical insurance. One in four adults below the poverty level is obese, compared with one in six in households with an income of $67.000 or more.

Also, a child with one overweight parent has a 40% chance of being overweight; with two overweight parents, it's 80%. It's society's business, precisely because obesity is costing America more than it can possibly afford to pay, and the problem is getting worse every year as Time Magazine points out. At this rate, by 2020 obesity could bankrupt America unless the problem is addressed. Right now 2/3 of Americans are overweight, up from half just 20 years ago. Among Americans who are overweight 50% are obese and 4.77% are morbidly obese. You know....our govt addressed tobacco, and alcohol, and AIDS too....when the problem reached epidemic proportions and effected everyone, in some way. And that's where our country is right now, in regards to obesity, and that's the reason it's getting so much attention. It's come home, to the pocketbooks of every citizen (even those normal weight), our government can't afford it anymore (or says it can't) and yet, as with all the other "epidemics" the govt has addressed, it's also true that ignoring the problem at the onset has made it worse, and that much harder to solve.

So we're back to my own community....as every other community in our "great" country....basically saying "this is one fine mess you've gotten yourself into Ollie" and no body quite knows how to fix it. Probably, the govt will tax junk food for starters (just as it did tobacco, and alcohol) and use the funds to educate our kids on the dangers of twinkies! Who knows? It seems to be a pattern. But, as you can see, there's no really short answer to the question you asked me. Except to say, obesity has reached a level where it's everybody's business because, just like tobacco and alcohol which you mentioned, the problem was half created by our way of life (and what govt chooses to support) and then there seems to be an "awakening" on the part of govt, our society as a whole, that the problem is like a runaway train threatening the fabric of society. That sums it.

I hope that helps, and answers the question you asked me yesterday....to your satisfaction, that is. But I'd really recommend a trip to your local library or magazine rack at some bookstore....see if you can find June 7, 2004 Time Mag. because it has abt 50 pp from various perspectives which will help put this whole thing into some perspective for you!

forte

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 12:33pm
Vikki,

Yes, I saw that. But can I say that, in my opinion....no one I know thinks "fat people are lazy." In fact, in my circle most people understand that obesity is caused by consuming more calories than the body uses for fuel. And, as the government recommends, in order to "fix" the problem we need to eat fewer calories and move the body more.

But that's NOT to say "lazy." As Time Magazine pointed out (a Prof. from U. Washington) obesity affects the poor in much higher numbers. If a person makes very little money, eats fast food say, because he's working 3 jobs and has very little free time....well, try telling that person to spend time cooking from scratch, and exercising more! Lazy? Hardly! And that's the group, the government tells us, which is MORE LIKELY to be overweight. Those earning less than $67.000 a year and supporting a family on more than one job.

I understand that it's Shawna's "opinion" that the public considers fat people lazy. I just asked her....on what does she base that opinion. Seems a fair question. Especially since I don't know anyone who thinks that way....and according to govt statistics....the numbers don't bear that opinion out.

(And in another thread, Shawna mentioned reading Time Magazine also....so she has the same facts at her disposal as I do...we both read the same thing. )Anyhow, this is not a big deal. I just idly wondered WHY she thought what she did. Nothing more. Nothing less.

forte


Edited 6/29/2004 12:46 pm ET ET by forte10

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 12:58pm
Hi Joyce,

Thanks for commenting. Basically, I already responded so I'll refer you to the link:

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-fb100plus&ft=1&ctx=&gfc=1&msg=116095.14

I understand she learns by what she sees, but as I stated...I was a little baffled because earlier Shawna mentioned reading Time Magazine's "Obesity in America" which completely contradicts what she said. So I just asked her HOW she came to her conclusion. Seems a fair question, wouldn't you agree?

Anyway, it's not crucial to me or anything. I seriously doubt that *most Americans* view "fat people" as "lazy." I give my fellow citizens more credit than that. I think that as Americans, we all deserve more credit.

And yes, obesity is a problem which touches the life of everyone (even those who are not overweight), and as I stated....that's why it's being called an "epidemic" by our Surgeon General right now....and why, perhaps, our government will funnel some attention into solving this growing public health emergency. It's not a simple matter of instructing citizens to eat less, move more. And the Time Magazine issue talked about our government having a "truth campaign" on food, much like the previous "truth campaigns" on smoking and alcohol...and perhaps taxing junk foods, using those funds for education in that "truth campaign" on food. It's worth considering, won't you agree?

Forte

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 1:09pm
Hi Shawna,

Since you addressed me, too....I'll take just a minute here also. I know it must have been hard for you, "walking 8-9 years in an obese body" and sometimes "some people" make unkind comments, as you say. (Or some of those comments may not BE unkind, but just TAKEN as unkind when nothing of the sort was intended.) But this, by itself, really doesn't translate into "most people" thinking fat people are lazy. Some may think that. While others (perhaps "most people") clearly don't think anything of the sort. I think (and this is my opinion) that most people think "eat less, move more" and that, in fact, is what our own government recommends to combat obesity as well. But that (which our Surgeon General said, BTW) doesn't mean our government thinks fat people eat all day and never move and thus are "lazy." Nothing of the kind! It would be a gross mis-reading of the Surgeon General's comments to say that. In fact, what our government, via our Surgeon General, really means is that calories count and exercise is crucial to health. Nothing more sinister than that. And, frankly, the Surgeon General is giving some pretty good advice (I think).

Anyway, good luck with your weight loss efforts.

Forte

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 6:33pm
Amy, Are you sure that's your opinion? Maybe we should ask some one else?

HeHeHeHeHeHeHeHe!

It sounds familiar, Maybe it's mine. :)

Hugs, Brenda


Hugs, Brenda 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-31-2003
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 6:47pm

Amy,


I agree with you on so many points.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2004
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 7:58pm
Furry, I just want to say that you definitely have a way with words :)

~~Linda

~~Linda

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-31-2003
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 9:19pm

awww.....thanks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 11:39am
We were separated at birth..LOL!