Why the growing animosity and outright hatred towards overweight people?

Raziaar

Raziaar

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Whether someone just be slightly visibly pudgy, fat, or morbidly obese, I've observed that there's been a growing societal disdain towards these individuals. It's become the norm and it's become encouraged... and I've observed it in nearly every conceivable venue in life, even here on these forums.

So what is it? Even if your answer is health care costs for society, explain to me why there is the verbal and sometimes physical assaults on people for their waist size, which does anything but attempts to rectify the problem.

And yes Stern... I know you're going to come in here saying, "Haha fatties, Raziaar is a fatty!" You're the biggest offender of all.
 
Welcome to the human race. Everyone is petty and insecure, and look for the easiest ways we can make ourselves feel better than those around us. Fatness makes for an easy target, and though I don't mean to offset the blame from the individual here, TV and movies say fat people are for laughing at.
 
People are c*nts.

I mean, I wouldn't wanna be fat myself by choice because I like to feel healthy. Given, I'm not exactly a frigging Greek God or anything, I'd say I'm pretty average but it's personal choice I wouldn't wanna put weight on.

But as for other people being fat well, their choice / problem really. The whole healthcare thing is a shady area because many people who get THAT morbidly obese have psychological problems that led them to be like that and I suppose they have a case to argue that it's not entirely they're fault.

As far as assaulting people for being fat, that's just ridiculous.

People who assault other people for aesthetic reasons are just little-dicked and have something to prove to themselves because their life is very likely pretty shit in at least one department significant to them so they pick on people less able to defend themselves for any reason they can find ie. being different to them.
 
I don't resort to making fat jokes, but I am one that has little to no sympathy for fat adults because I know they are at a stage where they as an individual are able to control their diet, and get out there and exercise. There is absolutely no reason why they can't do both of those things, I assure you. Getting up an hour earlier in the morning and going for a run/jog, or spending 1 less hour playing WoW or Minecraft or what have you each day to exercise is so easily achievable. Spending a bit of time each week constructing a healthy diet is also pretty damn simple.

I just don't see there is a reason for fat people, except fat kids because their parents are ****ing slobs who pass on such bad lifestyles to their unwitting children.
 
I have very healthy lifestyle. I exercise every day (usually I swim but I also run and go to the gym or play squash), I eat well and I have a pretty small appetite. All my life, even when I was a scrawny little kid, my belly has curved out prominently; sometimes I even look a little bit pregnant. I don't know why. It doesn't go away. Some people's body shapes just are the way they are. Some people are genetically inclined to be a little pudgy. Sure, I'd like to lose my beer belly, but I don't think its existence means that my lifestyle is unhealthy. I feel great, I have nice skin and hair, and I seldom get sick.

In short, body shape doesn't necessarily reflect lifestyle.

(On the other hand, I know chubby people who have unimaginably busy lives. They don't have 20 minutes to spare to themselves ever. I wouldn't blame them either).
 
I think its because of the recent escalation of the "war on obesity." Its a big public health issue and should be dealt with, but unfortunately it translates into public hostility.
 
Personally nothing annoys me more than people who blame their weight issues on other things (genes and such), you simply can't be fatter than the food you put in you mouth allows you to be, if you store a lot of fat then you need to burn more energy...
The problem is that some people will react to this with blame and "tough love" and others will be supportive and people will range from raging at fatties to being so supportive that they are self defeating. The same thing happens with smoking, criminals and a whole lot of other things. As to why it's becoming more prevalent it's probably because there are more fat people .
 
Robbo said:
Personally nothing annoys me more than people who blame their weight issues on other things (genes and such), you simply can't be fatter than the food you put in you mouth allows you to be, if you store a lot of fat then you need to burn more energy...
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I appreciate your point. But if I ate any less, I'd be malnourished, and if I exercised any more, I could injure myself. What else am I supposed to do? I eat very little junk food or fatty food. I eat very little in general.

Your genes do affect your weight...everyone on my mother's side of the family is on the heavy side, so for this reason, I watch what I eat and make sure I get plenty of exercise. I do my best. Everyone's metabolism is different, that's just the way of it.
 
KiplingsCat said:
I appreciate your point. But if I ate any less, I'd be malnourished, and if I exercised any more, I could injure myself. What else am I supposed to do? I eat very little junk food or fatty food. I eat very little in general.

Your genes do affect your weight...everyone on my mother's side of the family is on the heavy side, so for this reason, I watch what I eat and make sure I get plenty of exercise. I do my best. Everyone's metabolism is different, that's just the way of it.
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There's a difference in that you are describing yourself as pudgy, which is perfectly acceptable. We're talking outright fat.

Oops, I see I'm drifting a bit away from Raziaar's question which is essentially why they are picked on instead of helped, which seems to be answered by Mutoid Man. I think this overweight hatred and bullying occurs mostly in children, and I find that sad since the children themselves don't have control over their diet or exercise to rectify the problem. As for the bullies themselves, that's a problem one will never fully resolve, as much as one would want to try.

EDIT EDIT: I see Raziaar was also pointing out pudgy people as a target of animosity, my gripe with lazy people lie with outright fat people*
 
KiplingsCat said:
I appreciate your point. But if I ate any less, I'd be malnourished, and if I exercised any more, I could injure myself. What else am I supposed to do? I eat very little junk food or fatty food. I eat very little in general.

Your genes do affect your weight...everyone on my mother's side of the family is on the heavy side, so for this reason, I watch what I eat and make sure I get plenty of exercise. I do my best. Everyone's metabolism is different, that's just the way of it.
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Firstly it doesn't sound like you are what I would call fat (though thats only a guess based on the fact that you do exercise). I'm refering to people who have guts that stick out even while wearing baggy jumpers and loose fat hanging off every body part, there is no way to maintain that unless you're eating too much. Also what you eat is just as important as how much, if you eat pasta for every meal you can end up just as big as someone who eats a lot more food which is how I lost some of the weight I put on after finishing high school sport.
 
My diet is pretty varied, and I try not to eat too much pasta since I don't especially like it. During the summer, it's mainly fruit, vegetables and chicken. And my gut is pretty out-sticking, in that it's visible no matter what I wear. It's kind of weird, actually. I don't know why it won't just go away.
 
KiplingsCat said:
My diet is pretty varied, and I try not to eat too much pasta since I don't especially like it. During the summer, it's mainly fruit, vegetables and chicken. And my gut is pretty out-sticking, in that it's visible no matter what I wear. It's kind of weird, actually. I don't know why it won't just go away.
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Maybe you're not that fat, you just need to strengthen your ad muscles so they hold it all in :)
 
Any person who have been fat but decided they should start eating healthy and exercise can't stand people giving bullshit excuses.

I've been there, so have many many other people, quit being a bitch and lose weight
 
That's weird... maybe it's because I live in one of the fattest states in the country but I don't see it. So many fatties... you don't hate the majority.
 
I don't know that there is a lot of animosity. It might be seen that way but I think its just a matter of everyone knowing that being obese is not healthy and not a good thing. There might be some people that will be vile about it as it the case with everything. But I don't think most people are that way.
 
ktimekiller said:
Any person who have been fat but decided they should start eating healthy and exercise can't stand people giving bullshit excuses.

I've been there, so have many many other people, quit being a bitch and lose weight
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I have no sympathy for fatties who are fat because they are weak willed and lazy, but it is exactly this attitude that Raz is talking about. Some people are obese for reasons that are out of their control, namely a) glandular/other health issues or b) poverty (cheap food is very unhealthy and fatty).
 
Ennui said:
I have no sympathy for fatties who are fat because they are weak willed and lazy, but it is exactly this attitude that Raz is talking about. Some people are obese for reasons that are out of their control, namely a) glandular/other health issues or b) poverty (cheap food is very unhealthy and fatty).
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I'd wager a) is very much the exception rather than the rule. As for b), I feel this to be a misconception, at least in Australia if I buy take out I'm almost assured if I went to a supermarket I could make a healthy meal for cheaper the price. Time management is an issue though, and one I can sympathise with.
 
Zephos said:
I'd wager a) is very much the exception rather than the rule. As for b), I feel this to be a misconception, at least in Australia if I buy take out I'm almost assured if I went to a supermarket I could make a healthy meal for cheaper the price. Time management is an issue though, and one I can sympathise with.
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Australia is a lot different to America in that respect though. Australia being the fattest nation has encouraged us to try and buy healthier, 'Feed your family for $10' and all the sorts.

I don't have a problem with fat people, in fact I always think it's awesome when I see a fat dude wearing one of those 'Eat well, stay fit, die anyway' t-shirts.
But at the same time, people who are monstrously overweight for no reason aside from laziness make me cringe. If they want to look like that then fine, every person has a right to individuality. But that excludes them from the right to complain about the problems that arise from that lifestyle.
 
I'm a bit shallow and will say because it's displeasing to look at fatties. I used to be somewhat sympathetic but seriously, people can exercise and if they're too lazy to do the simplest of things to help themselves, no sympathy is given.
 
Robbo said:
Maybe you're not that fat, you just need to strengthen your ad muscles so they hold it all in :)
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Does that work? I've heard conflicting reports on the effects of doing sit-ups etc on belly fat. Some people say that it just makes your waistline bigger because of all the muscles you develop there, but leaves your gut unaffected. I'm proud of my skinny waist!

Also, I sing, which means that I have pretty springy muscles there anyway :)
 
KiplingsCat said:
Does that work? I've heard conflicting reports on the effects of doing sit-ups etc on belly fat. Some people say that it just makes your waistline bigger because of all the muscles you develop there, but leaves your gut unaffected. I'm proud of my skinny waist!

Also, I sing, which means that I have pretty springy muscles there anyway :)
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It can help, depends on the person etc... Also don't do sit ups they're not great for your back, there are heaps of other exercises you can do to strengthen those muscles and are much easier. As for making you bigger it's a matter of how much you do, if you go all out and build muscle then it might get bigger but you can strengthen them without building them much.
Anyway just something to think about, like I said it's what worked for me so it might or might not for you!
 
I dunno. I don't make fun of fat people; that's simply... mean. Also might have to do with the fact that some of my best friends are overweight (as in military service impossible overweight).
 
I mean unless you can't control your weight through diseases, there really is no reason for you to be fat except for the fact that you are too lazy to exercise.

I get that fast food are unhealthy, but nowadays a nice sandwich costs about the price. If you have the money to buy fast food, you have the money to buy healthy food. Instead of eating a big ass burger get a salad instead.

Kind of sad really, because this hatred towards overweight is sometimes what is required for them to actually get their ass to shape. I mean come on, you CAN control it, but you lack the motivation to do so. Don't get pissed when people laugh or make jokes about you.

It's like a person doing really stupid stuff and expecting others not to look down or laugh at you. Like when a bunch of kids try to do a really stupid and dangerous skateboard or roller blade trick, wind up breaking their arms, and telling others "this is serious, stop laughing"
 
Because it's a visible sign of a character flaw
 
morbidly obese people ruined it for the rest of the fatties. just like Karen carpenter ruined being skinny
 
Dan said:
Because it's a visible sign of a character flaw
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Well yeah, but nobody is perfect. I mean, I could think of several too many reasons why and how I am a deeply flawed person. I'm sure all of you can too.
 
besides the goose stepping fascism you're a pretty cool dude
 
Eh, I'll admit to a few fat jokes. (Then again, I'll also admit to skinny jokes!) but there isn't any animosity in them, or my attitudes towards the obese.

That said, I have no sympathy for someone who lets themselves get that obese. Pro Tip: Stop eating so much, and so much bad food, and get up and do something. You'll enjoy life a hell of a lot more, and you'll have the support of every person around you as you work on it.
 
during my first day at Disney with my family I was blown away by the fact that as soon as the front gates opened to the public it was a sea of scooters with fatties behind the wheel slowly making their way to the food court. I dont think there was a handicapped person amongst them
 
I agree. As an annual pass holder, seeing perfectly ambulatory people riding around in scooters is the worst part of my day.
 
So my brother had a tumour on his pituitary gland and it stunted his growth and caused him to put on weight.

Guess that makes him a lazy f*ck, huh?
 
CptStern said:
during my first day at Disney with my family I was blown away by the fact that as soon as the front gates opened to the public it was a sea of scooters with fatties behind the wheel slowly making their way to the food court. I dont think there was a handicapped person amongst them
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You're doing everything you can do look cool and edgy in front of everybody in this thread, aren't you?
 
flamingdts said:
Kind of sad really, because this hatred towards overweight is sometimes what is required for them to actually get their ass to shape. I mean come on, you CAN control it, but you lack the motivation to do so. Don't get pissed when people laugh or make jokes about you.
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Whether or not being fat is your own fault, you certainly do have the right to get pissed when people laugh at you. Laughing at others is just not nice or acceptable under any circumstances (unless they are also laughing). What makes people think they have the right to comment on the lifestyle and personal choices of others in this way?

As I mentioned previously, I have a pretty tiny appetite. All my life, people have considered it perfectly acceptable to laugh at me, nag me, comment on my eating habits, comment on the discrepancy between my eating habits and my weight, to my face, even if they barely know me, even if we've only just met. It's none of their business and I wish they would butt out. Similarly, a person's lack of motivation to lose weight is entirely their own affair. Nobody other than a doctor has any right to comment on it, and certainly nobody has any right to make fun of them for it. Nobody should be making fun of anybody.

(And kids breaking their arms is not funny at all either :frown: ).
 
Lots of people love to feel superior and they mostly do it by chipping away at other people via the things they or wider society perceive as "flaws".

The best course of action is to look at it like this: Them laughing at you or highlighting things about you they see as flaws, at the end of the day, makes no difference.

They probably do it because as I said before, they have their own problems with themselves so they seek out others to put on a lower pedestal so they can feel like they're above someone.

People say shit and do shit like this constantly. Mostly, you should just let it roll off your back because it doesn't really matter what they think.

When it comes to people being hugely overweight and needing medical care for it, it's a different story but it's still not really a laughable concept.
 
"you're looking really good! did you lose weight or join a gym?"

is also off limits according to you. people will comment on your looks whether it's how thin you are or which side of your head your hair is parted etc. it's not always flattering or said in good faith so I dont see why people should make exceptions for people's weight. the implied suggestion is that it's "beyond my control" 100% of the time. I mean really how many of you have heard "It's my thyroid!"? the only person I've ever met with a genuine thyroid problem is skinny

people come in all shapes and sizes however this is not a normal shape or size:

Too-fat-for-jail-5993930.jpg


this is ok:

the%2Bskipper%2Bfrom%2Bgilligan.jpg


this is not:

image2.jpg
 
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