"Conversation should be pleasant without scurrility, witty without affectation, free without indecency, learned without conceitedness, novel without falsehood."
Published on September 4, 2006 By Sally jacobs In Misc

I watched a television show last night about a fat man. I would tell you the name of the show, but it was slightly rude, so probably best I don't. This programme was about life through is eyes, and through the lives of other overweight people that were involved with this programme. If I am honest I found it all quite shocking, about, how mentally they are so completely caught up with their weight, and it effects almost every aspect of life. People are getting fatter, generally, and still it would appear we live in a world that isn't prepared to deal with these people who are overweight. I have seen many shows recently all over television regarding this problem, and to be honest until now these programmes haven't really shocked me. They are usually more about pointing ridicule, and laughing at people with these issues. The bloke in this programme was a big guy, but it showed him going to the gym, and boxing, and this guy had some real stamina, it was plain for all to see.

The programme showed a day in his life, and how he thought he was lost in a fat world. It showed how when it was really hot he had to take an extra shirt out with him, because the one he had on probably wouldn't last until dinnertime. How he couldn't go on holiday because not everywhere was fat friendly, and he wanted to avoid any embarrassing situations. How he struggled to fit into seats on public transport, and how people avoided sitting next to him, because they have all these ideas about fat people, that simply aren't true. How he could only eat in certain restaurants, because the seats were to small. The list goes on at how many things that he has to face, and we don't even realise. I actually felt pretty bad for the guy.

Then it showed a lady, who was getting on for the 30 stone mark. She liked to race cars and ran her own business. Her only problem was she found it almsot impossible to find a car that was big enough to hold her, with her feeling comfortable enough driving it. They actually went to try out some cars, and she could fit into less than half. In the end they had to get one specially made, and the shocking thing is there wasn't actually that many differences to be made. Just a few minor adjustments here and there, and she was good to go, and the difference to her was amazing. She could do what she enjoyed, and it didn't make her feel uncomfortable, or like it was impossible for her to do. That was important.

It then showed two young girls who wanted to go shopping. They were took to you average shopping centre, but they could only find clothes to fit them in half the shops they went in, and even then alot of the clothes were frumpy and aimed at people alot older than them. Shops that claimed to sell clothes for larger ladies didn't actually seem to have that many in stock and the girls were left upset and disappointed. Shopping should be something that young girls enjoy and thrive on, and they shouldn't be made to feel like they are worthless, and not worthy of the fashion they see on the highstreets. In the end they picked out clothes from the shops they liked, and got them made bigger. Now in theory this was a nice idea, but I did think that the clothes just didn't look right on them. The clothes weren't made to show off the curves of bigger women. They looked like big birds trying to be slim.

The last person they followed was a lady who loved fairground rides, and theme parks. She absolutely loved them, but she found it impossible to actually go on any. I have to say this is the person I felt for the most. She struggled getting through the doors of the theme park, nevermind the rides. She asked when she was paying if there would be rides that would be suitable for her size, and she was told there would be. She spent hours waiting to go on rides, and when she finally got there she couldn't fit in the seat and was told to leave again. It wasn't just that she couldn't get on the rides, it was the humilaytion of it all too. People were pointing and staring at her, and laughing, and she just had to get off the ride because she was to big. Pretty unfair if you ask me.

Now some people could argue that being overweight is down to the individual, and they have to deal with the consequences of that. Maybe in some cases it is. I don't think that is the point anymore. Here in England we seem to be of the thinking that if we ignore it, it will go away, and that if we don't make things easy and accessable for fat people, they will have to get thin. That isn't the case. People are getting bigger, and they are going to continue to do so. We, however, can't continue to make life uncomfortable for them in order to make it go away. We have to make places fat friendly, otherwise a large proportion of sociey will be left feeling rejected and low because of their appearance, and I don't think that is an answer to the problem.


Comments (Page 1)
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on Sep 04, 2006
Obesity is unhealthy and I don't think society should go out of its way to make obesity comfortable.

Comfort and complacency will only make the problem worse.

There will always be entrepreneurs who see a niche market in making tools and clothing and other items for "super size" people, but in general, NOT being able to function in society as one would like is good incentive to get help and get healthy.

on Sep 04, 2006

Those that are comfortable with their weight, really dont have a problem.  Those that are self conscious of it, seem to have a lot.  I would say this is a perception problem on the eye of the beholder.

And, except for metro systems, transportation is privately funded.  So they can live with the rules, or stay at home.  Harsh, perhaps.  But you mention 3 people.  And there are milllions.  Most live with it, and dont decide to make it a federal issue.

on Sep 04, 2006
I'm not exactly slim, I am carrying some extra poundage around, but I'm not extremely obese either. There's no reason to go out of our way to "punish" the obese but there's no reason to cater to them either. The majority of them are that way because they can't stop stuffing food into their pie holes so I don't really feel sorry for them.

Sure, there are some people who are obese due to medical conditions, but they are in the minority of the obese. Most are just people who lack self control when it comes to stuffing their face.
on Sep 04, 2006
I'm a big guy, and I'm also tall...so I'm screwed both ways. Actually, I can fit into any seat you give me...except for those little chairs they use for elementary kids at school....they're so tiny. The only problem I've ever really had is with my height....I've hit my head on so many things....bleh. I'm only 6' 1"....I want the world to accept tall people, damnit!

~Zoo
on Sep 04, 2006
People are getting bigger, and they are going to continue to do so. We, however, can't continue to make life uncomfortable for them in order to make it go away. We have to make places fat friendly, otherwise a large proportion of sociey will be left feeling rejected and low because of their appearance, and I don't think that is an answer to the problem.


I have to disagree with this Sally, being overweight is unhealthy, being obese more so. People must be made aware of the dangers of obesity the same way we make people aware of the dangers of smoking, we have to be in their faces.

I am not saying ostracise or anything like that, just make a point of powerful advertising etc, force fat food sellers to put warnings on their packaging etc and blah blah....

In no way must people be made to feel comfortable with obesity.
on Sep 04, 2006
People must be made aware of the dangers of obesity the same way we make people aware of the dangers of smoking, we have to be in their faces.

Why? It's none of your (or my) business.
on Sep 04, 2006
Why? It's none of your (or my) business.


Good point, Mason. Does that mean we're going to start telling people to stop driving their cars, because it's a huge health epidemic (read: killer) too? I've got a few extra pounds, but I think that's safe to say about most of us. There's no reason to get sacrosanct about it.
on Sep 04, 2006
It is unhealthy to be overweight. It can kill you. It's not nice to make fun of fat people, some really do struggle with the problem of being fat.

Some are so used to living the way they are they do get complacent and too comfortable they don't realize what they are and how they are until it's pointed out to them. Some just plumb give up because they're too old and all that's left is for them to die. This is the wrong attitude, however a lot of it also has to do with depression.

Health, lack of it, and most times the reason for it, is the cause for some people being fat and that's no joke to them.

If someone is not ready to do something about it, then no one can help them and that's a fact. I don't agree that our world should outright cater to people who are obese but they shouldn't make it so hard for them either. The good thing is there has been such a wave of fitness, and healthy related programs now, many people realise the problem and are doing something about it. That's the good news.
on Sep 04, 2006
I don't agree that our world should outright cater to people who are obese but they shouldn't make it so hard for them either.


I agree.
on Sep 04, 2006

Most live with it, and dont decide to make it a federal issue

I don't know about making a federal issue over it,  I do know that people that are obese are costing the government a LOT of money, with health issues such as heart disease.  Helping them access transportation, having reasonable accomodations such as big enough chairs, big enough seating in church,  and I COULD go on and probably shouldn't,  will help start changing our country. 

 Healthier attitudes towards our own people in our own country would only be a positive change. 

NOT being able to function in society as one would like is good incentive to get help and get healthy.

To me, that's backward reasoning, not unlike what my sister told me our mom said.  Our mom had told her I didn't get to have dance lessons "because people might laugh at me because I was plump".  That's backward reasoning!!  If people can get out and do things, they're happier,  they then want to do things.  If I had been allowed to have dance lessons,  I would have gotten exercise, developed self-confidence, gotten stronger and toned.

    try reversing that thinking Tex,  if people can access things they need, they're more likely to do stuff, and go and feel good because they know they can do so without finding things too small. 

Most are just people who lack self control when it comes to stuffing their face.

Mason you're coming across as being a little cold here, imho,  do you detest obesity? or is it the problem with compulsive eating that you seem to detest?  just curious.

In no way must people be made to feel comfortable with obesity

Jennifer, people that are morbidly obese aren't comfortable at all,  if we can be supportive of our fellow human being,  the world would only be a better place.  Just my opinion,

 {"We, however, can't continue to make life uncomfortable for them in order to make it go away." }

I found your article very interesting Sally! and your attitude mature and aware of reality,  without being personally involved with your emotions,  which is a whole lot more than I can say for myself!!

Many people do act like ostriches,  their heads in the sand,  ignoring that which isn't going to "go away" or change without a different take on life. 

We CAN'T change people's attitudes, minds, behaviors OR choices, whether it's about our own eating habits, or other people's eating habits.  We CAN though make it possible for ALL to participate in life,  to be able to sit comfortably in a public place,  attend church services,  or other things that are part of one's life.

I believe that the only thing that DOES help with the obesity issue is for the people that have it to take responsibilty for their own actions,  without blaming the world.  That might include counseling, diet, exercise, spirituality, and/or even surgery.

  AND I think and believe that if those that are so judgemental ( especially verbally towards obese people) and critical WOULD have a change in attitude they would be helping themselves,  for their very harsh demeanor shows who and how they are in the world.  IF they were to develop a disease ( such as ALS) that kept them from moving around as needed to stay slim,  then they themselves,  would become overweight, out of shape.  Probably not like the morbid obese,  still they no longer would be so wonderful any more.

Think about it.

Anyone that condemns another is a just a breath away from the same happening to them.  I've seen it go down.

I see the way we've treated people in our country, that are different from the majority, as nothing less than shameful.  It doesn't help anyone or anything to laugh at them, critize them, or ignore them and their disease. 

 

on Sep 04, 2006
try reversing that thinking Tex, if people can access things they need, they're more likely to do stuff, and go and feel good because they know they can do so without finding things too small.


I'm VERY familiar with the challenges and issues that come with morbid obesity.

I am secure in my reasoning.
on Sep 04, 2006

If someone is not ready to do something about it, then no one can help them and that's a fact

Insightful serenity and your comments were the type I wanted to say,  however it took me an hour!!  to tone down my responses to some of the other comments....I had to change my comments a cajillion times!

I like what you had to say,  you said it very well and didn't stomp on toes while doing it!  Great going serenity!

on Sep 04, 2006
Mason you're coming across as being a little cold here, imho, do you detest obesity? or is it the problem with compulsive eating that you seem to detest? just curious.

Not at all, but when I see someone sitting in a McDonald's scarfing down 3 Big Macs, large fries, and a shake it's not hard to figure out why they weigh 400lbs is it?

I saw a guy in a truckstop recently that had to weigh at least 400lbs and probably more than that. He made several trips to the buffet and returned each time with a couple of plates overloaded with food. I can't feel sorry for someone who does that to himself. It's their life and their health and none of my business, just don't ask me to feel sorry for them because it isn't gonna happen. If they don't have enough sense to know they are fat becaue they eat too much, it's not my problem.

Hey, I know I have a bit of a gut and I know exactly why. I enjoy drinking beer. I don't make excuses for it, I don't expect anyone to feel sorry for me because of it, and I do exercise to keep it under control. If I were to allow myself to become grossly obese as a result of it I would have nobody but myself to blame for it.

Sorry, I believe in a couple of little things called self control and personal responsibility and live my life accordingly.

IF they were to develop a disease ( such as ALS) that kept them from moving around as needed to stay slim, then they themselves, would become overweight, out of shape.

Hardly the same thing as someone who simply can't stop stuffing their face though. I acknowledged the fact that some are fat due to health problems, but again they are not in the majority of those who are obese.
on Sep 04, 2006

Hey, I know I have a bit of a gut and I know exactly why. I enjoy drinking beer. I don't make excuses for it
I don't expect anyone to feel sorry for me because of it,
   

just don't ask me to feel sorry for them

 

I can't feel sorry for someone who does that to himself

From you're having mentioned this a couple of times,  I get the impression that you think I was suggesting that we should feel sorry for them.  If that was the case,  there's a misunderstanding here.  I don't recommend we feel sorry for someone's lifestyle and choices.  I do think it makes sense to accept reality,  this will probably never go away.  If we can make things in life,  like big enough seats,  then they can go about their lives without facing one more obstacles. 

It would be wonderful if people ( not you Mason) just people in general,  cared about other people just a little, had some compassion,  because to get to the point where a person is living like the guy you mentioned,  well they are hurting,   mentally as well as being uncomfortable physically. 

I think a person of that size has more going on than a lack of "self-control"  I think it's a case of compulsive overeating,  and if that's a disease,  similar to alchoholism, gambling, I don't know.  I'm sure that a person in that position needs some kind of therapy such as counseling for addiction.  Just my guess. 

 

they were to develop a disease ( such as ALS) that kept them from moving around as needed to stay slim, then they themselves, would become overweight, out of shape.

Hardly the same thing as someone who simply can't stop stuffing their face though. I acknowledged the fact that some are fat due to health problems, but again they are not in the majority of those who are obese.

Point taken and well made.

on Sep 04, 2006

Reply By: Texas Wahine
I'm VERY familiar with the challenges and issues that come with morbid obesity.

I am secure in my reasoning.

Perhaps you wouldn't care to,  I DO wish we could sit down and discuss our views on this,  as I too am very secure and very familiar with those challenges and issues that come with morbid obesity.  I carry no animosity towards you Tex,  I hope I haven't hurt you with my opinion as I wasn't trying to. 

I wish I understood your reasoning on what you said.  For me,  if I can't participate in life's activities because of my weight,  then it is only depressing and I would sink further into what put me into that position in the first place!  If I could get out and do things in spite of my size,  I'd lose weight. 

That's just me though.

Wish they had a emotiocon that showed  a hand reaching out in friendship.. 

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