[FatNewsBot]

America's Fat Hatred (Newsweek)

Anti-fat rhetoric is getting nastier than ever. Why our overweight nation hates overweight people.

published 08-26-2009 10:12 AM

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Have a read of the article and post your comments here.

What have you learned? How has it helped you? We look forward to your discussion.

[MsVickie]

Heres another smart report..... not.

[SarJen01]

Did you read the article all the way through? I think it's an accurate and blunt accounting of what's going on in America. It's not pretty.

Some of those paragraphs hit uncomfortably close to home for me. I'm not really proud of that, but it's true. For years and years I felt that I was overweight because I made bad food choice and didn't exercise enough (lack of control) - even when I was making good choices and exercising (but not losing weight)! For the past two months I haven't lost very much. Doubts are starting to creep into my mind - am I out of control? Making bad choices? Lazier than I was 3 months ago? Even when I'm armed with all the things I've learned in the past year, those doubts will creep in. They are from a lifetime of hearing and being told that overweight people are out of control. I'm constantly trying to figure out how to shake that attitude towards myself. For me it's like trying to unlearn saying "thank you" - nearly impossible because it was pounded into my head during childhood....along with "fat is unattractive and to be despised".

I don't have answers for any of the issues that the article brought up. I wish that everyone could just be happy with themselves and refrain from taking their anger with themselves out on other people. Dreamer.

[MsVickie]

I did read it though. But........ when you get a person writing a story like this there opinions do overflow into the article. Unless tht reporter has been there and did it they wont understand it. There is only one judge in the end........

[decker1976]

The read was a waste of time. Too much opinion and attack which is counter productive. Does anyone remember Dr. C Evart Coop? Dr. Koop was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) in March 1981 and was sworn in as the U.S. Surgeon General on November 17, 1981. He was also appointed Director of the Office of International Health in May 1982. Guess what? He was very overweight yet he made significant, positive contributions toward health issues both in the US and globally. Who wants to pitch the first stone. Not me.

[Kenyar]

i read this last night and didnt think it was worth the comment i am posting now. it didnt seem to be an article as much as someones personal blog post...someone who is most probably rail thin and never had to deal with obesity issues...

a tough pill to swallow knowing you are what no one wants to be. but thats how most of us have lived our lives to date anyways...

i see no issues with the appointee being obese. she is probably still a hell of a dr. isnt self neglect and caring for others how most of us got here to begin with???LOL. who knows...thats like saying i wouldnt go to a dr who wasnt the absolute pic of "health". does that mean they dont KNOW what theyre talking about? no. just means they're real ppl like you and me.

[inuit48]

Great post kenyar. I agree wholeheartedly.One of my best friends is married to a doctor. He is overweight and out of shape but that man spends 7 days a week seeing his patients. He spends no time on himself and very little with his wife and kids. She is fine with it, he has always been that way.They have been married for over 35 years and both of tem are happy. He is the most caring person that I've ever known in the entire world. He goes from before daylight till long past dark, 7 days a week. He is the kind who will be still practicing at 80
He isn't my doctor but my own doctor is very similar. I'd much rather either of them to a self centered one anyday.

[MsVickie]

Amen and thank you for the replies.