Why should we accept and accommodate people being fat?

[elmarko]

Part of the problem is the woefully poor understanding in the general public, I mean let's just look at one singular example - in recent studies of the FTO gene related to the hunger hormone ghrelin.

"People have two copies of the FTO gene - one from each parent - and each copy comes in a high- and a low-risk form. Those with two-high risk copies of the FTO gene are thought to be 70% more likely to become obese than those with low-risk genes."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTO_gene#Association_with_obesity

16% carry 2 rogue copies of the DNA and are 70% more likely to be obese
49% carry one flawed FTO gene and are 30% more likely to be obese

Just one of literally countless factors, if it really is about laziness - how can simply carrying a flawed gene be such a strong predictive variable when ascertaining how likely a person is to become obese?.

 

[Tunney]

I'm not fat, I'm festively plump.

 

[pitchfork]

I'm not fat, I'm festively plump.

You fat *******.

 

[Freefaller]

There may be some genetic issues, but it doesn't account for the prevalence and clear steady increase in obesity over the last 30 years.

 

[elmarko]

There may be some genetic issues, but it doesn't account for the prevalence and clear steady increase in obesity over the last 30 years.

Indeed.

Poor diet, lack of self-control, increased sugar content in foods, increase in popularity of sedentary jobs will play a huge part.

It's clearly an issue which has numerous causes & will require likely as many solutions - even laziness has an underline cases (poor parenting, depression) & solutions (behavioural therapy, positive active social interactions, promotion of exercise etc).

 

[tom_e]

There may be some genetic issues, but it doesn't account for the prevalence and clear steady increase in obesity over the last 30 years.

That's down to the heavy bones from all the Adamantium, there you go I've cracked it all fatties are actually failed Wolverines!

 

[Lysander]

There may be some genetic issues, but it doesn't account for the prevalence and clear steady increase in obesity over the last 30 years.

It's the cakes, they're breeding.

 

[V F]

It's the cakes, they're breeding.

Come on, everybody likes a cup cake.

 

[Schlong&Stable]

There's a guy sitting next to me who's in a wheelchair from a motorbike accident, no one else involved it was all his fault, why should I accomodate the changes in the office, it's disgusting.

Are you suggesting that the fatties accidentally ate all the pies?

 

[ttaskmaster]

Talk bout missing the point.
Decided to ride a motorbike which is statistically more dangerous, regardless as to why is at fault for the accident is still the persons choice.

No, that was exactly my point - It's not always a choice and it's not the bike or the riding of it that is dangerous, statistically or otherwise, as various SMIDSY studies have shown.

 

[Tuppy_Glossop]

Yeah we shouldn't accommodate fat people or call it a disability. It's blatantly not that. But you can't start with this 'burden' on society stuff, because we're all a burden on society. Ever smoked? Cancer, burden. Like drinking? Liver damage, burden. Like running? Your knees are probably ****ed, burden. Good genes? You'll live longer in old age, burden.

It's a slippery slope.

This.

There is very little that humans *need*. Food, water, protection from the elements and predators...

Be careful what you wish for if you don't want to lose the right to non-essentials.

 

[knip]

There can often be medical or psychological issues why people are overweight as well, that need dealing with, rather than just "eat less"

There's a reason for lots of people eating too much, and that reason is not always just because they are greedy.

Just saying......

 

[Freefaller]

Indeed.

Poor diet, lack of self-control, increased sugar content in foods, increase in popularity of sedentary jobs will play a huge part.

It's clearly an issue which has numerous causes & will require likely as many solutions - even laziness has an underline cases (poor parenting, depression) & solutions (behavioural therapy, positive active social interactions, promotion of exercise etc).

Indeed. Modern farming and food manufacturing has completely destroyed the nutritional content of many foods - but they can produce them cheaply and makes them accessible and affordable to many - it's not right, but that's the business model they use.

I'd far prefer seeing less refined/processed food, and real drive to push for good quality foods. However, people want that freedom of choice (as they should) but unfortunately they make a choice that appeals rather than making the effort that is required.

That's down to the heavy bones from all the Adamantium, there you go I've cracked it all fatties are actually failed Wolverines!

Dammit I never got the memo

It's the cakes, they're breeding.

Mmmmm cake.

 

[Lysander]

Part of the problem is the woefully poor understanding in the general public, I mean let's just look at one singular example - in recent studies of the FTO gene related to the hunger hormone ghrelin.

"People have two copies of the FTO gene - one from each parent - and each copy comes in a high- and a low-risk form. Those with two-high risk copies of the FTO gene are thought to be 70% more likely to become obese than those with low-risk genes."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTO_gene#Association_with_obesity

16% carry 2 rogue copies of the DNA and are 70% more likely to be obese
49% carry one flawed FTO gene and are 30% more likely to be obese

Just one of literally countless factors, if it really is about laziness - how can simply carrying a flawed gene be such a strong predictive variable when ascertaining how likely a person is to become obese?.

Reminds me of that amazing interview with Peter Cook, when he talks about Elizabeth Taylor having fat genes. He went through this elaborate description of her being in her hotel room and fancying a snack and trying to stave it off. But no, it's too late! Her genes have better ideas! Cook then went through this anecdote of her genes breaking down the hotel door and force-feeding an eclair into her mouth against her better wishes. Priceless stuff.

 

[tom_e]

Dammit I never got the memo

You're special enough as it is you don't need the help

 

[robgmun]

Reminds me of that amazing interview with Peter Cook, when he talks about Elizabeth Taylor having fat genes. He went through this elaborate description of her being in her hotel room and fancying a snack and trying to stave it off. But no, it's too late! Her genes have better ideas! Cook then went through this anecdote of her genes breaking down the hotel door and force-feeding an eclair into her mouth against her better wishes. Priceless stuff.

It can be a jackal and hyde thing. I've experienced it myself on occasion in that your subconscious wants it so bad you're consciously trying to fight it. But then your body reacts by fighting back acting like you're withdrawing from crack or something. And you will not feel better until you eat what you crave.

In those situations you have to have almost god like will power to overcome it. To me i truly believe that for some people (Not all fat people) it can be very similar to Alcoholism

 

[Freefaller]

You're special enough as it is you don't need the help

I am speshul

 

[Sharlaw]

Does everyone assume that those who are overweight just eat too much and do little exercise?
There are people who are genuinely overweight through no fault of their own, would you simply tar everyone with the same brush?

 

[tom_e]

I am speshul

We know it's the only explanation for double booking oneself when there is a full on homo bro down planned.

Does everyone assume that those who are overweight just eat too much and do little exercise?
There are people who are genuinely overweight through no fault of their own, would you simply tar everyone with the same brush?

Yes because in a massive percentage of the cases that's what it is, yes there is a small amount of overweight people who are that way due to outside factors such as my house mate who used to be a tiny little woman but due to the migraine medication she's been put on has piled on 3st in the last year and it would take some serious work for her to loose any of it as along with being great at preventing migraines it's also one of if not the most prescribed medication to get underweight people to gain weight because it's so good at it.

 

[Mr Badger]

There are people who are genuinely overweight through no fault of their own, would you simply tar everyone with the same brush?

That clearly depends on the size of the brush...