Why is criticizing obesity considered body shaming?

in OCD5 years ago


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The past decade had its ups and downs and one of the characteristics of it was the evolution of very sensitive humans presumably armed by the Liberals who I kind of respect but quite frankly don't understand. Terms like "hate speech", "body shaming" and "bullying" became commonplace, and were sometimes used to hide the blatant truth.

Obesity is a Health Condition

There are many misconceptions about the issue and that's part of what leads to the problem. I don't encourage bullying or trash-talking unless it's against crooked politicians. However, what a lot of us have failed to realize is that obesity is actually a life-threatening health condition capable of reducing life expectancy by up to 7 years if not treated.

Now I'm no health expert but I can assure you that taking away 7 years from my total time on Earth will really suck but for some reason, talking about the issue with an obviously obsessed person seems to be frowned upon.

Simply being "fat" isn't obesity but it is probably the most obvious symptom of the health condition. Some other symptoms and effects of obesity include fatigue, high blood pressure, menstrual and fertility disorders, birth defects, depression, social stigmatization, diabetes, SEXUAL PERFORMANCE and lots more.

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to an extent that it may have a negative effect on health. People are generally considered obese when their body mass index (BMI), a measurement obtained by dividing a person's weight by the square of the person's height, is over 30 kg/m2; the range 25–30 kg/m2 is defined as overweight. Wikipedia

It isn't as straight forward as the definition because factors like age, height, body type and gender also come into fray. For example, research has shown that when you get closer to your 60s, it is actually healthy to have a BMI in the 25-29 range, which is actually overweight for a younger adult and muscular people(like me) may also fall into the overweight category because of muscle mass. Considering how simply complicated and critical it is, I wonder why people feel so uncomfortable with the topic.

Screenshot 393.png
Turns out I'm overweight

So if someone hits me with the "you look like you're putting on a few pounds" or other variants, I won't get mad. it's an annoying fact and judging by my BMI above, I'm probably overweight anyways. That's just one step away from obesity so I have to watch out.


Silhouettes and waist circumferences representing optimal, overweight, and obese

Health experts have suggested numerous ways to fix this health condition including exercise and cutting down on certain meals as well. I talked about how I lost 8Kg in the 2019 calendar year with out serious exercise and while it is an unothordox method, it proved to be relatively successful for me. I know it's difficult sometimes but don't be ashamed of it, make a conscious decision for your health's sake. You only live once after all.

Here are a couple of places you can check your BMI as well, what's the word champ?

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haha and I have the problem that I'm a hardgainer.. :D

You're so lucky. I have diet and take extra measures to prevent myself from gaining weight.

I have chronic pain and had a time where I couldnt move at all.
Since then I only weight 50kg, and can't get any more.. -_-
dunno if that's really lucky..

Oh I'm sorry about that, I didn't know. I thought you had good metabolism like those skinny people that never grow fat.
I hope you're better now.

I thought you had good metabolism like those skinny people that never grow fat.

Yes, I guess I am.. still it doesnt help me but makes it even harder at the moment.

I'm on a good way, thanks mate :)

Glad to hear that.

I remember when i was living in USA people would be very subtle about letting people know they were getting chunky and i don't think that is the right way to go. When i was getting bigger it happened gradually and since an individual can't notice these gradual changes on their own, i think that body-shaming is a good thing. I'm not saying that people should run around calling bigger people fatties or anything but sometimes the truth is a lot better than lying.

In Thailand, the culture is one of no such subtleties, Thai people will tell you straight to your face that you are fat in a friendly, non-confrontational way. They do the same thing with good attributes too and I think over the years I have come to enjoy this sort of honesty.

That Thai mentality is what I'm encouraging but sadly, even Nigerians are adopting that USA approach and it makes people like me sound "insensitive to other's feelings".

Im on the skinny angle....stuck at 60kg for over 3years or more now....each tine i seem to have added a bit, someone sees me and goes....Akin youve lost weight o....im like wtf man! I can tell my niggas theyre fat.....lool....cant tell the ladies though

You're so fucking lucky. Man I get fat by breathing air. Fucking annoying.

Lmaooo this made me laugh mhn

It's so frustrating lol

These days I can't be bothered to sugarcoat words only to be considered tactless by overly sensitive people. People living in denial will find fault in others no matter what. If they choose to die early so be it. The thing that made my blood boil is if a French person say the same thing then it's considered coming from a place of love but coming out from the mouth of a Chinese person suddenly sound mean, inconsiderate, racist and etc. We will be hated regardless. Probably a White person's fart smells better. Silence is golden!

So true. If they're not mad about race, they'll be mad about body type or some other bullshit. People are just angry and sad

It really doesn't matter if a person is obese, overweight or underweight ... no one has the right to be making remarks about it. If you're friends with the person and you have a conversation where the friend gets where you are coming from, that is one thing. Thinking you have the right to make remarks about another person's looks is just rude and says way more about the speaker than the person the remarks are targeted at. And yes, people are just as rude to someone who is underweight as someone who is overweight.

IF a person feels the need to check on someone's appearance.. they should start and end with their own.

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What if it's a loved one and it's not just about appearance but a genuine health concern?

And yeah, I'll sign up

it's one thing to have a conversation with a loved one who has opened that door .. quite another to take it upon yourself to kick the door open.

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