Why is it ok to nag about smoking but not about overeating?

Question

Smoking and overeating are both dangerous, unattractive, life-threatening behaviors. Why is it acceptable for people to say "you shouldn't smoke" but generally not to say "you shouldn't overeat"??

My brother in law smokes and my sister in law is really fat. I've seen her cook and eat and it is totally her own fault, she's educated in a medical field and she eats horribly, like doughnuts, cakes, all fried foods, tons of chips and soda, cheese sauce... she's like a heart attack in the making.

At family get togethers she'll tell everyone "hey, Bob has quit smoking! isn't that great! (he "quits" about once a year.. for a couple weeks). Can you imagine what would happen if Bob told all the relatives "hey, Mary stopped overeating fatty rich foods"...

of course you couldn't imagine that, it would be considered incredibly rude. Why the double standard??

Answer 1

Fundamentally it's about" other people's rights".

Your overeating in the office doesn't affect me, so I have no real basis for complaint.  By contrast, your smoking in the office has been statistically proven to be a hazard to me.

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Concerning whether or not you should take offence from criticism directed at you:

If from a loved one, then either complaint should be "accepted" because it is out of concern for your well-being.  However, it can be considered "unacceptable" and an intrusion into your privacy if such a concern came unsolicited from a stranger or mere acquaintance.

Answer 2

Simple.

Only something like 25% of people smoke, while over half are overweight.  So, its becoming "ok" to be a fat glutton, just like it was ok and accepted to smoke when over 50% of the US did it.

However, there is one factor not figured in.  Medical costs aside, fat people generally only hurt themselves, while second hand smoke can be deadly to every one around the smoker.  

Answer 3

It seems as though telling some one they look fat or they should really try and cut down on fat foods because they look horrible is taboo. Why is it fat people get so offended when their loved one says, baby I love you and you are beautiful but your body looks nothing like it did when I met you? They all cry or feel insulted. I think the truth is painful for some. They look in the mirror and see they don't see themselves for what over eating has done to them.