Women's view - Should being overweight allowed to be socially acceptable?

Question

My intentions are purely medical. Women have lower mortality and higher longevity than men. May be simply because many are somewhat more self-conscious about their weight than men. And believe me, smoking is no longer the number one killer, its obesity. So, it is of concern. CDC reports are too scary, if you see them. On the other hand, media and society in general are becoming more OK with weight problems. Its must that we be OK with overweight people, but why accept the problem? Plus size shops and what nots, they are good for already overweight people. But plus size models and pageants? Are we twisting our gluttony into idolatry? Is it alright?

Answer 1

Theoretically, no. But when being overweight is not socially acceptable, it creates an entirely different social problem based on shame, self-conciousness, and ultimately, eating disorders. So unless our society is ready to help people who are overweight, and attempt to prevent becoming overweight, we cannot condemn the condition.

Answer 2

There is enough bigotry in the world without adding to it.  And come to think of it, holier-than-thou bigots already attack the overweight.

Answer 3

Yes. People shouldn't think of weights as "acceptable" or "unacceptable". People have different body types, metabolisms, and life styles. One person's "scary skinny" might be someone else's "average".

Answer 4

No and I´m a feminist.

Answer 5

Well, I'm not a lady (at least so I've been told) but we know that in the US the top three causes of death (all comers) are ACS (acute coronary syndrome, eg. Acute MI), CVA (stroke) & Cancer.  How much of an influence Obesity plays versus cigarette smoking as a RISK factor is an entirely different matter.  Anyone who suggests that Obesisty is not a tremendous environmental risk factor is either mental or may or may not be a prostitute.

That beings said, Western society is leaning more and more toward accepting obesity as a form of disability, rather than a risk factor which can be obviated.  This is very difficult to prove and especially difficult to hear for many, but it's scientifically true.  As we learn more about the genetic loci for a propensity for obesity (at least one has been localized in Europe), as we enhance our understanding of how the descending duodenum plays a critical role in obesity (beyond merely the pancreas vis a vis insulin hyperproduction) and moreover dedicate more resources at eradicating obesity, rather than stigmatizing or glorifying it, perhaps we'll be in a better position to help patients who suffer from obesity.

There are very few fields where obesity is a positive attribute, perhaps only in obesity fetish cinema, but that's about it.

As we advance in bariatric surgery, we hope to see a decline in obesity and a corresponding decrease in the top 3 causes of death in the West.

Answer 6

People are overweight for a variety of reasons. We don't all eat too much. I've been full-figured all my life. At 5" 7' and 180lbs  I'm considered overweight. I exercise daily and eat a balanced diet. I never drink and never smoke. I'm also rarely ill with so much as a head cold. When I go to the doctor, my cholesterol levels, blood pressure and what have you are just where they should be.

On the other hand a friend of mine knows a girl who used to be my size and hated herself for it. She starved herself down to 150 lbs and now subsists on a diet of caffeine, sugar and good intentions. Her hair is brittle and her skin dry and rough.She's often ill and for long periods of time. When she tries to eat better and exercise she puts on weight, suggesting that is healthier for her.

My only point here is that you can be fat and healthy and thin and unhealthy.

And I think that fat acceptance is a good thing. Sure some people are going to use it as an excuse to be lazy. But with a lot of people, self-love and acceptance must come before meaningful healthy change. An overweight person who sees themselves as O.K. or perish the thought, beautiful is more likely to do good things for themselves. I didn't start taking such good care of myself until I learned to love myself as I am.

Answer 7

Medical issues aside, I don't think it should matter how a person is shaped.

Answer 8

Yes it should be. 100%. Believe it or not, you can feel good about yourself, even if you are overweight. I've done it all my life, and I have no qualms about my body or my health. Plus size Models are wonderful role models, and let overweight people know that they too, can look wonderful. And pageants aren't all about looks, you need a brain and a heart too.  

Answer 9

Exactly what business of ours is it what weight someone is? Drugs alcohol and smoking that stuff effects everyone around us. You are putting others at risk when you go out intoxicated and poisoning someones air when you smoke around them. How does being over weight directly hurt anyone but yourself. Obviously overweight and obese people have enough problems with their health and the way people look at them. Why add insult to injury they already know they need to change their habits why make them feel like dirt too if a plus sized person feels good about themselves what exactly is wrong with that?

Answer 10

No it shouldn't.  Being over (or under) weight is usually a symptom of something else, like, say, depression.  The trouble is, most people think they just need to lose weight, when, really, they should learn to cope with life changes better.  Focusing one's attention on weight simply shows how shallow some people are.

Answer 11

Yes of course. In the old days you had people of all shapes and sizes. Now we live in this nanny-state where being fat is a crime, being too thing is, smoking is, drinking too much is, not having a career is.

people should just be themselves and stop being told what to do by the state.

Answer 12

It depends how you define "overweight."

Those height/weight charts are too restrictive, but if a person is large enough to take up 2 seats on public transportation I'd say their weight becomes a social issue.

From a purely personal perspective, I am overweight.  I take thyroid medicine, but my body seems other wise healthy and balanced. My blood pressure and sugar levels are normal.  My cholesterol and triglycerides are normal.  I exercise regularly.  I eat restaurant food infrequently.

I wear a size 14/16.   Should my weight/lifestyle be a topic for public concern?