“Fat” vs “obese”
July 30, 2010
I wouldn’t want to be Anne Milton’s publicist. The public health minister for England recently gave her personal opinion that doctors and health professionals should call patients ”fat” instead of “obese” since the word “fat” is more likely to motivate them to lose weight.
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1.
Funkymunky | July 30, 2010 at 12:05 PM
To be honest, I don’t see anything wrong with it. If the person is clearly too big for their age/frame/health status, they ARE fat. The doctors, of all people, should be able to be frank with their patients.
2.
healthandswellness | July 30, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Really…you don’t feel that there’s a stigma attached to the word “fat”? Interesting. I guess I feel that it’s not always just lack of personal motivation contributing to one not losing weight, so using that word just seems like too much of a slap in the face. That make any sense?
3.
Funkymunky | July 30, 2010 at 2:12 PM
Not at all :) perhaps the reason is the fact that I only moved to Canada (and to the West) 7 years ago, and the “politically correct terms” obese and overweight don’t mean much to me. And if being told the “cold truth” is a good enough motivator for the person to start watching their weight closely – only better! Obesity statistics around the world are pretty frightening, so maybe this will give people a proper reality check?
Of course, there is a whole other side of the story of what weight puts you in the “fat” category. Will this trigger anorexia problems? Possibly, but they’ve been around before and will be around after.
4.
Yuki | July 30, 2010 at 6:11 PM
The word “fat” is a slap in the face, a cold shock of water to the face–and the wakeup call that can save someone’s life. I say call it what it is and help some people get healthy. “You’ve got too much fat. You are obese in medical terms. In plain English, I have to tell you, you’re fat. A healthy body weight for you would be…” and so on. Then conversation doesn’t have to be mean-spirited just honest. Doctors have to be honest, and they have to speak in English, in words that accurately describe a condition, to help.
5.
healthandswellness | July 30, 2010 at 9:32 PM
Very interesting viewpoints, ladies!
6.
Funkymunky | August 3, 2010 at 2:08 PM
good discussion :)
7.
Emily Bee | August 3, 2010 at 2:34 PM
As someone who has struggled with obesity and been labelled “fat” my whole life, I have to say, getting slapped in the face is not the best way to motivate someone with a weight problem.
While it is important that doctors speak to patients honestly and frankly and suggest viable solutions for their weight problem, in my opinion calling them fat is not the answer.
Those who have not struggled with obesity don’t always understand the deep psychological issues that often underly the problem and often those issues are compounded by low self-esteem and low self-confidence, which are in turn compounded by being called “fat”. We don’t have to be mean to motivate people and like it or not, the word “fat” has a negative connotation that in my opinion is not empowering or motivating. It just makes you feel worse about yourself, which is very DE-motivating.
8.
healthandswellness | August 3, 2010 at 5:10 PM
Well said, EB, and thank you for sharing.