Comments on: “Fat” vs “obese”

By: Fallout over “fatties” comment « Health & Swellness

Fallout over “fatties” comment « Health & Swellness — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:28:17 +0000

[...] Thoughts on what she wrote? The topic always seems to spark much discussion, check the commentary on the Health & Swellness post on the public health minister of England bel… [...]

By: healthandswellness

healthandswellness — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:10:28 +0000

Well said, EB, and thank you for sharing.

By: Emily Bee

Emily Bee — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:34:08 +0000

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.

By: Funkymunky

Funkymunky — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:08:23 +0000

good discussion :)

By: healthandswellness

healthandswellness — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:32:37 +0000

Very interesting viewpoints, ladies!

By: Yuki

Yuki — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:11:46 +0000

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.

By: Funkymunky

Funkymunky — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:12:59 +0000

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.

By: healthandswellness

healthandswellness — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:14:17 +0000

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?

By: Funkymunky

Funkymunky — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:05:18 +0000

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.