Guest column
by: Virginia Dicken
Doctoral student in applied psychology
I am fat.
Four feet, 11 inches, 225 pounds — FAT. This is a fact about me, no more a shame than the fact that I am short, blue-eyed and have attached earlobes. Michelle Obama, however, thinks my body is a failure. Her “anti-obesity” campaign is an attempt to stereotype and eradicate people like me.
Though she claims to be concerned about health more than size, her rhetoric conveys that fat people are inactive and overfed, that we can be judged by size and that if we were all doing the “right things,” we’d all be thin.
Most people believe and act on such myths. Weight loss is a multibillion-dollar industry, though no program has ever been shown to work long term.
Kindergartners believe fat people are dirty, lazy and stupid. Insurers charge us extra, regardless of health or habits. We are restricted in travel, adoption and employment. People encounter and endorse anti-fat messages everywhere — including at SIUC.
I have learned well that my body is unacceptable here. A 2005 Daily Egyptian comic strip featured a thin man “mooing” at a group of fat people in a cafeteria. I guess that was supposed to be funny.
Thursday’s DE contained an “obesity” headline and an anti-fat cartoon in the Voices section. In 2007, I was enjoying a rare ice-cream treat when two students walked past and said, disgusted, “You should stop eating at DQ.”
A Facebook group exists for thin people declaring “I’m Not the Reason SIUC is the 4th Fattest School,” illustrated with a shaming “faceless fattie” picture.
“Obesity” is discussed in classes without any critique, forcing me as a TA to grade papers filled with calls to do away with my kind. A campus bulletin board last year asked “If everybody were physically educated, would there be an obesity epidemic?” implying I am a failure of PE.
At the Student Center this year, a poster depicting a fat person eating an enormous burger encouraged people to “Waist Less.” I was even once advised not to accept an assistantship because the supervisor is notorious for harassing larger people, leaving diet brochures in employee mail slots and telling students who come for academic support that they need to lose weight.
The final straw was the Saluki Healthiest Loser competition, which claims to be about health and not weight, but still most heavily rewards losing inches and fat. It ignores the fact that many people can change behaviors and remain the size they were before, and weight fluctuations are often short-term. It ignores how decreased stigma and increased acceptance promote longer-lasting health improvements.
Yes, SIUC has a weight problem, but it isn’t the fat people. It’s fat-phobia. While pleasurable activity and nourishing foods can improve everyone’s well-being, Obama’s anti-fat campaign is unnecessary here.
Fatties on this campus have already received the message our bodies signify individual and societal failure, unhealthiness and shame.
It’s time for a new direction. It’s time for a size-diversity organization and a Saluki Biggest Winner program, teaching people the facts about sizism, fat-positivity and “health-at-every-size.”
Related posts:
The reason people discriminate toward fat people is because their laziness and lifestyle choices burden everyone else with the added medical costs. Have some self-respect.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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“Lifestyle choices” have little to do with body weight, friend Jasper. In America, fat people and thin people largely eat the same foods and do the same activities. Furthermore, 95% of weight loss attempts are unsuccessful – as in, the weight comes back in 5 years or less as the body adjusts to the new calorie and activity level. This includes dietary changes, exercise, AND surgery.
As for medical costs, hrmph. Plz to read this: http://kateharding.net/faq/but-dont-you-realize-fat-is-unhealthy/
Many conditions blamed on obesity are inherited and their relationship to body weight is not well understood. I myself have been rail-thin my entire life, but nevertheless have high blood pressure. Halle Berry has Type II diabetes. My thin life partner has high blood pressure AND high cholesterol. My obese exercise partner (yes, fat people exercise! really!) has none of these conditions.
Lastly, even if fat people *could* change their bodies, who cares if they don’t want to? Why do they have some moral obligation to be “prettier” for observers? I submit that each of us is only obligated to be decorative to the degree that we wish for ourselves, and others who don’t like how I look (for example) may feel free to kiss my scrawny grits.
I was really glad to see this column in the paper today as it was obviously long overdue. Jasper may be hateful and misinformed but many of us out here in SIU-land are trying to spread the word. I encourage Ms. Dicken to go on fighting the good fight!
Hot debate. What do you think?
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I was shocked when I first read this article, and I was more shocked seeing that the sensible comment by Jasper was hidden due to low comment rating and that someone else posted a comment defending this article.
This is absurd. First of all, Virginia, Michelle Obama does not think your body is a failure, it’s those kind of ingenuous remarks that undermine one’s humanity. Obesity is a serious problem in America, and unlike what you believe, the problem isn’t that we have to look at fat people, the problem is that a remarkable percentage of Americans are obese, especially compared to other countries. Jasper said it perfectly in saying “have some self-respect.” This article is nothing more than an excuse by someone whose probably lived a life of being ridiculed for being fat. Then when we have a President whose trying to do a good thing for this country, when we have a President and a First Lady who are trying to promote healthy living, when they’re trying to lower medical costs for this country, they’re attacked and painted as people who don’t want to have to look at fat people. That very notion is outrageous.
I agree that being fat as much one’s personal fault as it used to be. As consumers, we have no healthy choices. There’s high fructose corn syrup in just about everything, our food is not natural or organic, and if you happen to stumble upon organic food it costs much more. We should be stressing a major change in our agriculture and food industries, by breaking up monopolies and enforcing standards on these companies, but at the same time we need to stress personal responsibility. And the author of this article isn’t blaming herself for being obese, she doesn’t blame her limited variety of choices for bein obese, she’s claiming the only bad people here are the one’s trying to prevent obesity and help those who are obese. It’s mind-blowing…
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Well, the comments here have certainly proven the point of the column. Clearly some folks are wed to their belief that “obesity” (a relatively undefined term– the criteria change regularly) is a growing problem (the most recent population shift ended about a decade ago) that has to be addressed by changing the eating habits and moving habits of large people (instead of the health habits of all people) to make them smaller people (something I have never found a single study to support is possible in all of my graduate research). Ah well. I can’t change the minds of people who make assumptions about me, are dead set on forcing me to justify my size, and want me to feel bad about it and wish it would change. And I can’t change the minds of those who are so disgusted by the sight of me that they will scapegoat people like me for problems such as increasing healthcare costs. (Did you know it is weight loss attempts, not weight itself, that cause many of the health problems associated with “obesity”? Irony much?)
But for those who like to look at things with a critical eye instead of swallowing what the anti-fat industries push on you, here are some references to get you started:
The Fat Studies Reader (Solovay, Wann, & Rothblum, 2009 – great academic book to get the “big picture” of fat life, oppression, health, politics, law, etc)
The epidemiology of overweight and obesity: public health
crisis or moral panic? (Campos P, Saguy A, Ernsberger P, Oliver E, Gaesser G. in the International Journal of Epidemiology 2005;35:55–60)
Absolute Advantage: Health at Every Size (Jon Robison – can be found at http://www.welcoa.org/news.php?entryid=242)
Big Fat Lies: The Truth About Your Weight and Health (Glenn Gaesser)
Obesity: An Overblown Epidemic? (W. Wayt Gibbs, Scientific American 2005; 292(6):70–76)
And for those not so into reading researched articles and nerdy books, google “health at every size” and “size diversity.” Good stuff out there.
Happy learning!
Hot debate. What do you think?
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I tend to agree with burrito about the anti-obesity campaign. Obesity is a huge issue in the United States. Is it so bad to encourage eating better and an hour of physical activity a day, especially for children? No one should be burdened with obesity simply because of ignorance. People just don’t know how to eat well, and I admit, I’m one of them. I’m now in my mid-twenties and boy-o is it hard to learn how to eat right and treat my body better at this age than it would be if I was taught to eat right as a child.
While I disagree with Ms. Dicken’s views on the anti-obesity campaign, I am appalled by her story of being ridiculed for eating ice cream. Really? When did it become okay to make fun of people just for their size? In fact, when did it become okay to mock people at all?
People who joke at the expense of others should be ashamed of themselves. I’m sure we’re all guilty of it, but please think twice before you speak. Remember that the person you’re putting down is someone’s friend, daughter, sister, brother, son, aunt, uncle, etc. and most especially, remember that person is a *person* just like you.
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This article is fantastic! Thank you for your vulnerability. It’s difficult to be something different than the “perfect” whatever that may be: age, weight, race, religion, etc. People get judged for any number of reasons.
It seems to me that being fit has a lot more to do with health than numbers on a scale.
Haiti’s tragic earthquake brings much to mind:
I know a man who spent 8 hours digging people out of the rubble after the earthquake. He did this with help from adrenaline, and also from being in incredible physical shape. Not only can you save your life through fitness, but you can ALSO help save lives. We are not often put in these situations of imminent life and death, but when we are, we realize that our decisions all add up.
While he was digging people out, some people could not escape through the space that he had painstakingly and lovingly dug with his bare hands. Obviously many people died from impact. Added to this sorrowful number though are those who could not escape the passageways that the smaller people were able to make through. After the impact size REALLY did count. This fact alone makes me consider my own extra weight and fitness level.
Personal health is not a personal decision either. It effects everyone in our life, if we want to face that fact. Our family and friends love us and want us to live, frequently the foods we eat are slow suicide. I ask myself often: am I eating this to live, or am I living to eat?
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As a participant in the Saluki Healthiest Loser challenge this semester, I am disappointed that someone would put down a program that teaches people how to workout, eat healthier, and live a healthier life. Just because you are proud to be obese doesn’t mean everyone else needs to be. I am obese and I am trying my best to get down to a healthy body composition. The higher a body’s fat percentage, the higher the risks for many diseases.
Also, I know what it’s like to be made fun of for my size, although the author makes it sound as if it’s only her problem. I feel like the author is doing more harm than good with this article. I will never be skinny…that’s the way my body is built. But, I can be healthy and happy with the way I look, and not at an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, etc.
Finally, the author says, “Weight loss is a multibillion-dollar industry, though no program has ever been shown to work long term.” This is flat out false. If we change our habits and really look at why we act (both in exercise and in eating habits) we can make long-term lifestyle changes that will affect us for the rest of our lives.
It is really irritating that this author would single out a program that is helping me to live a healthier life. I am psyched about how well the Saluki Healthiest Loser program is going this semester. I’ve had countless conversations with my teammates about eating habits and exercise changes. We are working hard to ensure that we are healthier, which will help us in every aspect of our lives. I really don’t care if some people want to be “obese and proud.” When it comes to a person’s health, “obese and proud” and just “obese” carry with them the same increased risks. I’m going to be healthy for myself…not anyone else.
Thanks
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Obese people are at risk for many diseases? Yes, but weight loss attempts actually cause/exacerbate of many of them, and others (like diabetes) are linked to the same gene. It’s not a simple “fat causes disease” relationship. People who remain fat but are physically active and accepting of themselves tend to have normal risk profiles. Obese people may find themselves trapped in an earthquake? True. Same goes for tall people, pregnant people, and people with many disabilities. Thinner people will die earlier if lost at sea. So what? People have different bodies.
Do any of you know of the conditions for which fat people have REDUCED risk (even after controlling for age, smoking, and other research confounds that usually affect weight-health research)? Lung cancer, premenopausal breast cancer, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hip fracture, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, and even suicide. Also, fat people are more likely to survive a heart attack. Look up “the obesity paradox.”
Hot debate. What do you think?
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All of the “fat deniers” or “proud to be obese” or whatever they want to label themselves as can use any excuse in the book to justify their lifestyle choices. But if they would spend half as much time actually learning about proper nutrition and exercising, they wouldn’t have to scour the web for support groups and such because they wouldn’t be OBESE anymore.
As a personal trainer and someone who puts effort into my physique, I can honestly say that the human body is capable of amazing things. I’ve seen clients of mine who, once educated on proper nutrition and exercise, have shown great results and have improved their physiques beyond what they thought was ever possible.
Notice I don’t use the word “DIET”. That word implies adhering to a specific number of calories and exercise for a certain amount of time, until a goal weight is achieved, and then the dieter usually quits and goes back to their normal habits. What really works are lifestyle changes and education about nutrition. Do those fatties who go to the gym and go on the Atkin’s diet for a week before they decide “I just can’t lose weight, I’m meant to be fat” REALLY know anything about nutrition? Do they know that a gram of protein and carbohydrates is 4 calories? It’s really not that hard, it just takes effort to learn about these concepts which truly work, not just the latest fad diet.
Why are we the fattest country? Is it because Amercians have evolved in the last 30 years? I don’t think so. It’s because of laziness and poor diet. Look back in the 1950′s… very few people were fat. Why are so many more people fat today?
I don’t understand why anyone would want to brainwash themselves into thinking that being obese is OK and that it doesn’t really matter how they look. “Fat Acceptance…” lol. What’s next, Body Odor Acceptance? Obese people are hired less in jobs, paid lower than their attractive counterparts, and typically do not attract desirable mates. You’ve only got one life to live… get off the couch, put down the cheetos, and start living your life! VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE GENETICALLY DISPOSED TO BEING FAT.
I would ask the author – do you have an understanding of basic nutritional and exercise concepts? Have you ever tried 100% to make changes to better yourself?
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Unfortunately there is an alarming relationship between obesity and the incidence of disease. Obese persons may be more likely to survive a heart attack based upon statistics, however, if obese people have more heart attacks, then the statistics may seem like they survive more of them!
I feel like VDicken’s comments suggest that obese persons are heart healthy as they survive more heart attacks. I would also be interested to see/read any supporting data that anyone has that suggests that obesity is healthy…..I will save you some time, there is no supporting data.
The great thing about all of our lives is that we can choose to do what we want to do. Live your life as you want to live it. Of course with every choice we make, others may not like that choice, they may even voice their opinions about it. I feel people need to be educated about health so they understand the factors which influence obesity, genetics definitely have a role, however, so do your lifestyle choices. The so-called hate culture has developed out of limited education on this topic, from both sides.
To quote Confucius:
“Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean”. Do what you can do to be healthy by eating healthy and being physically active. If others choose to, or choose not to, that is their choice and is okay.
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It seems to me that this conversation is not really getting anywhere. The research is very clear in support of healthy living…not fad dieting or ridiculous exercise, but eating healthy and choosing to live a more active life. Obesity is a big problem for our country, and unless we can help each other gain control over our own lives, we may not have them as long as we would like. I feel like this article was misinformed…just someone who wanted to complain about people being fit.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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And…. no response. Shocking.
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Thanks, Virginia, for an insightful and timely piece. I’ve seen a few comments above that accuse MS. Dicken of being unaware of current research. And yet, she’s the only one who has provided any citations or literature on the subject and she has a degree in health education to back her up. Those of us, like Ms. Dicken, who consider ourselves scholars, often find ourselves up against sacred cows of “common sense,” like oh, say the myth that obesity is inherently problematic and a disease.
So to those of you clinging to your antiquated notions, I suggest you read up on Ms. Dicken’s sources. Then do your own research. Come to your own conclusions. And if after that you want to continue discussing this, do me a favor and SHOW ME THE DATA.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Since apparently no one knows that there is plenty of research out there on how obesity can increase risks for certain ailments, here is some of the research I’ve been able to find.
This article talks about a group of researchers from Norway who have found links between obesity and multiple types of cancer as well as type 2 diabetes.
http://diabetes-diagnosis.suite101.com/article.cfm/obesity_research_links_type_2_diabetes_cancer
This article by health economist Roland Sturm and psychiatrist Kenneth Wells talks about the different links between obesity and certain chronic health conditions.
http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB4549/index1.html
Finally, this article put out by the US Department of Health and Human Services is a basic overview of disease/syndromes that are either increased by obesity or improved by weight loss/healthy eating and physical activity levels.
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/health_risks.htm
There is plenty of research documenting the epidemic of obesity, especially in this country. I have read through the research Ms. Dicken presented, but find that the research above is supported just as well by the medical community. Just thought I would give some references for people to see both sides of this issue.
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I find it almost criminal that someone in a position of authority would say that obesity isn’t a problem. Yes fad dieting does not work, it’s been said that if every diet worked it would be the only one out there. However what does work is making healthy eating choices over a “lifetime” and staying active daily. Obesity is a problem in the United States that grows by 1% each year and cost around 147 billion dollars per year to treat the direct and in-direct problems associated with it. It ultimately raises health care costs for those of us that choose to stay active and make proper food choices.
What bothers me more is that as the obesity rate in the United States has grown by leaps and bounds in the last ten years, they feel they are a minority group. We cannot help whether we are gay or straight, we cannot help the color of our skin, but obesity is about choices. Those of you that have a body mass index of 30+ have made your choices to eat unhealthy, to take the elevator when you can take the stairs. You do not deserve special treatment and if I had it my way you’d be paying a “FAT TAX” to help lower health care costs for the rest of us, until you could prove that your making an attempt to improve yourself.\
If they want to feel better about themselves then start exercising, because it’s been proven to help improve confidence and self worth. Until then, get your fat a@@ on a treadmill,eliptical, or stairmaster, and stop eating cheese fries for god sake.
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