Does Society Glamorize Obesity?

Question

Do you feel as though society, American Society in particular glamorizes obesity?

I feel as though American society definitely does. Americans seem to think obesity can not be prevented and blame obesity on everything else but themselves. Even on here, it's evident. I don't want to call anybody out, but there was a question on here about some girls thinking she was overweight, she had pictures up & instead of being honest with her, people were saying she looks fine. Problem is, she was beyond chubby or chunky or "fluffy" It was obvious she was overweight. I'm not saying people had to be rude to her, but it shows how Americans now have a different view on what obesity is.

OR for instance, when "overweight" girls call themselves curvy. Now let's get one thing straight, curvy has nothing to do with weight or fat, a person can be skinny and curvy, chubby and curvy, overweight and curvy OR skinny and curveless, chubby and curveless or overweight and curveless. BUT there seems to be quite a few women who think curvy replaces "overweight" or "obese" or "chunky" Heaven forbid someone on here mention that because all of those girls attack.

I also find it hard to believe that the average size for women is a size 12/14, I know nothing of men's sizing but I can imagine it's outrageous too.

And when I hear women like M'onique call skinny women names or talk about "loving their curves" I find that it's telling men and women they should accept their weights and do nothing about it, stay unhealthy, doesn't matter if that puts you at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, heart attack or causes you to look unattractive by what was society's standards, go ahead and stay that way,it irks me.

I think men and women should be happy with their bodies(yea, who am I to preach) but not at the expense of obesity.

This isn't necessarily a criticism although some may view it that way, nor is this an intent to put anyone down or imply that I am better or anyone is inferior or superior based on weight, but I would like some insight. If you do happen to get offended by this, well, golly oh gosh I kinda don't care.

----------> Does society glamorize obesity?

Has society's view on WHAT is chubby/chunky/overweight changed? For the better or for the worse?

rdr005 · Accepted Answer

I can see what you're saying, but I'd say most certainly not. I think about 30% of Americans are overweight.. so that leaves a large 70% that isn't. I think if anything, with hollywood and entertainment industries, commercialism, and even the shallowness of outside American-opinions of what someone should look like, people have started resorting to bullimia and anorxia for a thin body as opposed to overweight. Moreover, America has a large diversity of types of people, so multiple body frames and structures are here. There are many people I know that are just simply big, and I don't think there's much to do about that. The number of significanly overweight people really isn't that more.

Furthermore... studies are showing that its actually healthier to be about 10 pounds overweight than what was previously percieved. It's been a really long study, but shows that those people tend to have a longer life expectancy. I understand that overweightness is prevelant to heart disease and such, but in all actuality, that's kinda a myth. You can be thin or even "average" but its all based on you intake of food, even if you work off a bunch of it, if your diet isn't balanced with both veggies (ahem* carnivour lovers) and meat (yeah... talking to you vegans), dairy and grains and fruit, you just as suseptable to health problems as anyone else. If anything, I think America has just learned (in some aspects) to accept people for who they are. If you (and I mean "you" in general) wanna be thin, then you do that, but just like religion, politics, and "moral/ethical" issues... don't force it on anyone and make people feel like garbage for their decisions. They'll reap the benefits or consequences for themselves.

MandMandM · Accepted Answer

I only know of North American society what I see portrayed in the media and places like this, but from what I do see, it seems as thin obsessed as the one I live in the UK.

Most pop stars, movie, TV people are thin. Most mags for women and men are full of thin. And being high BMI isn't entirely about will power, there are genetic and economic factors. Part of the problem is the mistaken assumption that fat = lazy = slovenly = unhygenic etc. This tends to drown out the more reasonable message of fat = less healthy.

All this said I agree that calling someone fat is almost becoming like a new racism or similar. There is peer pressure not to use certain descriptions or labels. I don't think society's view of fat has changed, what has changed is that it is less and less acceptable to cause anyone any offence about anything.

Free speech and offence are in tension. Free speech is more important than never offending anyone in my view.

Something that hasn't changed in generations is that it is a loaded question between genders that has no correct male answer. I simply won't engage if someone asks "does my behind look big in this?".

IHateMeganFox · Accepted Answer

Hell no it doesn't. I've been called fat my whole life and made fun of for it in high school mostly. People treat you bad when you're overweight, take it from someone who knows. I know it's my fault for eating and not getting any physical activity but there are reasons why people do this like comfort eating from depression (which is what I did.) I'm not saying it's right but I also don't like how thin people make it seem like overweight and obese people are disgusting pigs especially when they call us "fatties" Like overweight and obese people aren't human beings. I know to diet and exercise but it takes hard work and people shouldn't act like being overweight is OK, because it's not. But they also shouldn't treat overweight/obese people like sh*t either.

Btw my grandpa was morbidly obese. 5'9 and over 400 pounds.. yeah. But he lost it all within the last 2 years and now he is 180 even 175. He says people treat him SO much better now that he is thin. The only downside of his weight loss is I noticed he's really superficial now and always tell me how I need to lose weight and even sat me down and listed off reasons why certain girls are better looking than me and says because I'm overweight and so on and so forth.

So the answer to your question is no, society does not glamorize obesity or being overweight. Quite the opposite actually.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

No, I don't think society necessarily glamorizes obesity. I think that society as a whole, at least in America, is focused on instant gratification. We all have and glamorize the "I want it now, now, now" attitude. And that is why there's a billion dollar market in fast food chains, in Kripsy Kreme donuts, etc. Things that are readily available and inexpensive produced for a mass market. But on the same token, there's also a huge market for diet and weight loss plans (Jenny Craig, dieting pills, weight loss reality shows like SocietysBomb mentioned). It's all big business at the end of the day.

I don't think that obesity is looked upon as being a good thing. Anyone who is obese for reasons other than strictly medical conditions are just weak and lazy. Anyone who thinks they're curvy and are a size 12+ are just kidding themselves. Fat is fat.

Katelyn1214 · Accepted Answer

I'm giving you my honest opinion and then telling you my size...i agree that they do try to glamorized obesity. Throughout my childhood and teenage years I thought I was obese, but when I asked my doctor he told me I was not obese at all...he told me given the women in my family who he had treated as well...i was one of the skinniest. NOW, I know what I'm about to say next, I will be lashed at and told it's bull, but I am BIG boned...i have had countless guy friends who have said I was overweight, well I finally got fed up with it and told one of them to punch my stomach. I'm solid and they could feel bone. The realized that Big Boned people are real and that it's not some bullsh*t. I remeber I was told I was obese, when I have the figure of Christina Hendricks ( link )

So For those who think big boned is bullsh*t, think again.

archer86 · Answer

Society has a real problem with obesity. We avoid the large people in the open because it tends to make the healthy folks have no standards in choosing friends. You can't find famous actors, models, celebrities, singers and so on who are obese, even athletes who are a bit too large for their sport are shunned. Any time you see an obese person join a health club, the general mood from the other members is that such a person is only fooling themselves and should just commit seppuku(ritualistic japanese suicide). A large person normally couldn't get a date unless they pay for it in the sex industry, particularly for men.

There is an old saying, "Better Dead Than Fat". This is not just a mild insult, it's true.

Why are people fat anyway? There are lots of reasons too deep for me to explain here. The good news is that there is a cure for obesity, only a question of how society reacts to those who try to fix the problem. Last year, I weighed in over 200 pounds! OUCH! Now I am 25 pounds lighter but still need to work on it. Some of the women I met recently wouldn't even give me the time of day because of my six-pack. Now they seem interested. I say #$%!@ YOU! Should have liked me for my personality in the first place.

American society has no care for obesity and never will.

heavenonearth · Answer

I don't think society glamorizes obesity, but it's become more forgiving of it. I read a study a while back saying even being a little overweight isn't good for you, if the weight's from fat. So if being overweight is bad for you, obesity is even worse. It's a medical condition that people should not be okay with, because of all of the health issues you described, and more. I think most people recognize this and don't desire it in themselves or others. Being overweight on the other hand is what most people misinterpret and sometimes wrongly encourage. For instance, a lot of people think it's perfectly fine to be at a size 14.

What society does glamorize is loving yourself. That seems to be universally encouraged, and rightfully so I think. However, too many people think that loving themselves means making no changes to yourself, even if it means improving your health and longevity. What people ignore in the "love yourself" message is that it includes making changes to yourself in order to act on that love, because abusing your body is not love. Laziness also comes into play here, along with the over abundance of food available that's extremely unhealthy. It's fast, easy, and cheap, so people take advantage of that without thinking about the long-term consequences of eating at MacDonald's everyday.

anonymousgirl4 · Answer

I used to be obese and it seemed like then(this was only 2 1/2 years ago) people didn't like fat people and that society didn't have any intrest in changing for fat people.

Now that I'm thin and I worked HARD for it, I think there should be no excuse for people who are fat and want people to feel sorry for them, or that the rest of the world is "too skinny and they just don't understand", but now it seems like things ARE changing and people are starting to accept it.

This is a big problem to me because kids are growing up thinking it's normal to be chubby. It's a sore subject, especially for those people who are "HAPPY BEING FAT".

Brando · Answer

I wouldn't say glamorized, but rather accepted or with a fragile attitude. Like the question you mentioned, it's not the "right" thing to do to be honest with someone about being obese so they tip-toe around the subject. I feel that our society definitely glamorizes and influences skinny people, but we still don't want to make the larger people feel bad.

It also could be a counter in of itself against the skinny and fit image that is pushed onto people. By giving curvy, chubby, thick, etc. people a defense and a flag of self-acceptance to fly, then it very well could be the "Self Esteem Revolution".

Who knows.

Lamnad · Answer

I think that it has started to to off set how badly it was handled in earlier years. when it was condemned as someone who was lazy in general even those who had a medical problem, it has started to feel guilty and instead of making something to be fixed with care is making it exceptional to be unhealthy. another problem is that it is hard to make an acruit assumption of what is and is not overweight just from word. I for one am broad shoulders and heavy muscle but am only 5'10 and 230lb. the BMI chart says I should be BELLOW 180, but my doctor says I SHOULD OVER 190.

Tamikaze · Answer

We do not glamorize it, we are far too accepting of it. We eat horribly and I know we do because I know how we ate in the 70's and I can tell you the portions were about half the size you see now, people ate at home most of the time, not fast food or Starbuck's coffee drinks with 500 calories in them and we never thought muffin tops were acceptable. You rarely saw an obese person. Most of us were stick thin as teenagers and it was not due to any unhealthy diets or an obsession with being thin.

So, yes, unfortunately a lot of people now don't know that you can actually be slim easily and that it isn't out of our control to be more fit and healthy.

The-Romanian · Answer

It's only glamorized by those of obesity, and people with obesity in their family. And that became normal to them to see fat ass people.

It's all too common to see overweight people pretty much anywhere you go. The grocery store, restaurants, commuting, and especially fast food places.

People seem to take the embrace of how they are, call it an "illness," and try to capitalize on it. When really, they're just f***ing lazy and don't want to strain their "frail" bodies.

Most people aren't stupid. But, no one has the balls to call anyone out on it because then they're seen as "insensitive," and such. And then you get all the fatty's starting out with anger toward you. But, they quickly turn it into tears so they can get f***ing petty pity. I laugh at that.

I also found it funny when fat asses claim to have an "average" body. I seriously lmao when I see/hear that, too.

Jonny_ · Answer

In England there is a high level of obesity, but here in Ireland most people from my generation are thin and heavily into exercise. Personally I exercise a lot myself. People do take it too lightly though, I'm sick of people who are overweight saying they can't help it, I eat like a horse, professional athletes eat even more than I would and none of us are fat... why? because we burn the calories off and put that energy towards good things. I hate diets and anorexia as well... people will blame anything but themselves for their own issues. I know where I am weak and I sometimes know I could do better, or that it'll be something I can't change. Other people just need to realize these things too.

mike5150 · Answer

Its because we made it to easy to be fat now days. We got Mcdonalds, Burger Kings, etc. on every block. Just driving down my street to college I pass 2 Mcdonals, 2 Wendys, a BK, a Jack in the box and an Arbys. The ride is about 2 and half miles and you pass that many fast food places. Not to mention technology doesn't help with getting people up and exercising when you can sit on your ass and order stuff online so you don't have to go out. And stealing a line from George Carlin "Americans are fat and happy because there to prosperous for there own good. Why go out and have a social life when you can own a cell phone and sit on your ass at home and talk to them while the phone makes you pancakes and rubs your balls for you."

TheGoodTheBadTheHOT · Answer

My opinion is that it's not society that incourages or even glamourises obesity, it's those who are obese themselves that encourage it. Society just doesn't discourage it.

This is partially to do with the increasing obsession over political correctness - do everything humanly possible to avoid offending anyone - which I think is bullsh*t and rife with double standards.

One example of society not discouraging obesity (and I am outraged by it) is that for many airliners, you have a baggage weight restriction... But the weight of the passenger is rarely taken into account. For instance; I'm allowed the same 20kg luggage as the Goliath that's twice my weight, breathing down my neck behind me in the queue.

Although, there is a silver lining, give it 50 years and all these cholesterol saturated fatties will have eaten their last chicken wing - natural selection at it's best.

Anonymous · Answer

no, I don't think its glamorized, I think its just becoming more acceptable...theres more sympathy...more pity.

people bully others for being a different race, for being obese, for being gay, etc. so to downplay that, we are now taught to love ourselves the way we are...(regardless of if we are fat or not).

skinny, and average weight hourglass types are way more glamorized in the media. and like societysbomb mentioned, there are plenty of shows that encourage people to get to that ideal body type.

Anonymous · Answer

For the most part, I agree with Enchanted... so I won't reiterate what she has said.

I feel society has definitely changed its outlook on what is an acceptable weight. I am naturally thin and lanky, and have a high metabolism, but my BMI is in the healthy/average range. However, I get A LOT of crap from people about me being "anorexic", or "too skinny", or how "I should eat more". These comments reflect how society's view has changed; I am at a healthy weight but it is not as readily accepted as past generations. (Now, it almost seems like it is considered normal to be overweight rather than be at a healthy weight). This is a terrible view, and illustrates how brainwashed and lazy America has/is becoming.

sunmonster · Answer

I think that a lot of shows care catered to "fat chicks" to make them feel better about themselves and allowing them to know it is OK to be heavy. Considering the USA is becoming pretty chunky, I think that we are definitely glamorizing it- I mean with shows like BIG SEXY.

oxidizer235 · Answer

this society glamorizes perfection... it HATES obesity... hell, it frowns upon any guy who ain't 6'2" 195 lbs, or a girl who ain't 5'5" 110 lbs... perfection isn't realistic... people come in all shapes and sizes. Just because the media favors a cookie-cutter image and tries to push that, that won't make anyone strive to achieve that...

SweetHeart09 · Answer

I don't think its being glamorized I think its being shown in way where I'm really not sure how to put this into the right words lol but its showing that you don't have to hate yourself because your are over weight, so shows like the biggest loser, dance your ass off, and other things like that are being created to show regular everyday people over come something that others  like them aren't cofident or driven to do...so I guess its like inspiration

thelaziestKitty · Answer

People have just taken the whole "be happy with who you are" message and used it as an excuse for being F-A-T as hell and complacent about it to boot. Curvy means having boobs, a waist and a butt, not being scarily overweight. I get that it's great to motivate yourself and kick low self esteem, but using euphemisms to disguise your extreme unhealthiness is not on. If you're fat, you're fat. Do something about it.

Belleza · Answer

not really but monique is self conscious of herself so she believes she's curvy. Plus come on we got all these fat food places - and they don't taste amazing - it sucks! There is chubby unhealthy and there is skinny unhealthy and most people believe themselves to be healthy based on how they look!

ihatework · Answer

it seems like society glamorizes damn near everything. fatness is a byproduct of a lazy culture. the denial of said fatness is people being delusional.

SocietysBomb · Answer

I don't think so, because you have shows like "the biggest loser", "i use to be fat", " you are what you eat" and countless others that promote weight loss.

Anonymous · Answer

not everyone wants to be what you think is pretty... some people like being a size 16 and would never want to change.  so some is confedient in there self who are you to say they shouldn't be and should loose weight? beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Killfest400 · Answer

I don't think society glamorizes it, but rather protects it because that's what's politically incorrect.  Other than comedians and bumbling dads, the media doesn't promote fatties at all.  We're just not allowed to be mean to them for it.

snackeyg · Answer

No but it glamorizes sh*tty food and drinks. I'm fat and I'm not gonna just blame sh*tty food. It's the cause of it, but it's also my fault for eating it and not exercising.

irykiryk · Answer

No, in fact it hates it. But people are such hypocrites and procrastinators that in the end they don't really care.

Anonymous · Answer

It's because people don't care and want to do whatever. If someone wants to be fat or date fat people, who really cares. It really sounds like you are almost offended by fat people than not caring. If you don't give a sh*t why even ask the question?

sweet_18 · Answer

I don't think "glamorize" is the right word. But I do believe that our society does condone obesity just because it's such a widespread epidemic

secondbestkiller · Answer

LOL, no. Society, as a whole, hates obesity.

Anonymous · Answer

down with the chubby chasers! :)

BoobMan · Answer

Glamorize?  No.  Make excuses for?  Maybe.

bunny420 · Answer

Not really.

Does Society Glamorize Obesity?

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