Does fat-shaming help obese people?

[Joeshamo]

I hear a lot of people say "I shame fat people for being fat because it helps them. It helps them get motivated to lose weight & take care of their health.", but from what I've seen the person that is being fat-shamed (while they're trying to lose weight) just feels really shitty about themselves, gets depressed, & just gives up on their weight lose journey. Or they just do it because they don't want to be made fun of anymore not because they want to get healthy & strong. So does fat shaming actually help anyone?

[GaGirls]

In general it doesn't. Most people have the quitting mind. Or victim mind. I think @qwert1234 said it best. The person would have to be mentally strong and wise enough to flip it into motivation and people struggling with their weight don't usually think that way. They usually are drowning in insecurities, negative self talk, eating to calm the pain, and on top of all of that they are fighting a habit which requires patience and consistency. I have never been fat but from trying to change other habits I know what negative emotions and mindset can do to your progress. It makes you want to not even try. Not because you don't want to try but the pain just hurts and you seek comfort like a victim. You have to find a way to flip the negative and benefit from it.

@Tyrael is also right though. You cannot fix a problem if you won't admit it is a problem. Treating problems like they are not problems will not fix them. I don't think anyone should tell another about their weight; it is the job of the person to own up and say to themselves... "I am fat and I need to change" It has to be the person or maybe someone who use to be like them, that really really admire and respect and wanna be more like.

The general answer is no @joeshamo

[SweetDumplings]

No it doesn't we must be respectful to everyone I'm sure if you were obese you wouldn't like someone doing that to you because you would already feel horrible about yourself no need to make it worse

[Joeshamo]

I agree it’s just like call a woman the names that you already know about. It just makes the problem worst.

[SweetDumplings]

Yes so let's all be respectful

[Tyrael]

I'm sure it helps some people, but certainly not all. Some people need a little negative energy coming their way to encourage them to make changes.

The people saying "you're perfect just the way you are, if that's what you want", that is nonsense and it isn't doing anyone any favours. It's not helping the obese person get healthy, and it's not helping our healthcare system which is already reeling from all the heart disease and other obesity related conditions.

Some people need to be told that they are fat and that it's harmful to them. There's a fine line between informing and bullying in this instance but we shouldn't pander in this instance.

[Joeshamo]

I agree with some of what you said. But I mean don’t think saying things like “you need to spend more time lifting weights & less time lifting a fork.”, is really helping anyone. It just doesn’t help, but if its something like “I care about you because your weight affects everyone not just you or your family but the government & tax payers too because you’re not taking care of yourself. And it’s taking away from people that need disability. Your issue preventable & you need to take care of your health. when you’re disabled & your body is destroyed who do you think pays your disability.” Is what we should say. I think the saying “my body, my choice” is stupid it’s your body your choice until everyone’s paying your emergency room visits. I do think it’s selfish but if the person goes from 410 to 360, we shouldn’t say things like “oh, well you’re still fat”, we should let give him words of encouragement for doing his part rather be little him. At least he’s trying.

[exitseven]

No, they already know they are fat.

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO

[najekim]

Nope. Obese folks know they are overweight. The shaming more reflects the immaturity of the person doing the shaming than the than the target of the shamer's vileness. The spouter's ignorance also comes into play since they do not know if the weight is due to genetics or a medical condition.

[EnglishEuropean]

hmm, negative reinforcement eh? It could work for some people, assuming their weight is something they're capable of controlling. You never know until you try.

[Joeshamo]

I agree with some of what you said. But I mean don’t think saying things like “you need to spend more time lifting weights & less time lifting a fork.”, is really helping anyone. It just doesn’t help, but if its something like “I care about you because your weight affects everyone not just you or your family but the government & tax payers too because you’re not taking care of yourself. And it’s taking away from people that need disability. Your issue preventable & you need to take care of your health. when you’re disabled & your body is destroyed who do you think pays your disability.” Is what we should say. I think the saying “my body, my choice” is stupid it’s your body your choice until everyone’s paying your emergency room visits. I do think it’s selfish but if the person goes from 410 to 360, we shouldn’t say things like “oh, well you’re still fat”, we should let give him words of encouragement for doing his part rather be little him. At least he’s trying

[Little_Bumblebee]

No, it won't help. It will make the problem even worse.

People who shame bigger people does not do it to help, it's because they have fat phobia or are just horrible people to begin with - and lacks empathy.

[OlderAndWiser]

I certainly judge women on the basis of their physique but I don't express my opinions unless they ask. I see that as a probably harmful thing to do and unnecessary. A fat girl already knows that she is fat.

[TsAubreyKate]

Well that depends on what you would consider fat shaming because some people think suggesting a healthier diet and a less sedentary life style is fat shaming

[DarkCarousel]

I’m sure that very few people are motivated by being fat-shamed. For all the rest, I think it’s just more hurtful.

[Subarugirl]

Since when does shaming and putting anyone down help

[AmandaYVR]

No, shaming is not the same thing as constructive feedback.

[Lyndsielee666]

Why would shaming someone help…

[Joeshamo]

I'm trying to find that out myself.

[InferiorElegy]

No the only thing that can help them is them wanting help and to change, otherwise nothing will work and they blame everyone else for their problems and label things as fat shaming.

[qwert1234]

Real answer?
Some gets motivated, most gets offended.

[DelayedMist]

It will honestly make most depressed and insecure about themselves.

[Flower7]

No because they already know about the problem.

[joeldalton]

yes, it does help.

[Fuentes]

In some cases

[JesseJayNeak]

In a way, yes