The Stigma of Obesity

Check out this article from the New York Times

http://s.nyt.com/u/25q

In it, the author discusses the stigma that many obese people face in our society.

I actually have to disagree. Since two-thirds of the population is now overweight or obese, those at a more appropriate weight are in the minority.

I call it “fat acceptance. Research even shows that the more overweight friends and family members you have, the more your risk of being overweight increases. Why? Because the added weight is then more accepted.

If it was up to me, we would go on a “One Pound At A Time” program, and work, as a school, company, city or state, to lose one pound at a time. This, of course, is just for people who truly need to lose the weight.

If you emphasize one pound at a time, then almost everyone wins, since we can all lose one pound. After one, go for two and before you know it, watch obesity disappear, for the most part, from the environment.

Being overweight IS a major issue. I don’t like the headlines that you can be “Fat But Fit.” It’s really not true. Too much weight on the body is a stress, and a big one at that.

So read the article and let me know your thoughts.

Jim