Using āObesity Causes Tax-Payers Millionsā is Just an Excuse For Your Fat-Phobia
It would be a lie to claim that obesity is not a real problem. Ā The rate of obesity has more than doubled since 1980, and 13% of the worldās population are considered obese as of 2014. Ā There are many health problems that can be associated with obesity, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Ā Because of all of the medical problems that can arise from obesity, a lot of money goes into annual health costs for treating these problems. Ā Because of this, an unfortunately large number of people have used the fact that obesity ācauses tax-payers millionsā as a way to fat-shame and blame obesity on the people who are, in fact, obese.
Ā If someone is suffering from an illness, it is often considered rude to blame it on the victim. Most would consider it to be extremely rude and intrusive to blame a cancer patient for their suffering. Ā So when health problems arise from things like obesity, why are people so quick to blame the ones who have it, when itās so rare to do so with other illnesses? Ā Many people are ignorant to the fact that obesity can be caused by a lot of underlying problems with society, as well as genetic predispositions. Ā Instead of looking in to these issues, obese people are often branded with terms such as ālazyā. Ā This is, most often, not the case.
Ā Obesity and poverty have a really strong relationship. Ā Looking at obesity trends across income groups, BMI tends to be significantly higher for those in lower income groups than those in higher income groups. Ā It is the same for education; those with lower levels or a lack of education are more likely to have a significantly higher BMI than those with higher education levels. Ā Why? Ā Because those in lower income groups and with a lower level of education are less likely to have access to healthier food. Ā If you are living in poverty, it is a lot more difficult to go out and spend money on healthy foods that cost significantly more than most unhealthy foods. Ā We all know that McDonalds is cheaper than Subway. Choosing healthier foods is often a lower priority for those living in poverty when there are so many other things that need attention, such as educating your children, housing, clothes, and other crucial elements to living. Ā It often makes more sense to save money on food so that you can afford rent. Ā The cycle of poverty and the difficulty of escaping it does not make it any easier when it comes to where you want to spend your money.
Ā There have been a lot of research on genetic predispositions for obesity and obesity related illnesses. While most research has found that obesity is both caused by genetics AND behaviour, it is clear that some individuals are much more likely to become obese than others, and that avoiding obesity is much more difficult for some. Ā People can, however, become obese without any genetic predispositions.
Ā Ignoring the actual medical and economic facts about the causes of obesity, there is also good moral reasoning as to why shaming obesity is wrong. Ā Just because someone is obese, does not mean that they should not feel comfortable with themselves. Ā When you are blaming an obese person for causing the health system money, you are shaming their existence, and telling them that because of their size, they should not feel comfortable with who they are. Ā This is nothing other than fat-shaming. Ā Telling someone that they are a problem is never going to solve anything. You are not going to end obesity by telling obese people that they are a problem. Ā You are simply covering up your fat-phobia by trying to find a way to rationalize it, but instead youāre just showing off your ignorance. Ā Everybody deserves to feel beautiful and confident about themselves, and trying to take that away from someone is a terrible thing to do.
Ā Please, before you think that you are doing the world any good by tweeting, talking, or protesting against something, do your research. Ā Realize that there are causes and reasons behind why people suffer from things that they do. Ā Donāt be so quick to blame people for problems that are often out of their control. Ā And please, stop with the hate.
