I have received various different
versions of the same article from various friends and people I know
lately. Which one? The "Fat
shaming does not help people lose weight, study finds". I know that the intention of passing these
articles to me was good, but what has actually happened is that I swiftly
became irate.
After reading various
incarnations of the same kind of article, I confess that I am at the erupting
volcano stage so rather than vent my anger on an unsuspecting friend or
colleague, I will write here instead.
So, fat shaming does not help
people lose weight; no shit Sherlock! I
do not need a study to tell me that. I
also do not need a study to tell me that discrimination against fat people is a
real thing.
Is there actually anyone out there
that does not realise that fat people are discriminated against, victimised and
bullied? The Times have reported in a
recent article that " Fat-shaming is one of “the last socially acceptable forms of prejudice”, and should be viewed like racism and sexism" and I wholeheartedly
agree.
What was laughable was the amount
of articles that I read that clearly had no idea as to the extent of
fat-shaming that goes on. I read in this
article in the Guardian that "Research suggests even doctors can unwittingly
harbour negative attitudes and assumptions about fat people". Are you FUCKING KIDDING me? UNWITTINGLY?
Have you met any fat people who have spoken to
doctors?
I'm depressed and need counselling - lose weight and then you will be happy
I fell over and broke my toe - lose weight that will help
I strained my wrist - just lose weight it will feel
better
I see purple people - diet and I am sure that they will go
away
If you are fat, every ailment that you may have is
put down to how much you weigh.
I went to the doctors to ask about
counselling. I knew what my issues were
which was nothing to do with the fact that I was fat. I was told that if I lost weight, I would be
happier and therefore not need counselling.
I was not aware that a medical degree also enables
you to read minds and see what people are thinking. I also was not aware that a medical degree
gets you a free bonus psychology degree either.
How dare you to presume to think that I am unhappy
because I am fat?
How about instead of "Fat Shaming does not
help people lose weight" the title was simply "Don't fat
shame". Concise, easy to remember,
to the point. Another way would be to
quote one of my favourite shows The Last Leg.
DON'T
BE A DICK!
Yes! I love this post. I have some Dr horror stories too. Ugh. x
ReplyDeleteA-fucking-men! And here I was thinking that bullying a person miraculously causes them to drop six dress sizes over night! Idiots! I agree that fat-shaming seems to be the last acceptable form of discrimination, but I can't see society clamping down on fat-shamers. Ever. I've had my weight used as an excuse by doctors and people in my day to day life, too. Surely it should be seen as negligence when doctors ignore a person's ailments or health concerns, and just immediately blame it on their weight? It's sad that so many people are so narrow-minded. xx
ReplyDeleteI hate how this whole thing has been framed around how effective it is on fat people losing weight, rather than it's shitty behaviour to bully and abuse ANYONE. As if ones quality of life can ONLY be good if one achieves thinness, that being able to live our lives in dignity and respect is nothing.
ReplyDeleteWho gives a toss whether it helps people lose weight or not - it's ETHICALLY WRONG to bully and abuse anyone for any reason.
THIS!!!! OMG THIS! I love this, exactly what I think everyone time I see one of those 'articles'. Oh really?! That's a fact?! NO fucking way?!
ReplyDelete