Radio 2 in the Park 2024

[KingTutsWWH]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8314125.stm

Hmm. Interesting article.

It mentions prejudice towards peoples' religion, race and age too. Is obesity comparable to these?

Any thoughts?

[Rik]

No, when a doctor talks to a patient about their weight, it's for the benefit of their health and not the doctor being fat-ist.

[Mike]

If obesity is comparable to race, age, and religion in terms of discrimination, then we might as well add people who wear glasses, ginger haired people, clever people, less-intelligent people, and all the other school playground taunts to that list too. Hell, why not just all shut ourselves away in isolation and never speak or see anyone ever again.

*sigh*

[Tom.]

And its pretty much your fault if your fat.

[Lucinda]

I don't get why people have a problem with ginger-haired people. I don't think it's right that people should be able to shout at me in the street because of my hair colour.

I don't think it's right at all for people to be beaten up or taunted by complete strangers for any reason. Forcing businesses to provide special seats for fat people wouldn't exactly stop that kind of thing though, it would just make the obese people even more conspicuous and single them out for abuse. Doctors should be able to talk to people about aspects of their health without being accused of victimising them. Obesity isn't necessarily a conscious choice but it isn't always that easy to lose the weight.

[Tom.]

I take the mick out of my brother... but he likes it and asks to be called ginge by his mates... I think traditionally it has its roots in anti-semitism and connections with the devil...

[Nik B.]

I can't remember the last time I was subjected to a weight related insult. And I'm not exactly thin am I?

[Guest]

Government and parliament would first have to define what a fat person is and at what weight a person becomes 'fat'.

Personally I can't see such a law coming into force.

[Tom.]

It would be any bmi above 25.1

Also i heard that schools would have to find students bmi's and write a letter home giving options such as training or a six week crash course to stop them becoming obese. Which is the most ridiculous policy ever as people can have other underlying problems such a diabetes which invariably leads to weight gain.

[Timsk]

Just as any 'substance abuse' (whether it be nicotine, alcohol or food in this case) causes an extra burden on the NHS; it is surely the absolute right and duty of a doctor to be able to recommend a reduction in consumption before (or as part of) treatment. Stopping a doctor from being able to talk about someone's weight is akin to barring them from asking about their smoking or drinking habits... Ridiculous.

The simple fact is that singling anyone out for their slightly different appearance is just plain wrong, and a change in law isn't the right way to go about improving matters. Much better that people be taught how to respect others, regardless of their physical attributes...

[Emma]

And its pretty much your fault if your fat.

Not in all cases. Some people are large purely down to illnesses, etc. For example, if some people are wheelchair bound and can't get out to exercise, that's not their fault. They're too large to exercise, but they can't exercise because they're too large.

I think if people are "fat" due to an illness or disability, then yes, it could be deemed as a "hate crime". In that case I would put it as being similar to racism, in the way that that's just the way the person is.

On the other hand, if people are only fat just because they do no exercise whatsoever, eat all of the junk food they can lay their hands on and care nothing about their well being, and they happen to be subjected to this "hate crime", I think that pretty much is their fault. I'm not saying they deserve the abuse, but it's in fairly different circumstances to my first paragraph.

[Nik B.]

And its pretty much your fault if your fat.

I take offence to that. I'm large, and working my arse off (literally) to shift my excess weight. Its there in the first place because I had a crappy childhood, was overfed when I was young, and had a dodgy metabolism. So no. Not my fault. You can't generalise like that, it makes you look ignorant.

[Lucinda]

I'd agree that it's not fair to assume it's someone's fault if they're overweight. It's not right to tiptoe around the issue so as not to offend people, it should be possible to make the observation and discuss someone's weight in a constructive manner without breaching their human rights. There is a significant group of people who are overweight/obese but are in denial and do not recognise the problem, and these people could benefit from medical advice and help before their weight problem gets any worse. I do not agree that anyone deserves abuse though.

My mother and sister are both rather overweight. Both of them are too ill to exercise it off so are somewhat resigned/depressed and comfort eat. I think there are some complex physical and psychological issues related to weight which can make it very difficult for obese people to simply eat less and exercise more. The earlier intervention happens however, the easier they're likely to find it to change their lifestyle and get to a healthier weight.

[Claren]

Hi,

This article is really throwing light on overweight people and issues faced by them.

Good article indeed and a sort of guidance for its readers.

[TheEpicPlum]

Even if you don't get insulted, the meaningless jokes hurt. And nobody even thinks you're hurting because you're not 'hugely obese'. I don't think it's possible to get rid of it, but if someone wants to try, I think they should.

I kinda understand. You can either accept it, fight it, or go mental. Sometimes I opt for the latter.

[DarkAngelMJH]

Holy thread resurrection!

[DC]

never mind that, we need to pick some out from 2005 to really push the boat out.

[DarkAngelMJH]

Get digging DC!

[Viv]

go mental. Sometimes I opt for the latter.

:hahaha: LOL