Fat shaming is cruel, destructive and ineffective. But the other end of the spectrum can be equally damaging.
There is a movement in our society to “accept people for who they are,” regardless of body type and body weight. While this hides behind an excellent virtue of charity, fat acceptance is not a healthy attitude. It is never okay to celebrate excessive weight.
Obesity is dangerous. Ignoring that danger is a bad idea, and applauding the body of an excessively overweight person is irresponsible. Obese people die earlier, have higher incidence of chronic disease, and the list goes on and on.
Obesity is increasingly common, but it can’t be allowed to become normalized. Those who should be seeking help are not because of society’s acceptance – and this societal acceptance is in itself a fatal disease.
Accountability
Studies show that many overweight people think their weight is normal. Even morbidly obese people often just consider themselves overweight, when in fact their condition is a serious one.
The first step in accountability is to understand where you are at. Learn about what it means to be obese. Preferably, have your weight assessed by a medical professional. Medical weight loss is the safest, most effective course to take for obese people.
Body Type Versus Obesity
There are many people who are obese according to their body mass index, who are actually healthy. People come in all shapes and sizes, and some people are simply bigger than others. That is reality.
TV and movies, of course, don’t show these realities. Modern media often promotes unrealistic beauty standards for body type and figure. For this reason, we support those trying to change these standards. But we will never say it is okay to be excessively obese.
Why Shoot For a Healthier Weight?
Truly, it’s important to find contentment in your life with who you are. Likewise, it’s important to identify areas in which you can improve your overall wellness. Improvement is fulfilling! Here are some benefits of losing 10% of your body weight if you’re overweight:
- Increased energy levels.
- Improved sleep quality.
- Improved blood pressure control.
- Positive psychological impact of self-accomplishment.