Rebuttal to New York Times Piece: Is Obesity O.K.?

In response to Carol Weston’s supposition (Is Obesity O.K.?) that we should quit not talking about obesity, I must wonder where she got the idea that we’re not talking about it incessantly? I feel bombarded by messages from every quarter that say that I—an educated, accomplished professional, mother of four successful adult children, happily married for 27 years, and both healthy and fit—am “less than” because thin is not also one of my “accomplishments.”

The reality is that our thin-focused, dieting, fat-shaming culture does nobody any good.  Eating disorders are being triggered in ever-higher numbers in part due to our rigid, black and white health messages—eat clean! sugar is demonic! fat is evil!—and obesity is still on the rise. 

The obesity epidemic is due to a complex interplay of agricultural policy, urban design, educational policies, social welfare issues and myriad other factors. If you want to address these under the premise that improvements in these arenas are good for all of us--in the form of affordable nutrient-dense foods, fewer food deserts, more walk-able cities, physical education and nurses back in schools, decreased crime so neighborhoods are safe for outdoor play, etc. than please do so.

Addressing the obesity epidemic at the personal level is ineffective, misguided, mean-spirited and wholly fruitless and the evidence is clear on this. Judging the girls as you describe yourself doing in your piece may make you “feel” like you are helping others, but you’re not; you are hurting them and it’s not an act of concern, it’s an act perpetuating the myth that the size of your body makes you morally superior to them. It does not.

Jennifer Denise Ouellette

Comments

[Karen (formerly kcinnova)]

I get enough fat-shaming from people I know personally without getting it from a newspaper, and I am certainly well-aware that I am overweight. Heck, I've got picture proof! But shame doesn't help me become healthy and I doubt it helps most people -- or anyone.
When I read the Times article, I found myself nodding in agreement with half of the responses. (Did you read the comment from the 16yo who noted the economics of health?)
As for the rest of the comments in the Times article, there is most definitely some moral superiority rearing its ugly head, with judgmental words and attitudes being used as weapons against those people considered "less-than".

Complex interplay? YES! AMEN!

[gary rith]

Basically, people kinda need to worry about their own selves and stop pointing fingers at how others eat and live, really.

[Green Girl in Wisconsin]

I wish the focus could be on health in terms of people getting enough exercise (and this could include pedestrian friendly city planning, bike lanes, etc.) and eating enough fruits and vegetables instead of on weight. Seems to me that if folks focused on the first two, the rest would sort itself out.

[lanes]

AMEN!!!

[KSL]

This issue has hit me hard recently as I listened to my 12 year old (65 lbs) and 9 year old (60 lbs) talk about having 6 packs, and feeling bloated, and how their meal covered up their muscles. I've been retraining myself to not nag my older daughter to eat more and now I need figure out how to teach them that their strong capable bodies do not need reveal muscle structure!

[Minnesota Matron]

"Addressing the obesity epidemic at the personal level is ineffective, misguided, mean-spirited and wholly fruitless and the evidence is clear on this."

Should be the tag line on any conversation abotu this.