NYT - Prejudice against obesity
Picked this up on the RNY forum re: prejudice against the obese.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/health/16essa.html?ref=health
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/health/16essa.html?ref=health
Lynn,
This article is so true!!! There were many jobs I was turned down from because of my weight. Even worse, school was torture especially HS and college. When I was with my friends, it didn't matter. When I was in the hallways or with my roommates in college it felt totally different! I think many of my insecurities are based on YEARS of teasing, stares, and prejudice against me just because I was obese.
I really feel for teenagers today. I was watching Ruby the other day where she was helping a plus size teenager go for PLUS TEEN USA!! I really felt her pain as she was going through the process, but it wound up being a very positive experience for her. She talked about how she never left her house, was home schooled because the other kids would torture her and it made her feel like she was in "prison". After the pageant, the girl decided that she was going to go back to school and not let the other kids get her down. Good for her!!!
People are mean, especially when it comes to weight. I used to get glared at whenever we would go out for a meal. I mean people would actually turn around to gaulk at me!! It made me so self conscious. Those moments were the reason why I decided to have WLS!! I am so glad I did. Now people stare at me because I am pretty.... :-) Beth
This article is so true!!! There were many jobs I was turned down from because of my weight. Even worse, school was torture especially HS and college. When I was with my friends, it didn't matter. When I was in the hallways or with my roommates in college it felt totally different! I think many of my insecurities are based on YEARS of teasing, stares, and prejudice against me just because I was obese.
I really feel for teenagers today. I was watching Ruby the other day where she was helping a plus size teenager go for PLUS TEEN USA!! I really felt her pain as she was going through the process, but it wound up being a very positive experience for her. She talked about how she never left her house, was home schooled because the other kids would torture her and it made her feel like she was in "prison". After the pageant, the girl decided that she was going to go back to school and not let the other kids get her down. Good for her!!!
People are mean, especially when it comes to weight. I used to get glared at whenever we would go out for a meal. I mean people would actually turn around to gaulk at me!! It made me so self conscious. Those moments were the reason why I decided to have WLS!! I am so glad I did. Now people stare at me because I am pretty.... :-) Beth
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Beth, what is amazing to me is that in this ever-so-PC world we live in, obese people remain a socially accepted target of cruelty and discrimination. We would NEVER read an article where a doctor said he would never hire a person because they were ___ (Fill in the blank with your choice of ethnicity, disability, or other background identifier).
I think, if anything, it's becoming MORE of an issue for the obese, not less. I anticipate the day when health care coverages may limit benefits for certain conditions tied directly to obesity, claiming that it is a "preventable" disorder, and that obese individuals will be labeled "noncompliant" patients. (There are already moves underway to add "noncompliance" as a diagnostic category.)
I think, if anything, it's becoming MORE of an issue for the obese, not less. I anticipate the day when health care coverages may limit benefits for certain conditions tied directly to obesity, claiming that it is a "preventable" disorder, and that obese individuals will be labeled "noncompliant" patients. (There are already moves underway to add "noncompliance" as a diagnostic category.)
I haven't read the article yet - but based on the responses I get the idea.
For YEARS I complained to my gyn and my primary about irregular periods etc. I was diagnosed with basically PCOS because I was "overweight". The answer was always the same "no need for testing, lose weight and your cycles will regulate" It wasn't until PATs at Barix that they found a thyroid disorder and lo and behold, my cycles are better now.
As far as the comments of "noncompliance" is concerned...I'm not sure how I feel (again based SOLEY on these responses here) how I feel about that. I can tell you I treat MANY patients who are noncompliant with their other diseases - high blood pressure, diabetes, chf - and it annoys me to no end that "all" these people have to do is take their meds and they don't. Obesity isn't quite that "easy" to be compliant as we all know...I'll have to read the article to get better insight.
For YEARS I complained to my gyn and my primary about irregular periods etc. I was diagnosed with basically PCOS because I was "overweight". The answer was always the same "no need for testing, lose weight and your cycles will regulate" It wasn't until PATs at Barix that they found a thyroid disorder and lo and behold, my cycles are better now.
As far as the comments of "noncompliance" is concerned...I'm not sure how I feel (again based SOLEY on these responses here) how I feel about that. I can tell you I treat MANY patients who are noncompliant with their other diseases - high blood pressure, diabetes, chf - and it annoys me to no end that "all" these people have to do is take their meds and they don't. Obesity isn't quite that "easy" to be compliant as we all know...I'll have to read the article to get better insight.
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
Agreed re: the noncompliance issue Pam. My friend is a dr. in the Allentown area (she's an internist, but now works for hospice). She had an issue with that as a diagnostic category for the very reason you said - and just think of all the mental health patients that are noncompliant! Or the addicts or alcoholics who are noncompliant! But when times are tight, it's interesting that this would all rear its head.
Anyway, I agree that obesity is a whole different category and one that gets very little empathy in our culture. I know that I struggled in my last job search, I believe due to my weight. I also have had times when my professional opinion was not heard, and I believe that my credibiity was negtively impacted by my physical appearance.
For women especially (and men too I guess, but I think more so for women), there is a point at which you may be smart, you may be talented, you may bring a lot to the table...but if you are fat, you are seen as fat and not much more. Fat = lazy, slob, incompetent, not in control. It's painful to spell it out like that, but the opinions are out there.
Anyway, I agree that obesity is a whole different category and one that gets very little empathy in our culture. I know that I struggled in my last job search, I believe due to my weight. I also have had times when my professional opinion was not heard, and I believe that my credibiity was negtively impacted by my physical appearance.
For women especially (and men too I guess, but I think more so for women), there is a point at which you may be smart, you may be talented, you may bring a lot to the table...but if you are fat, you are seen as fat and not much more. Fat = lazy, slob, incompetent, not in control. It's painful to spell it out like that, but the opinions are out there.
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