Weigh In - Encouraging Body Positivity or Promoting Poor Health?

https://youtu.be/igyzUTJwSJo

I've given this topic a lot of thoughtful consideration. My conclusion is based on my experience alone. I'm fat. I had knee replacement surgery. My other knee has to be done and I'm having terrible back pain. I also have MS. I believe that women who buy into body positivity that extends to clinical obesity are enabling each other to remain unhealthy, either now or in the future. Having said that, I do not judge women based on size. I do have great concern for those of us who face health (especially orthopedic) problems as we age.

HI do you think your need for knee replacement was partially due to family genetics (others required it as they age?)

For my height and weight I should have needed my knees done a decade ago, but at 70 I can only figure my long line of short, dense-bodied ancestors surviving on the Russian tundra gifted me something of value!

PS I shared a hospital room with a knee replacement patient, knees and hips have a tough and painful recovery. So I give you credit for submitting to it again. If the payoff was good the last time then I understand wanting to keep mobility!

Neither...I believe it's for the almighty DOLLAR...BUCKS...GREENBACKS...MULA

Body - it is what it is. Some people can't change their genes and can't afford WLS. Plus treatments after that, special foods, vitamins, minerals, etc.

The body positivity can last as long as they are still relatively young, and don't understand how the extra weight is affecting their health long term. Some are too big to fit into standard medical imaging equipment (i.e MRI). Their heart gets weaker, as it tries to pump the blood all over their bodies.

As they get older - a lot of them end up diabetics. And so on. Some can't get pregnant to start a family.

Being plump, or have curves, overweight, is one thing. But passing that line, getting dependent on others to take care of them - that's really tragic.

Small things like fitting in a restaurant, or movie theater, or theater, plane, etc etc.

Adding humiliation when they are told that they can get service because of their size (i.e massage therapy - some tables only can carry up to 300 lbs. But some can only allow up to 250, or 275 lbs.)

Let's not forget about chairs. I had to order stools for work. It took me a while to find some hydraulic type comfortable stools to be up to 350 lbs. Normally they only good to up to 250 or 275 lbs.

I am SO torn about this!! I grew up overweight and very ashamed. I love that they are trying to remove the stigma and promote acceptance, but the health concerns are just so overwhelming. I agree w/Hala, age has so much to do with health, especially when you are SMO.

No body should be shamed or mistreated for their weight. If it really is about health, then mental health should be a part of that.

Body positivity is awesome and sadly something that few women ever get to feel, regardless of their weight. We should be able to encourage body positivity AND promote health, they should not be mutually exclusive concepts.

I think of Whitney Thore, who now has a career as reality TVs body positive 380lb woman, "My big fat (something) life" with her "no body shame" message is great, yet over and over she completely betrays what she SAYS the moment one person is snarky to her. She bursts into tears, runs off a stage, sobs on a shoulder and generally bemoans all the mean people...and I wonder where is her maturity level?(she's 34-36) Stuck at 17 I think. I agree we should NOT let our size or body shape, facial appearance, our ethnic diversity (dark/light/ginger/nose shape/teeth/etc. keep us indoors for life. But I now think she only helps the teens with her message. If you call attention to yourself all the time you should be prepared to at least respond to a mean comment and SHOW you are actually positive.

Just spend 5 min in any FB group and see 'fat' comments; young males have no problem slamming anyone!

Recent study finds teaching teens the "negative' about fast food/junk food does better to change behavior. Not sure I LIKE the overall social message these boys have after (see link), but if it saves them from a lifetime of diabetes, and other health issues, discrimination, then good.

( Motivational speaker Tony Robbins teaches most of us will respond BETTER to a negative ('fear of loss'), not envisioning a positive (be rewarded 20 years from now.)

https://phys.org/news/2019-04-simple-inoculate-teens-junk-food.html

That television reality person is an idiot.

I suppose a slightly less judgmental response would be that she seems to be extraordinarily self-centered and immature.

Feeling positive about your body and having the desire to change it are not mutually exclusive.