Not-so-random Poll: Is it ok to be fat?

 By now you've probably all heard about the news anchor who fired back against a bully who sent her an email telling her she was fat and setting a bad example to youth who watch her show.

If not, you can read the story here: http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-anchor-addresses-criti c-weight,0,7432511.story

One thing that struck me about this woman's speech (which was awesome, btw) is that she struck a tone of both defiance and apologeticness (is that even a word?), saying on one hand, "Do you think I don't know I'm fat?" alongside "I'm ok with who I am."

This got me to thinking. She probably did that because public perception prevents her from 100% saying "Look, I am who I am so screw you!" (for more reasons than one)

But is it truly ok to be fat?

I mean if you like your size, you move fairly ok and are willing to deal with whatever health consequences come along with being a larger size, is it ok to be satisfied with yourself if you are fat? Or is being overweight inherently something we are supposed to be dissatisfied about?

For my part I know PLENTY of plus-sized chicks who are fine with their size. I don't begrudge them that. Hell, up to a certain weight I liked ME a whole lot as a bigger person.

But these days society seems to say that's not ok. It's not ok to like yourself as you are when you are fat. (And yes, I keep using the "f" word on purpose. I embrace the word. It's an adjective. Nothing more, nothing less. Words only have power when we give them power.)

So what say you? Is it ok to be fat? And is it ok to BE ok with being fat?

I think its ok to be fat, if you are ok with being that way. I personally did not like myself being fat. So now I'm taking action to change that. If it is affecting your health then I would say its not ok to be fat. You should care enough about yourself to do what it takes to get your health issues under control. My husband was fine with me being fat & is fine with being fat himself. I was so miserable & my health was failing so I had to make a change. Does being fat make me any less of a person, no. I'm still me no matter what size I am. I do notice a lot of things now that I would not of noticed when I was fat. Peoples eating habits & portions & I can see the miserable side of obese people that I would of just overlooked before because I myself was miserable & fat. I applaud anyone who is comfortable with being who they are even if it is as an obese person.

 Thanks for your thoughts!

I wonder, though, if we hold obesity to a different standard. I mean trim people do plenty of things that put their health at risk that are socially acceptable. Not just drinking and whatnot. And yes, we frown upon things that are considered risky but not quite as much as we seem to frown on obesity. 

Makes me wonder.

For me personally I was tired of being fat.  Let's face it the world is not made for fat people.  To name a few:  seats on a plane, rides at amusement parks, the turnstiles, booths at restaurants, and many more.  Did you ever go to a store and see 2 different prices one for regular sizes and extra money for 1X to 3X but they are the same exact blouse or pants?  I don't begrudge anyone that is truly happy with their size but being a formally fat person, I was never truly happy with myself.  Don't get me wrong I was happy with my life such as my kids, marriage and friends but not with what I had to deal with while I was fat.         debbie

This is such a complex issue it's hard to say much other than it depends on each person's perceptions. I know there are some (including individuals, medical professionals, and the entire insurance industry) who think that it's unhealthy to be fat, that being fat by definition means you are unhealthy (I dont think this is always true), and some even think that obesity is a public national problem that has to be dealt with in the same manner as drug addiction because the unhealthy people whether they be smokers, drug addicts, or fat people are a drain on society and result in lost productivity.

I think that is true in some cases but not others and I don't think it is the job of government or society indivdually or collectively to discriminate against people because they are fat, to shame them, to chrage them more for insurance, etc. etc.

That being sad, while I think it is OK for an individual to be fat either by deliberate choice or by cir****tance such as genetics, I chose to have weight loss surgery after deciding I hated what I saw in the mirror, hated that I didn't fit in my clothes, hated that I could hardly move without feeling like I was  having a heart attack, and wanted to improve my self esteem by being thinner and feeling better.

I can't say my decision is the right one for everyone, or that anyone who is fat is unhealthy. If they are OK with it, then I am OK with it.

Very thoughtful response.

I struggle with this as I raise one daughter who is "thick" and another who is outright "overweight." I think they are beautiful and I hope they think of themselves that way. Nonetheless I teach them that just like brushing your teeth or taking your vitamins, you move your body and you eat good food.

But I hate that society assumes my children don't because they are big. I'm 5 years post-op and I feed them what I feed me. If it isn't good enough for me why would I feed it to them? So they do eat healthfully, my youngest plays soccer. My oldest loves to dance. But looking at them people might make a snap judgment. And it kills me to think we live in a society that might not LET them be ok with who they are and how God made them.

 I have the same issue.  My middle daughter is thick maybe a little overweight.  My oldest is slim maybe underweight.  They eat the same food.  I don't buy unhealthy food.  My daughter that is overweight is active in sports.  It is the way her body is made.  At this point she has a very positive self image.  We have talked about the girls at school that won't eat because they want to stay tiny.  She thinks that is "stupid" to use her words.    I worry about when other kids start teasing her about how they think her body should look.  

Thanks, Nik. I agree with you and believe that every child should feel accepted and validated as they are regardless of weight, gender, sexual orientation, etc. I was so angry and protective when my daughter came home crying that someone at school had called her fat. Like you, I have always tried to feed her with healthy delicious foods and encourage her to move around and for a while pre-puberty she was a little thick but then she thinned out. It's just part of who she is and was and it really angers me to hear when people are being judged or belittled for their appearance or weight. Being active and eating well help fight obesity, but obviously it's not that simple and clearcut or everyone would be thin and never gain weight. It's hard enough for adults to feel rejected for being fat but my heart breaks when it happens to a child.

You sound like a great mom who encourages and accepts her children for who they are! That is so awesome and empowering.

Even if being fat is unhealthy (which I don't believe is always true, and anyway, many skinny people are also unhealthy), are we obligated to be healthy?  Why should I have to be healthy?  Why should society get to tell me what is and is not OK for my body?

And if we believe we are obligated to be healthy (which I don't believe is true), what about people that are sick or disabled despite doing all the "right" things?  Most people don't choose to be unhealthy.  Some choose not to practice certain healthy habits, yes.  But most people don't choose to be unhealthy.

 YES!!!

Thank you for pointing that out. We are only responsible to and for ourselves.