I Am Concerned About The Obesity Epidemic
Actually, it's not an "epidemic" exactly, just all too common due to the ubiquitous availability of cheap sugary foods, processed food, high fructose corn syrup, and drive thru junk foods.
For some of us, getting away from this food is a daily struggle. We can do it, but just barely. Turning down unhealthy food in various social situations becomes one more facet of the struggle.
Here is what I'd like to ask those who enjoy offering inappropriate food to struggling obese people and coaxing them to eat it:
If you had a friend who had just completed 6 months at the Betty Ford clinic and who was overcoming alcohol addiction, would you insist on offering him or her a drink because "just one isn't going to hurt you," or "because you can quit drinking tomorrow" and "besides, we're all having a drink so don't make us feel guilty"?
If your friend had just spent the last few months kicking a pack a day cigarette habit, would you insist on offering him or her a cigarette because, "you know you really want one" or because, "you can smoke just one, come on, here, I'll light one for you. Now I'm not taking no for an answer...:
Then why do people insist on offering obese people rich food and sugary deserts after the person trying to lose weight has politely, quietly, firmly and repeatedly declined?
Here are the types of reasons typically thrown at protesting fat people:
"Aunt Martha baked it from her special family recipe. She'll be soooo hurt if you don't have some!"
"It's George's birthday, and [i]everyone's[/i] having some cake. I'll just put it on your plate, just a small slice, no arguments, I can't hear you..."
"We're Italian [or German, or Hungarian, or whatever] so everyone eats when they come to our house! No diets allowed!"
"You can diet tomorrow! One piece of cake won't hurt you!"
"Come on, we're all having a piece, so don't make us feel guilty!"
"Your doctors says you can't eat it? Well, I don't see your doctor here, do you? Does anyone see her doctor here? Well, that settles it!"
My theory is that people don't subvert recovering alcoholics, or offer cigarettes to quiting ex-smokers because they know it is a fight for the person's health and life, but fighting obesity is seen as a bid for vanity and higher social status and therefore a legitimate social battleground.
For some of us, getting away from this food is a daily struggle. We can do it, but just barely. Turning down unhealthy food in various social situations becomes one more facet of the struggle.
Here is what I'd like to ask those who enjoy offering inappropriate food to struggling obese people and coaxing them to eat it:
If you had a friend who had just completed 6 months at the Betty Ford clinic and who was overcoming alcohol addiction, would you insist on offering him or her a drink because "just one isn't going to hurt you," or "because you can quit drinking tomorrow" and "besides, we're all having a drink so don't make us feel guilty"?
If your friend had just spent the last few months kicking a pack a day cigarette habit, would you insist on offering him or her a cigarette because, "you know you really want one" or because, "you can smoke just one, come on, here, I'll light one for you. Now I'm not taking no for an answer...:
Then why do people insist on offering obese people rich food and sugary deserts after the person trying to lose weight has politely, quietly, firmly and repeatedly declined?
Here are the types of reasons typically thrown at protesting fat people:
"Aunt Martha baked it from her special family recipe. She'll be soooo hurt if you don't have some!"
"It's George's birthday, and [i]everyone's[/i] having some cake. I'll just put it on your plate, just a small slice, no arguments, I can't hear you..."
"We're Italian [or German, or Hungarian, or whatever] so everyone eats when they come to our house! No diets allowed!"
"You can diet tomorrow! One piece of cake won't hurt you!"
"Come on, we're all having a piece, so don't make us feel guilty!"
"Your doctors says you can't eat it? Well, I don't see your doctor here, do you? Does anyone see her doctor here? Well, that settles it!"
My theory is that people don't subvert recovering alcoholics, or offer cigarettes to quiting ex-smokers because they know it is a fight for the person's health and life, but fighting obesity is seen as a bid for vanity and higher social status and therefore a legitimate social battleground.
70-79, F
