Weighing in on Obesity...

I think that If and WHEN the person dicides to change, only then can it begin to happen! With or without help - the person has to WANT it!

Losing weight isn't easy. I'm trying to lose weight myself! It's a hard thing to do - but I have set my mind to it and it's working!

I've lost 20 pounds and have went from a size 16 to a size 12! I've been unhappy with my weight for a few years, but it wasn't going to lose itself! I made a choice to LOSe the weight and make better choices! It's all about choices!

I don't think they should be made fun of. you b ring up a good point about it being a diease. good for you bridget

Obesity, can cause heart disease and other health problems. But people shouldn't make fun of obese people. It's just not right.

I don't think they should be made fun of or taunted because of weight! Afterall, we are ALL people and we all have feelings and meaning!

I have known two people, both immediate family members, who were morbidly obese. In both cases, I think genetics had a lot to play in it. One decided to go through gastric bypass, which is by no means an "easy out." He has lost 250 pounds and has kept it off. The change in his life is unbelievable.

People are very judgemental of overweight people. It's really the only class of people that it's still cool to discriminate against...

It's cool? Not to me it isn't!

I don't see anything funny about it.

I certainly don't think anyone should make fun of, or laugh at an obese person. As for your question-I hadn't really thought about the answer until you asked. I'm going to be honest here-and I may get blasted for it. I do think that sometimes, not always people who are overweight are "to blame" if we have to call it that. There are certainly medical conditions that can play a role, as well as medications and to some extent genetics. But, in many cases, if people are honest...you gain weight when you eat too much and move too little. I have never been obese, but I gained 20 pounds over a 3 year period of time. I could make all sorts of excuses, I was stressed-I was unhappy-I was scared to death for my child-I moved-my husband had just had cancer...but really I was cooking rich foods and curling up on the couch too much. Last August I decided that I wasn't happy with how I felt or looked. It was hard to get the weight off, I had to eat much less...and certainly food that was boring. I think there are many factors to obesity-the most important being the portion size and fat content of the foods we eat.

Not claiming to be an "expert" on the subject, but I think in most cases, obesity is not a disease. Note I said most cases. I realize there are certain circumstances that contribute to a person gaining too much weight, but in lots of cases, it's simply overeating or eating the wrong kinds of foods and lack of exercise. I used to weigh 425 pounds not too long ago...and I was the one who decided it was time to do something about it finally. I devised my own weight loss plan and dropped 275 pounds, which I call my "twin". I now flucuate between 175 and 180 pounds and don't allow myself to get any heavier. Just as sat around doing nothing but stuffing my face with food before, now I mostly eat once a day, even if it is at the wrong time...later in the evening. If a person can let themselves go and gain an excessive amount of weight, they can also lose it. They have to have the willpower and motivation to do it. A lot can't simply due to laziness. Like I said, I'm not an expert on the matter, but I think I know about the topic than those who remain obese without even trying.

Excellent article. It is sad how people discriminate against others for things like obesity and so much more. Thank you for sharing.