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subject: Fat Discrimination – Does Weight Actually Matter? [print this page]


Fat Discrimination Does Weight Actually Matter?

How do you feel when you see anorexic models walking down the ramp in their fashionable attires that can fit no normal woman? Don't you wonder how they survive? More and more young girls are starving themselves to attain that size zero figure, as they think others find it appealing. People are more concerned about look than ever and they believe that being overweight can put them behind others in the race of life. The notion of fat discrimination has basically come into being because of television programs and shows which associate beauty with essentially superficial aspects such as size, weight and height. Besides, in professional world, there are several instances where a person is denied a job because of his weight. No wonder the new generation has imbibed a menacing lifestyle which gives rise to malnutrition and associated illnesses.

Fat discrimination is one of the last remnants of acceptable prejudice and the discrimination stretches much beyond undesired stares, jokes and filthy remarks. It has immense negative impacts on the physical and emotional health of the victim. Overweight people feel miserable not only because of health threats but also because of the fat discrimination and negative attitude of people towards them. No amount of education and upbringing can make people change their negative thoughts about their obese counterparts; it needs basic human qualities and compassion to understand the pain and emotional turbulence that a fellow human has to go through in his day-to-day life. Careless people, who pass remark about an overweight person, tend to forget the fundamental fact obesity is a health condition, it is not a crime. Hence, fat discrimination is extremely unethical.

Television and other media often portray fat characters for comic relief, instead of treating them equally as their thinner counterparts. The term fat' is no more a mere adjective, it is a state of mind and body that some people have to go through. Another point to be noted while speaking about fat discrimination is the gender bias in this case. Fat men are better accepted in society than fat women. Conclusive reports suggest that approximately 24% of working women claim fat discrimination to be one of the factors hindering their professional growth. Studies suggest that one out of three children who are overweight are bullied in school and some teachers often view fat students as lazy, laidback and untidy. These statistics are alarming enough to realize the state of fat discrimination in today's society.

While the majority of the world is raising voice against racism and sexism, is fat discrimination the new "ism" seeking attention in the biased generation? An overweight person is prone to illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure, and added to all these, he grows negative mental and emotional conditions due to the world's view towards him. The solution is indeed very simple. The society needs to be more sensible and careful in its behavior towards overweight individuals. Fat discrimination should be shunned by one and all. People must encourage the obese population to lose weight in a healthy and safe way, thus fostering balance and equality in society.




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