Fat people....huge burden on society?

My mother was obese for years. She just didn't sit on her butt and expect a check though. She ate healthy and exercised all the time. I learned a lot about nutrition from her, yet she was always heavy. The doctors couldn't figure things out, her stomach was really huge too. She had a lot of "woman" pains, and the docs just told her to take some midol. Well she finally complained enough and she found out she had uterine fibroids the size of grapefruit! Her uterus was the size of a woman who is 7 months pregnant. They also checked her thyroid, the doctor said if he had the same thryoid levels that she had, he would be laying bed all day. So after fixing the fibroids and her thryroid (whoah they rhyme lol), she's now a skinny woman. I think doctors need to research and not brush off complaints and problems like this. I'm sickened that she lived so long with these problems and wasn't taken seriously. On the other hand, I do know of a guy who ate McDonalds everyday and complained about how fat he is. The only exercise he'd get was walking to McDonalds, he'd break a sweat doing this. Seems like stupidity to me!

Most people have no control over their own metabolism....the same as the people that can't help being morons. Tom

Being over weight is a mental disease ?????? Who will be in the next group that YOU deem unsuitable ????? Some people are too tall.......something should be done about them !! Some people are too short......something should be done about them !! Some people are too smart.......something should be done about them !!

I dont agree with the way auxarcer has worded his argument here. There are plenty of medical conditions that cause obesity, and it must be frustrating to live with it. That being said, there are also plenty of overweight people who ARE lazy and don't do what they can about it. I'm related to them. They moan and groan about being fat, while eating mcdonald's 3 times a day, stuffing their faces with soda and desserts, even becoming DIABETIC and that doens't wake them up. SO YES there is a HUGE obesity problem in the US. and NO it is NOT ALL CAUSED BY LEGITIMATE MEDICAL REASONS! I don't think they should be discriminated against, but I also think people should take more responsibility for their health, and be PROACTIVE about leading a healthy life.

First of all, the way you address this subject is very rude. Secondly, you obviously are not an authority on this health issue. Like any other disease, obesity is not a sign of personal weakness. There are a lot of things that figure into a person being overweight. There are genetics, there are other diseases, (i.e.Thyroid conditions)there are medications that cause weight gain and there are also the mental health issues. Being overweight is a burben on society as much as a lot of other handicaps, diseases and disorders. The only difference is that it is very visible. Personally, I think that you should look at yourself and be honest about what you don't like about you that is causing you to lash out in such an aggressive way toward others. Never mind about what other people are dealing with, learn to love yourself first and then maybe you can have compassion toward others.

come on... don't you think that is a little harsh... To me that is like saying a smoker is a burden on society, a drinker, the dibetic, the handycap... Have some love... My childrens' grandmother is obese... I seem to relize that these people have a strong addiction to food... It must be some type of chemical embalance... She is a wonderful person. I have never met anyone as caring as her... If you find yourself in a wheelchair, let me ask you, are you a burden? Someone once said it's not what you can do for yourself it's what you can do for your country... What do you think that means... I think it means to care about everyone in it and to make things work... Who knows, maybe a fat person harvested the food yopu ate today.. They aren't all on SSI

omg! Are you serious?? YOu are lucky i cant say anything that is really on my mind right now...YOu have ni idea about the disease..and yes there are people that just eat,,and become obese..but it is a serious illness as well..if you would have done any homework on the topic..and noooo it DOES NOT COST MORE FUEL TO MOVE AN OBESE PERSON..who told u this? because its BS..and plumbing?? noooo...and quite franly how does this effect y ou?? its there healthcare..not yours,..and it doesnt go up because of obese people..omg seriously..here is some real information for you.. Genetics. Obesity tends to run in families. Some researchers believe that a gene passed down through family members may have some impact on how we regulate our body weight. Aging. As you get older, your body cannot burn energy as quickly, and you do not need as many calories to maintain your weight. This is why people who eat the same way and do the same activities as they did when they were 20 find that they gain weight at 40. Gender. Men burn more energy at rest than women do, so men need more calories to maintain their body weight. Women usually gain weight after menopause because their ability to burn energy decreases even more. Illness. Some illnesses can cause obesity. These include hormone problems such as an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), depression, and some rare diseases of the brain. Medicines. Steroids and some antidepressants may cause weight gain. Eating disorders. Binge eating and night-eating disorders account for as many as 10% to 20% of people who seek treatment for obesity. Medications. Medications associated with weight gain include certain antidepressants (medications used in treating depression), anti-convulsants (medications used in controlling seizures such as carbamazepine and valproate), diabetes medications (medications used in lowering blood sugar such as insulin, sulfonylureas and thiazolidinediones), certain hormones such as oral contraceptives and most corticosteroids such as Prednisone. Weight gain may also be seen with some high blood pressure medications and antihistamines. so next time before you judge anyone, and put a stereo type down..check into it..i found my information on ..texas med group and http://www.medicinenet.com/obesity_weight_loss/page2.htm

I can recognize an obese person just as well as recognize a jerk! But since the topic is obesity we will discuss that. I have to agree with some who have already responded you are quite rude. Obesity is by all means an epidemic, and most obese people are discriminated against, and made fun of. I once went to high school with a guy younger than me who said he hated fat people. Our spanish teacher was obese. I asked him why, he gave me no excuse. This young guy was no dummy, he was studying to foreign languages at the time, and grew up to be quite good looking, and I've always wondered why he would make that kind of statement. I am obese, and have a thyroid problem. I used to be very thin, and do long for those days back. I will be doing an exercise regime very soon, but make no mistake...I don't get a check from the government, and haven't heard of such a thing. I work two part time jobs, tutor my daughters, as well as play with them, and clean my house, (that includes duties that are too high for you to count I'm sure) Most obese people, know they are obese and really don't need someone like you or anyone else to point it out....They know there is a problem, as do their doctors. Some problems can be worked on..some can be fixed...others simply can not. So instead of carrying on about what is a burden on society, try and be a little proactive in your efforts. How about making friends with someone you consider a "burden", and help them tone up? Otherwise you can keep complaining and writing on mylot about how much a burden overweight people are...which of course...turns out to be quite boring and becomes a burden for us to read.

As other people have said, many people have health conditions that make it it impossible for them to lose weight. Also many have been on crazy, crash diets all their lives and are kind of "over that" phase of their life. Another problem is that is many gyms and excercise programs aren't equipped to deal with overweight and/or disabled people, who often mainly need to access these programs.

Wow, way to be closed minded. Not everyone can lose weight you know. I know people that dieted and exercised for years and only managed to lose a few pounds. Why is this? Because it's in their genes. People are just cut out to be fat and theres nothing that can be done about that. Sure, surgery can happen, but that's a nice way to start making people have eating disorders, because a lot of people in America have one of those. I'm guessing you'd rather someone you know be really teeny tiny than be a few extra pounds overweight. Stop thinking about other peoples problems and consider your own.

I DISAGREE WITH YOU!!! Sorry to tell you that you're so rude by saying that fat people are burden to the society. I have friends who are fat but they are never a burden to me or to our society. I mean they have high paying jobs and they are successful in their own fields. It doesn't mean that when you're fat, you become a nuisance or a burden. There are also thin people who are pain in the a**!!!!!! Helllllllooooo!!!!!! You don't judge people by their looks!!! Sorry if I'm getting too way emotional here. I just hate it when people do this; this is already discrimination!!!!! Instead of discriminating them, we should help them!!!

THE US people should pay attention to their diet. I just know that they like meat and chips very much ,which are high in carolie. That so-named juck foods spread over the world also contribute to the increasing number of the fat people . So they should learn from the eastern people ,eating more vegtables even become a vegetarian to make them healthy.

ok i accept that fat and obesity is the curse for a man but u will never say that the fat huys are the burden on society if ur think is like that then in uir eyes the people who r fighting with disease of AIDS they must be untouchable people and we must thow out of them from the society. so i must say that fat poeople is not the burden on the society but we must help them to tell that u must take care of ur health otherwise u will get the heart disease like. ok

The problem with this theory is that these problems are not only caused by "fat people". What about smokers? Smoking causes insurance and healthcare to SKYROCKET. And these people CHOOSE consciously to smoke. Don't get me wrong, obesity is a terrible thing. Obese people have a much higher risk of illness and disease (as is true for smokers), and some are so overly obese that precautions must be made for them, but it has been scientifically proven that obesity is not only the fault of over-eating. Face it, we live in a fast-paced, depressed world, and people don't have time to care for themselves. And look at what our food choices are. If you want a cheap&fast meal, you're pretty much doomed to the world of Fast Food: Very high in fat, very unhealthy, but also very appealing in taste, cost, and convenience. The government should really do something about that. Countries, such as France, who no longer use preservatives, have noticed a drop in obesity. Why can't we do the same? Also, when this lack of extra-curricular time starts at a a young age, our metabolisms do not properly develop. Many children are tied up with work and school by the age of 16, a time when taking care of the growing body is still crucial, but these children can hardly find the time to sleep. And while we're on the subject, lack of sleep has also been proven as a factor of obesity. Many obese people have genetic conditions that may cause irregular weight gain. Not to mention that everyone has a different body type, and not all bodies work the same OR as efficiently as others. These factors alone may cause exercise and/or diet to be ineffective. Also, from the time we are born, our eating habits are almost entirely dependent on our parents. Not to say that with some coaching, or just some strict discipline, that these habits cannot be changed, but you have to understand that not all people become obese by choice or by simply over-eating. With the massive number of causes and conditions that breed obesity, you can't just say that it is entirely the fault of that person, or that all obese people have caused their weight problems. True, perhaps the government shouldn't be obligated to pay these people money, but what do you expect, the government just let them die? Some of these people can't even move from their beds, let alone go out and work. To be honest, I pity many obese people. What kind of life could that be? It is logical to assume that many obese people die very early from health conditions, or even possibly from extreme depression that causes the person to become ill. What needs to be done is fixing the problems that are the fault of *certain people* (those that are obese, and those that may have caused it, such as parents or the government). Problems such as the use of preservatives in food, the amount of processed cr-p in fast food, and the teaching of eating habits. I don't mean to be rude or to offend, but I don't think you really know what you're talking about, and if you write back being completely immature and irrational by saying things like "Let them die!!![excessive use of exclamation points]!!", then I'll know that I was correct in my assumption.

Yeah, here's a thought.. Not all people who are obese have much contol over it. There are medical conditions, like a hypoactive Thyroid, as just one of many examples, that cause weight gain and a slower metabolism. Many of these conditions have to do with failure somewhere in the Endocrine system...Also, there are those who have become disabled for other reasons, and due to painful and debilitating inactivity -weight is gained that becomes almost impossible to lose through that debilitation. Also genes play a significant role. Some people will gain weight from just drinking a glass of skim milk..I know one personally who's son this happened to, and she and her son had to suffer the scrutiny of others when it wasn't anyone's fault. That child is now a teenager with emotional and psychological damage, low self-esteem, and is on more medications then food..Need i go on? I'm not excusing those who bring on their own demise -such as true 'gluttony' combined with laziness. But you cannot throw all obese people into that category. That is simply unfair and mean. It is easy to judge others when you havn't walked in their shoes..

I think stupids like you are more huge burden on earth who are mannerless and unsentimental!!! You cant blame anyone who is obese because we have no right to play with other's emotions and laugh on them .

I think long term welfare recipients are a far bigger burden on society than obese people. They eat tax dollars and social services at a much higher rate than obese people. They use health care at tax payers expense at a far higher rate. I don't think overweight people should get a check just for being overweight, usually there is other factors than just being "fat". I think you are right about one thing, they should have to join programs to try and not be overweight. Not because they might cause more fuel usage than a normal weighted person, but because of the long term health risks associated with being overweight. There is usually an emotional or mental issue assocaited with being severely overweight and if they got to the root of the problem they may be able to help themselves. By the way, I am considered obese. I do not get a check. I do not get free medical care. I do take steps to reduce my weight and get healthy. I work full-time, pay taxes and do not try and get something from the government because I am "fat". Personally, it sounds like you don't like the way they look and have come to conclusions about obese people based on personal bias.

I think you are right in what you're saying, obese people should definately seek help in loosing the weight and not use their weight as an excuse to not work, get money for sitting on their arses and getting even more obese! their benefit should get paid into a gym membership rather than into their hands to go and buy more food! It should be mandartory that they attend their fitness classes, and there is absolutely nothing wrong in overweight people working!! is it really too much trouble to sit behind a desk and answer a reception switchboard or work a till down the local superstore, it would hardly work up much of a seat for them to get breathless and feel uncomfortable now would it, the government really have got it all wrong again haven't they!!

I'm NOT a skinny person. Sure I am not huge, but I know I weigh a good 50 or more pounds over the weight I should! Its kinda in my blood. I've been bigger than I should be since I was 12. My grandmas side it has it. However, I dont sit around not doing anything. I would love a job. IF SOMEONE WOULD HIRE ME! I dont think its nice to say that fat people like me are a huge burden on society. I know I am not exactly viewed great to some people. Could it be why I am not getting a job? I hope not! But if they are people like you, who knows! I agree I dont eat super healthy, but I try to loose weight. As I get older (now 27) its not getting easier to loose weight. Do I want to? yes! Will I try? I am! tap dance is NOT easy and defently a work out, plus yoga twice a week, bike rides. Soon get back to my walks too. I have had a few good friends, who also werent skinny, fat I am sure in your terms. Well they are great people, WORKING hard, not sitting around. And getting married & having kids! So dont go being nasty before you step in someone elses shoes. You DONT know whats its like to not wear what others wear, not have many guys like you, think you are ugly all your life, and deal with it every single day! Okay?

its not burden ,its a disease.people must have to care of his health.