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today the glitterbomber is... |
2002-04-04 this article made me very angry. the writer has made some very irresponsible statements. apparently, she believes that SUVs cause obesity! anyway, read the article, then read my response to her below. i would encourage all of you to send this woman an email as i have just done. Ms. Ager: First, comparing cigarette smokers to individuals who overeat is not valid. Cigarette smoking is an act which directly affects others in the form of toxic secondhand smoke. As a result, we have enacted policies that protect those who do not wish to be exposed to secondhand smoke. Overeating has no such effects. It is an act that directly affects the individual who is consuming the food. Second, you equate those who overeat with those that are overweight. Again, this is not a valid assumption. A number of overweight individuals do not choose to be so. There are those that are genetically predisposed to have a higher baseline weight. These people have healthy diets and exercise, yet they are still considered overweight by many standards. (I remind you that many who are considered to be "normal," often have unhealthy dietary habits and get little exercise.) Other individuals are overweight because of antipsychotic and antidepressive medications. These pharmaceuticals are associated with weight gain, and the patient often has to make a choice of whether to have active depressive or psychotic symptoms or to gain weight. Rightly so, weight gain often takes a back burner in this situation. Would you condemn those who are struggling with a mental illness and must focus their energy on becoming well instead of conforming to societal weight standards? I do agree that obesity is becoming a very big problem in the United States. Our food culture is such that we value convenience and price over health. Fast foods and prepackaged foods, however, are not enabling obesity. They are products of capitalism, and they are marketed to everyone, not merely those who are overweight. Making healthier foods more appealing and less expensive is one way to help change our culture, but I honestly do not think that it will happen anytime in the near future. Convenience food marketers have too firm a grasp on society. Furthermore, we are a culture that loves its automobiles. We are not pedestrian-friendly or bike-friendly. Again, because we value convenience, we have little opportunity to exercise. To change this aspect would also require very big changes in the way that we live, work, and shop, and I do not feel that those are realistic changes for many individuals or marketers. Public health and medical professionals are currently developing strategies to help cope with the problem of obesity in the United States, but it is a long and sometimes difficult process that is not easily accomplished. These professionals do know, however, that one method that does not work is shame, as you suggest. Shaming smokers has not worked. Smoking rates have declined somewhat, but that is mainly due to increased awareness of the dangers of smoking and increased cigarette prices. Shaming overweight individuals will not work, either. This shame is omnipresent in society and has been for a very long time. Has it worked thus far? I think you know the answer to that. I find it interesting that you focus on women's fashion in your article. For years, there have been "big and tall" men's clothing stores. Why, then, are you disturbed at designers creating larger sizes for women? Perhaps you are buying into the societal belief that all women should be thin. This same belief, I remind you, is extremely dangerous and has led countless women and girls down the dangerous and often deadly road of eating disorders. Woman, as men, come in all shapes and sizes. This is called "diversity." From health professionals to journalists, we all need to be responsible and to encourage acceptance and tolerance of all individuals. Shaming and hating are destructive. I would encourage you to do your research and to rethink the reasoning behind your opinion. Bigger movie theater seats and SUVs do not encourage obesity. Neither do larger clothing sizes and more fashion options for larger women. Having strict, unhealthy beauty standards results in women with low self-esteem and eating disorders. Please be less condescending and more informed the next time that you state an opinion. As a writer, you reach many people, and you have the opportunity to inform people and to help change the way that they think. Be more responsible and sensitive the next time. (i used the letters MPH after my name when i signed it. yeah, i know i'm not a real MPH quite yet, but i thought it would be more impressive.) |
