Talk:Fat acceptance movement/Archive 1

Title of this article

• I think this title could be improved...to something like "Obesity acceptance movement". The current title sounds slightly ambiguous. --RabidMonkeysEatGrass 22:33, 17 February 2006 (UTC)
  • It depends on what it is most commonly called in the movement itself, I'd say. Of course finding that out would require some research. Likewise, with the use of the term obesity. The movement itself may not view obesity in the same context as being fat. I don't know, but I'd suggest research before making changes. --Lendorien 07:28, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
    • ...well...yes, but right now fat could be confused as an adjective. --RabidMonkeysEatGrass 20:47, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
      • But it isn't called the "obesity acceptance movement". It is called the fat acceptance movement. It is named as it is for a combination of reasons: people in the movement don't like the pejorative term "obesity." It is also a form of "taking back the word" to be neutral, rather than negative.
      • Fat IS an adjective. MarkRose 05:44, 25 March 2006 (UTC)

Moonvine 14:01, 15 March 2006 (UTC)

Criticism

Is there no criticism of this movement worthy of mention at all? I would imagine that at the very least that physicians in general would not be terribly supportive of this movement. I'm not a physician, but it seems a little irresponsible to tell people that they can be healthy no matter what size they are (be it very thin or very fat). Significant health risks accompany being fat - physicians don't just make this up.http://medrants.com/index.php/archives/date/2003/09/29/ There is usually a criticisms section on the pages on most other movements. Why not this one? Rhesusman 22:35, 6 March 2006 (UTC)

• Criticism towards other movements are generally about specific events and/or individuals therein, not towards the movement itself. Does the Civil Rights Movement contain criticism about the movement just existing? Part of what the fat acceptance movement is about is the recognition of pork barrel politics involved between media coverage of "obesity" and weight-loss drug manufacturers (such as Roche, manufacturer of Xenical, which had a core net income of 5.41639512 billion U.S. dollars in 2005 [1] and gives out this yearly award. Any internist can tell you it is not merely fats who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or high blood sugar. These things are determined by our genes, and by how we live. Being fat does not naturally equate anyone with these things. And that's what "Healthy at any size," an oft-used slogan of this movement, means. Eating well and being active are important for everyone, and some people are larger than others. There is little that seems irresponsible about that to me. --Lpno90 20:22, 3 June 2006 (UTC)

Fats can be kind of greedy too. Like have you ever actually known a fat? They always want to have their way with EVERYTHING like us people owe them something for being thin. I know all of them aren't obviously like that but the ones ive seen are I guess that kind of constant indulgance lifestyle encourages a sort of greedy attitude and the bitterness towards some people doesnt help much. I know I can't cite my own opinion for this but I think it deserves to be mentioned.

• The above is the exact type of bias that the movement is going against, ironically. Vandalizing this entry to support that bias is uncalled for.

• • Its a criticism which is exactly what is supposed to be there. Mentioning that doctors don't think its healthy to be overweight isnt vandalsim every movement has some sort of criticism and it's not vandalism just because you don't like reading it. Nobody has pointed out in any case that the vast majority of people that allegedly just HAVE to be fat now wouldnt have been fat 100-200 years ago. Its all a matter of overindulgance in the modern diet which is a form of lack of self control. The people that think their genetically doomed to obesity would not be so overweight in the 19th century or earlier so they should take some responsibility for their actions. It seems like this fat acceptance movement is not only promoting an unhealthy lifestyle it is trying to justify it through what come down to playing the "fat" card, that is to believe that any criticism of them comes from a systemic anti-fat bias similar to racism. However, unlike racism which is based on abstract concepts of superiority, being against the acceptance of an unhealthy lifestyle as the norm in a country where it is fast becoming the norm is hardly an abstract concept. Clearly the proponents of this movement don't feel confident enough to take any criticism of it as they must on some level understand that this movement is basically to spare their feelings. Instead of for instance working on the problem in a constructive manner.

• Acutally, they ARE working on this in a constructive manner. Lots of people are heavier now because of DIETING to try to fit in with this culture's ultra obsession with being skinny; 100-200 years ago, this obsession did not exist. No one is trying to play a 'fat' card, people just want to live thier lives without daily insults, taunts, and things like this page being vandalised. People need to realise that being fat does not automatically equal an unhealthy lifestyle. Plenty of thin people lead unhealthy lifestyles.

• • • The criticisms you bring up are already in the entry for Obesity, no? (That's the only point in your biased paragraph worth discussing.)

Some changes

• Changed link title from famous "overweight" people to famous "fat or large-bodied" people, as "overweight" is deemed perjorative within the fat acceptance movement. Removed links to "Overeaters" sites. The conflation of over-eating with being fat is stereotyping and offensive, and quite simply unfounded. The fat acceptance movement has absolutely nothing to do with overeating, if only at the very least to fight such myths. Added Charlotte Cooper to visible list & link to charlottecooper.net. --Lpno90 04:09, 3 June 2006 (UTC)

Just capitalised some words.

Hey, I've gotten into trouble editing without posting so I just changed some stuff for better wording. Let me know if anyone thinks I did a poor job, I always welcome the chance to learn better writing!

"Fat acceptance covers several fronts but generally can be described as attempting to change societal, internal, and medical attitudes about fats, despite heavy criticism." Intentional?

• Note that "fats" is a derogatory term that was added by a vandal. Also, "heavy" criticism might have been added by the same person.