N
noname223
Angelic
- Aug 18, 2020
- 4,996
The Harmful Effects of Fat Shaming
Some believe that "fat shaming" helps motivate overweight people to change their lifestyles and lose weight. Nothing could be further from the truth.
www.healthline.com
"Some believe that making overweight people feel ashamed of their weight or eating habits may motivate them to get healthier.
However, scientific evidence confirms that nothing could be further from the truth.
Instead of motivating people, fat shaming makes them feel terrible about themselves, causing them to eat more and gain more weight.
Research shows that much of the discussion on obesity on social media involves fat shaming, which often turns into harassment and cyberbullying — especially against women.
However, stigma and discrimination against overweight people cause major psychological harm and worsen the problem."
- "Depression. People who are discriminated against due to weight are at a higher risk of depression and other mental issues.
- Eating disorders. Fat shaming is linked to an increased risk of eating disorders, such as binge eating.
- Reduced self-esteem. Fat shaming is linked to reduced self-esteem.
- Others. By causing stress, weight gain, increased cortisol level, and mental problems, weight discrimination may raise your risk of various chronic diseases.
I can only agree to all the points in this article. When I was a child and teenager I was very obese. My mom was pretty stupid and gave me way too much/ and too unhealthy things to eat. In school you are the outcast if you are obese. Children and teenagers can be so hurtful, evil and unfair. It was very traumatizing for me. The irony was when the bullying stopped I wanted to lose weight. Maybe it was kind of a contrarian thought. Though maybe it was just a sign of my first manic epsiode which gave me the energy to lose weight. I am now quite thin. I am kind of atypical anorexic. My therapist does not acknowledge that but it is obvious for me. Other doctors gave me the diagnosis on suspicion (not sure how to translate it) way earlier.
To be honest I am extremely obsessed what other people think of me. Two things are very important my low weight and my intelligence. Both were reasons for my nightmarish daily bullying. Maybe it is kind of hypocritical that I am here and try to explain that it is okay to have a BMI (body-mass-index) which does not fit the average. I think it is important that the individiual feels comfortable with it. For me the trauma is too much. I will obsessed by my weight till I die. And in the article they said there are no official statistics that link fat-shaming and suicide. I think when I am forced to ctb in the future they can count me in this statistic. It contributed to my hellish mental state. I have a lot of OCD concerning my weight.
There are so many stupid stereotypes about overweight people. They are seen as lazy, stupid and they are often the butt of the joke. There are a lot of online communities where they are the target. There is a lot of harrassig happening by some people who only have the guts to do something like that when they can hide behind a pseudonym. This harrassing and bullying can destroy lives. I can say this with a lot of experience. I think for women the shaming might be even worse. But this might be a controversial stance. When I read about overweight politicians there is more mockery on obese women. Though I also know overweight male politicians who get attacked.
It is really unfair. Many overweight people are not even responsible for their weight. I think many people in this forum can confirm that. Many (mental health) medication can increase your weight. Moreover eating food out of desperation is for some depressed people a way to cope.
No matter how much or low the weight it is not justified to make fun of the person. If it is too extreme it can be unhealthy and it is also good to address that. But if we are honest most people on the internet don't have this intention. People who mock other people for their weight are disgusting assholes who get their self-esteem by hurting vulnerable people. I despise such people. They are scum.
What is your stance on it?