Insight: America's hatred of fat hurts obesity fight

 

 Andrew Mekhail

While the epidemic of obesity still rages on, the stigmatization of obesity has drawbacks beyond the pain it inflicts on its targets, since it may be the nation's last, accepted form of prejudice. The stigmatization is that obese people are lazy and lacking in discipline and since stigmas are likely to stick on people with such a condition, it will be difficult to get support for policies that change the environment and that will be much easier than trying to change individuals, a psychologist states. This form of imputation starts in preschool where children as young as 3 tell scientists that overweight people are mean, stupid, ugly, and have few friends. It carries on in adulthood. Americans say obese people are self-indulgent, lazy, and unable to control their appetites. This than translates into poorer job prospects for the obese compared to their slim peers.

http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/nm/insight-america-s-hatred-of-fat-hurts-obesity-fight