Weight Loss Information

Obesity Acceptance and Fat Acceptance: Different Labels; Same Dangerous Message


Obesity acceptance, also known as fat acceptance, has a simple, appealing message... It's also a potentially lethal one.

There's nothing wrong with being obese, argue advocates of this proudly pro-fat gospel. Led by the the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA), they accuse Western medicine of manufacturing the disease of obesity out of thin air (no pun intended!).

This "propaganda", says NAAFA, fuels discrimination and prejudice against people with obesity. This in turns produces millions of desperate customers for the peddlers of prescription weightloss pills and surgical solutions, like liposuction and gastric bypass.

It's easy to sympathise with obesity acceptance supporters, especially if you share some of their reservations about many mainstream obesity solutions.

But does that make them right when they say there are no medical problems associated with obesity? Are they right to encourage overweight people to embrace their condition with pride?

No. No. NO!

Sorry to shout, but I feel very strongly about this. The above message is not only wrong, it's downright dangerous. I believe it's already causing harm. If it grows more popular it threatens to bring misery, illness and even early death to many thousands of people who could otherwise have led longer, healthier lives.

In fact, it's crystal clear to anyone who has done even a little research that obesity is a global public health crisis. Each year, taxpayers in countries around the world cough up billions of dollars to treat obesity related ailments. Tragically, hundreds of thousands of people die.

These are unpleasant facts. I can understand if someone would rather put on a blindfold than stare them in the face. But I refuse to stand idly by while they encourage others to follow their short-sighted example. In so doing, they condemn them to ignorance. They cut them off from solutions that could enhance their quality of life, possibly even save it.

And I'm not talking about prescription diet pills or surgery. There are many less extreme solutions, many proven natural obesity cures. I'm also not saying we should aspire to look like models on the covers of Vogue or Men's Health.

There is a promised land that lies between the the wasteland of obesity and its ills, and the unscalable mountains of unrealistic beauty ideals.

It's a land where people live balanced, healthy lives, having achieved realistic, personalised weight loss goals. This land is attainable with some expenditure of time and effort. Nothing worthwhile comes without some sacrifice.

I urge those who hold out the beguiling, but deadly blindfold of obesity acceptance to think long and hard before they deny others even the choice of whether they want to set off on the road to this promised land.

Obesity acceptance is a controversial topic. Maybe you agree with my views. Or perhaps you strongly disagree. Either way, I'd love to hear your opinion.

Have your say by visiting http://www.obesitycures.com/obesity-acceptance.html

Alan Cooper is a journalist with 20 year's experience and the publisher of ObesityCures.com, a site with the ambitious aim of being a "one-stop-shop" for impartial information on obesity and weight loss solutions - including fad diets, prescription weightloss pills and natural weightloss aids.


MORE RESOURCES:

eFluxMedia

Weight Loss Surgery Helps Obese Women Have Healthier Babies
New York Times, United States - 19 hours ago
By RONI CARYN RABIN Women who become pregnant after weight-loss surgery have easier pregnancies and healthier babies than do obese women who become pregnant ...
Weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy Los Angeles Times
Weight-loss surgery helps with pregnancy: study Reuters
Go for pre-pregnancy weight loss surgery Times of India
MarketWatch - TheMedGuru
all 59 news articles


Examiner.com

Alli for weight loss, can it really be one of your diet allies?
Examiner.com - 57 minutes ago
by Carol Bardelli, Sports Nutrition Examiner If you're considering taking Alli for weight loss, you'll want to know if it's safe and effective. ...


Weight Loss
TheStorygroup.com, GA - 4 hours ago
Try Our Wide Selection of Weight Loss Programs, Diet Pills or Fat Burner Plans Now! Great weight loss! Worth seeing! Top Offers. Check The Site for weight ...


Weight Loss Surgery for Two
Ivanhoe, FL - 9 hours ago
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Undergoing bariatric weight loss surgery before becoming pregnant may be the healthiest decision for both mother and baby. ...


WWL

Adderall misused by many teens for weight loss
WWL, LA - 9 hours ago
This woman, in her 20's as well, we'll call "Jennie" was also prescribed Adderall for a lack of concentration but liked the weight loss side effect. ...


Bethalto woman in TV weight loss competition
Alton Telegraph, IL - 9 hours ago
She presently is up for elimination, based on the lowest percentage of weight loss. "People can vote to keep you in the competition," Cruz said. ...


Hospital holds free weight-loss seminar
Mooresville Tribune, VA - Nov 19, 2008
Lake Norman Regional Medical Center will hold a free educational seminar on surgical weight loss on Monday, Nov. 24 at 7 pm Dr. Ryan Heider, ...


Aljazeera.net

Boxing legend De la Hoya confident despite weight loss to face ...
AFP - Nov 17, 2008
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) — US boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya said Monday he has dropped pounds but no punching power ahead of his December 6 welterweight ...
It will be a KO, vows Roach Manila Bulletin
Roach: "Hey Oscar, The Weight Loss Don't Impress Me" BoxingScene.com
OSCAR: No KO Would Be "Disaster" The Sweet Science
15rounds.com - Doghouse Boxing
all 345 news articles


dBTechno

Weight-Loss Surgery Before Pregnancy Helps Mom, Baby
dBTechno, MA - Nov 19, 2008
Washington (dbTechno) - According to a new study, obese women who receive weight-loss surgery before getting pregnant are far more likely to have a healthy ...


Lunch Date Alternative Helps With Weight Loss
MyNC.com, NC - Nov 19, 2008
She started walking a few months into her weight loss. Now, she is walking or running an hour every day, counting her points spent on food and earned for ...

Weight-Loss - Google News

home | site map | Home Site
© 2006