issues about body image

In my opinion, the problems caused by being overweight and obesity outweigh the above. Does this TBIO program that promotes inner beauty for children also promote healthy eating habits and regular exercise?

 

being obese and body image are not equal.

obese is as unhealthy as smoking.

 

I think that sometimes people stay obese because the standard set by society is so high that they can never reach it. If a woman is 200 pounds she may not try really hard to get down to 160 because she thinks she should weight 110 and that is not going to happen. Maybe her right weight is really more like 140.

 

all the fast food does not help and kids never play outside, they play those damn games.

 

I totally and completely agree. Both anorexia and bulimia carry high risks of heart attacks, among other things.

Huh?

 

Comparing negative body image to obesity is really apples and oranges. NBI is a psychological issue. Obesity is a physiological issue. A person could be at a physically ideal weight, and still have a negative image of himself because of skewed values and perceptions taught from childhood. At the same time, a person could be 100+ pounds overweight with a positive self image for the same reasons.

One doesn't really fix the other automatically. They're separate issues that need to be dealt with separately.

 

Sure, they are different conditions, but they are actually very easy to compare. Obesity kills 300,000 Americans a year, negative body image doesn't. There's also plenty of research that suggests that negative body image is caused by obesity, which is obvious. Reducing obesity won't necessaily eliminate every instance of low self esteem, but it will certainly help, and it's a lot more feaseable than censoring the media or completely changing our society to make it more understanding.

Lots of stating the obvious in this thread. It's easy to blame the media or society. We like to use them as old familiar scapegoats. It's a lot easier to point the finger at abstract entities because it keeps us from having to take personal responsibility, and it keeps us from having to formulate any kind of common sensical solution. Which I guess is why I haven't seen any mention of any practical solutions in this thread. For example, it's a lot easier for a parent to say, "My daughter is a fatass with low self esteem because of the beautiful thin models the media constantly exposes her to," than it is to say, "My daughter is a fatass with low self esteem because I'm shit for a parent, let her sit around watching tv all day eating ho-hos, and I don't provide a balanced diet or encourage daily physical activity."

 

It was a gentle :stickpokeysmilie: just with regard to your comments on those who are obese. Often, reformed smokers are the most critical of smokers - as you appear to be to those who are heavy. I wasn't being hateful - it was just an observation .

 

Ah! Light dawns on my darkened noggin.

You know, I've been aware of that kind of thing, and honestly I've tried diligently to keep it under control. I am sorry if I've offended you or anyone else by my replies in this thread. I meant no ill will or disrespect.

At the same time, I will not stand by and watch people I care about embrace a lie to stay in a state that's hurting them -- especially when the truth will not only help them physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

Either way, I don't "look down" at people who are heavy. I see myself in them, remembering how I didn't have any hope of being healthy or even mildly attractive for the rest of my life. I don't devalue them, I'm sad for them, because I know there's something very attainable that's SO MUCH BETTER available to them, if they choose to want it for themselves.

I spent most of 30+ years believing I was trapped -- big boned, big genes, whatever. It was "just the way I am". But I was able to lose 130 lbs. in a year without surgery, and all it took was a decision -- "I want to be healthy". The rest followed from that decision.

 

that is something to be very proud of and i'm sure not easy.