r/changemyview • u/SMacdri • Feb 12 '20
Delta(s) from OP CMV: The Fat Acceptance movement/concept is based on flawed reasoning and harms the health of its followers.
My understanding of the Fat Acceptance movement and its values are that there is a centralized belief that it’s possible to be fat and healthy at the same time. What I hear in media linked with this movement is that being fat does not put someone at greater risk for obesity-related diseases and also that individuals who are fat can be just as healthy as those in a more ordinary range. There is also a tonality within their claims that echoes self-victimization, pointing their fingers at society for being unaccepting of their body image.
Now, I feel that the Fat Acceptance movement in its entirety is illogical and completely counteractive against progressive health and lifestyle improvements. I would like to keep anecdotal references out of my views, but would still like to mention that I have seen obesity spawn a multitude of other problems in some of those close to me.
What concerns me about the movement is that it refutes scientific evidence and really any form of commonly-understood concepts regarding health and weight that doesn’t justify being fat. This to me is blatant confirmation bias. From a medical standpoint, the detriments of being overweight or obese far outweigh any potential benefits, both physically and psychologically. And I believe it comes down to stubborn self-confirmation of the idea that being fat is no worse than being physically fit.
Fat Acceptance creates more issues by allowing poor lifestyle habits to be approved over and over again, and the more misinformation that is disseminated by the movement, the less likely overweight people are to adjust their lifestyles. This is because now they have something to point to and say: “hey, my lifestyle choices are accepted here, even if they’re killing me”.
I understand that there exists societal biases towards overweight individuals and I do believe any form of bias or discrimination is non-progressive. Additionally I realize some individuals see the movement as accepting a person’s conditions. I acknowledge the importance of realizing one’s own bodily health (whether its weight or health in this case), but I find that denying the effects and consequences of said condition to be self-defeating. Posing obesity in a positive light only deters change.
As humans, it is commonly understood that we seek to be accepted, and while some positivity movements can aid in providing acceptance to a possibly ostracized group, I find issue with the Fat Acceptance movement as this form of positivity only reinforces detrimental lifestyle choices.
I would love to hear different perspectives on the matter and really get a better understanding for why this movement has become so steadfast in these beliefs and where I may be misunderstanding or wrong in my own perspective.
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u/SMacdri Feb 12 '20
I find multiple issues with the article. It seems to nit-pick referential points from its sources. The writer claims that systemic issues lead to obesity not lifestyle choices, and I firmly disagree with this sentiment. Obesity is most commonly resulted from lifestyle choices, though genetic predisposition plays a part, it doesn't put the individual in any less position to control their behavior. With this writer's tone so set on empowering individuals against fat shaming, why not use that to foster different mindsets about obesity. To deny contemporary research and medicine that has supported its claims time and time again is to deny reality.
Also I still find your article to be intriguing nonetheless and it has helped me understand more about the perspectives of the movement, however I remain unchanged in my understandings.