The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Lee: Studies show fat shaming worsens obesity

The obesity epidemic is in desperate need of a solution, but that solution is not fat shaming.
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In the last 40 years, obesity rates have skyrocketed around the world. A new study conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration has concluded that since 1975, the number of obese children and adolescents has increased tenfold. Similarly, more than one-third of adults in America alone are classified as obese. With stativvstical evidence this alarming, it is abundantly clear that substantial action must be taken to increase healthy living worldwide. The process of finding a solution, however, should not include shaming those who fall under the category of obesity.

Fat shaming is a huge problem of its own. In an online survey conducted by Yahoo in 2015, it was found that 94 percent of teen females and 64 percent of teen males had experienced some form of body shaming. The logic behind fat shaming is that by degrading those who are overweight, they will be motivated to lose weight.

This fat-targeting form of bullying, however, has not been proven to be effective. After monitoring thousands of UK adults for four years, researchers at the University College London published a study in journal Obesity that proves that not only is fat shaming offensive and unnecessary, it is fully ineffective and further, counterproductive. Their research revealed that “5 percent of those subjected to fat shaming — or ‘weight discrimination’ — gained roughly 0.95kg, while those who were not subjected to it lost an average of 0.71 kg.”

RELATED: Point/counterpoint: Can body positivity go too far?

Aside from additional weight gain, body shaming has been linked with many other health conditions known to affect those with obesity.

“Numerous studies have shown that experiencing weight stigma increases stress hormones, blood pressure, inflammation and ultimately increases the risk of several diseases, including diabetes and heart disease,” Scott Kahan, the director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness in Washington said.

Fat shaming is an easy way out for many people; they provide excuses rather than offering a plausible solution towards ending obesity. By deeming people who are overweight to be lazy and unmotivated, the pressure on society to discover a way to cultivate a healthier society and to take action against the obesity crisis is relieved.

People considered to be obese, however, are not the only people affected by the obesity problem, and therefore, should not be the only people working toward a solution. In a study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2012, it was predicted that “the number of overweight people in the U.S. will grow to almost 42 percent of the country by 2030 and cost a whopping $550 billion in obesity-related health-care costs per year.” The obesity problem is everyone’s problem, and we need to find a solution; if not fat shaming, then what?

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