Why is ok to say, skinny and not fat?

[misty]

I think it is 'socially acceptable' to say 'skinny' but not 'fat', because people aspire to be skinny, no-one really aspires to be fat.

Now just because that is what society 'accepts' doesn't mean it isn't rude to say either. It is rude to comment on anothers weight regardless of if they are fat or skinny. On of the factors that lead me to gain weight was being teased as a child for being too skinny. Looking back at photos, I wasn't too skinny, just had a slight build. Now I don't have to worry about that, instead I get to worry about people commenting about how much 'bigger' I am and how I look good loosing weight, but how it is a 'shame about my belly' (lots of loose skin makes a buldge). People are idiots. As if I cann't see and judge my own flaws without their help.

[diannescruffy]

Another thing that would annoy me to no end was during my pregnancies as I carried small. When people would ask how many wks I was the look of shock on their faces. I got comments like "you know you should be eating for two" or "is there something wrong with your baby".

Regards,
Dianne

[Kazmar]

Another thing that would annoy me to no end was during my pregnancies as I carried small. When people would ask how many wks I was the look of shock on their faces. I got comments like "you know you should be eating for two" or "is there something wrong with your baby".

Regards,
Dianne

Omg people are really stupid!

I just dont like the tone. A friend told me "Gee you're so skinny, its discusting" ummmmmm, she's a size 8! She's hardly a big girl

My dad used to just tell me to tell people I have hollow legs

[ladybird11]

Maybe its the whole media thing where they always show skinny (sometimes anorexic) which gives some people the idea that skinny is acceptable, therefore calling someone skinny must be ok...right?

Wrong, I think. When I lost all my excess weight so many people told me I was too skinny etc. I too was eating healthily and exercising. I am just leading a healthy lifestyle. I'm in the 'normal' weight range.

I guess its considered taboo to call someone fat, just as in the past picking on smokers was not acceptable either. But times have changed, some people probably almost feel its their duty to tell someone to stop smoking (I am guilty since losing Mum to lung cancer) for health reasons. But still, calling someone fat, while absolutely tactless, doesn't really help the situation either.

Can someone remind me, do more people die of smoking or obesity each year? What 'category' costs tax payers more to remedy.

Sorry, I've probably gone waaay off topic and I'm just rambling now.

[Inanna]

I don't think it's off topic at all - that's how conversations evolve Leesa!

I don't know which but I do know both are unhealthy - JUST as being underweight is unhealthy. As you know I stacked on the weight whilst pregnant (& before) Immy due to the steroidal treatment needed to sustain a pregnancy for me. I have lost all of my weight now & I too get told I'm too skinny. I am smack bang in the healthy weight for my height.

I think political correctness has got a little out of control when heath care providers find it difficult to broach the weight issue on both ends... Also smoking as well. I too have strong anti smoking sentiments & find it appalling when people smoke in front of kids & others as it's just unhealthy & I don't feel it should be inflicted on others.

However, I have no qualms in saying so! That is my right as a dual occupant on planet Earth. Someone else's weight is their business. Whilst it does impact Iguess on the public purse it's not quite as "in your face" as smoking... (scuse the pun! )

[Kazmar]

I don't think it's off topic at all - that's how conversations evolve Leesa!

I don't know which but I do know both are unhealthy - JUST as being underweight is unhealthy. As you know I stacked on the weight whilst pregnant (& before) Immy due to the steroidal treatment needed to sustain a pregnancy for me. I have lost all of my weight now & I too get told I'm too skinny. I am smack bang in the healthy weight for my height.

I think political correctness has got a little out of control when heath care providers find it difficult to broach the weight issue on both ends... Also smoking as well. I too have strong anti smoking sentiments & find it appalling when people smoke in front of kids & others as it's just unhealthy & I don't feel it should be inflicted on others.

However, I have no qualms in saying so! That is my right as a dual occupant on planet Earth. Someone else's weight is their business. Whilst it does impact Iguess on the public purse it's not quite as "in your face" as smoking... (scuse the pun! )

Great point Smokeing can affect my children and I, somebodies weight, does not

[AnyDream]

Well actually people do comment - quite frequently- when they think people are fat. IMO, any commentary about people's bodies is in poor taste, but there are plenty of other people who feel no such compunction.

Misty - actually there are some instances where BMI is a crock of ****. My DH for example is measured every year, every year he fails and is referred for a muscle-fat ratio test...and every year they write him a special note indicating he has passed by virtue of the unusually large amount of muscle and the unusually low amount of fat he has. His body is quite literally denser than the next persons and hence he does not pass the BMI. The BMI is also mathematically out of whack for taller people (who are not just scaled up versions of smaller people, their frames are typically different):

For a given height, BMI is proportional to weight. However, for a given weight, BMI is inversely proportional to the square of the height. So, if all body dimensions double, and weight scales naturally with the cube of the height, then BMI doubles instead of remaining the same. This results in taller people having a reported BMI that is uncharacteristically high compared to their actual body fat levels.

The BMI was designed as a statistical tool for population studies and was never intended as a diagnostic tool for individuals. While BMI *may* indicate someone is over or underweight, it cannot be used alone as an accurate determinant of obesity or associated health risk factors.

[Livinthedream]

You know what, i find the whole weight issue to be the same as the BF issue (everyone has a medical reason LOL.)
In actual reality, there are very few people who are over weight for genuine medical reasons.
The vast majority of overweight folks are that way because of diet. you may not eat badly, but you eat too much.
Thats me, eat really well, hardly ever eat fast food, but I do tend to snack on carbs instead of fruit and am guilty of having seconds when I dont need them.
I know this is the case, because when I do actually make a point of stopping the extras, I loose the weight.
Call me harsh, I am a spade is a spade kind of girl.

[Kazmar]

You know what, i find the whole weight issue to be the same as the BF issue (everyone has a medical reason LOL.)
In actual reality, there are very few people who are over weight for genuine medical reasons.
The vast majority of overweight folks are that way because of diet. you may not eat badly, but you eat too much.
Thats me, eat really well, hardly ever eat fast food, but I do tend to snack on carbs instead of fruit and am guilty of having seconds when I dont need them.
I know this is the case, because when I do actually make a point of stopping the extras, I loose the weight.
Call me harsh, I am a spade is a spade kind of girl.

No, I get you

It runs in my genes to be thin. At 30 though we seem to have to work harder at keeping our weight under control

[Inanna]

I hear you & I hope everyone can just discuss the issue without taking it personally!

It is an indisputable fact that obesity is due more than 90% of the time to over eating, incorrect eating or lack of exercise. We are not meant to carry around so much weight. I know personally I couldn't bend as well, my body ached more & I felt more labile. Now I actually feel like doing yoga, feel like walking because it's easier - physically easier...

We have huge portion sizes compared to what is necessary. Our stomach is the size of our fist. Most people have dinner plates 2 sometimes 3 sizes bigger! We eat so many carbs - refined carbs. White pasta, white bread, fats.

I don't believe it's an individual "fault" it's our societal norm to have these massive meals. We stopped listening to our bellies. We stopped using our bodies and moving our bodies!

Instead of food being a fuel it's now something we treat with. I never give my kids food as a reward for this reason. Food is meant to be social and enjoyed but not at the volume that has become normal.

I do't think you're harsh at all Shelley - I think it's very hard to speak about as people tend to get reactive. Both ends of the scales do!

[Traveller]

When I was a new mother of of the mums in my mums group explained how she lost her first child hours after birth. He was born at 32 weeks, having not grown properly (IUGR) and with her subsequent pregnancy she had frequent growth scans to check her baby. She told me how every time someone said he had a small bump she would turn up in tears at her doctors office demanding a scan to check her baby was growing. It really made me think about what I say with regards to a woman's bump size, hence why I never even comment on a bump being neat or small.

With the twins though I was so massive people could not help but comment. I used to joke my belly entered a room 5 mins before the rest of me

[LimeSlice]

I have been overweight most of my life, and just plain fat for the last few years.
When I moved out of home though I dropped masses of weight and people started telling me how good I looked, was ace.
Then when a few years later, I was a size 6 (I was over the moon when I could get into a XS Little Black Dress from Protmans for NYE lol) and all of a sudden I was ill, "sooo skinny". I honestly felt fabulous - best I had ever looked and I was really happy with my self for the first time in my life.
Funnily enough, not long after that I started to put weight on again, wanted to be a size 10, where people would think I was ill, and ended up a size 16 I don;t know, maybe people had gotten so used to me being the frumpy one they were jealous when I rocked that dress at the Ferrari Grand Prix Party My lordy I was hot!

Now I just don't give a flying fig what people think - the only person I care about it my husband (and my health) aside that, everyone else can go jump....but I will get into that LBD one day soon hehehe DH loves it