From Deseret News archives:
Overweight need to love, not loathe, themselves
It is easy to see why some people who tip the scales begin not only to loathe the adipose, but they begin to despise themselves as the carrier. Separating their psychic from their cells is tough.
There is no question the people of the world are getting heavier. Recently, reports state that now 25 percent of Chinese are overweight. This is particularly amazing considering in the lifetime of many American adults, our parents told us to finish off our plates because of all the starving children in China. There is talk about the Western diet of meat and the Western diet of stress, but the complete story will not be understood if we only consider the total consumption of energy in the form of calories and the total exhaustion of energy in the form of work. There should be some thought to the hatred people can have for themselves when they finish off too many of their plates.
Somewhere in this "eating less and doing more" calculation there are additional details why many are enlarging their bodies. Certainly there is the supersizing phenomenon and, on the other side, the sedentary lifestyle, but there are the emotions in between.
Also, for the insecure, having their share of the treats and goodies is important to equal out any missing love and the perceived injustices. For the stressed the food is a calmer and can release hormones of pleasure. For the lonely there is reason why people gain weight in groups.
Our social networks make a big difference. Friends share dietary habits and volumes. Friends do things together or don't do a lot of things that require activity together. Friends mirror attitudes, thoughts and acceptance of each other and their body build. A circle of "thin challenged" friends could be the only place where an overweight person may find acceptance and refuge from their hatred.
Recent comments
To Anonymous@ 8:00 a.m. if you are not overweight you have no right...
Anon | July 19, 2008 at 2:35 p.m.
and the best way for the over weight to love themself is to eat lots...
Anonymous | July 19, 2008 at 8:00 a.m.
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