Poll: Should being obese be considered a disability?

[Saucycarpdog]

The question popped into my head after reading a news article. Some people want being Obese to be considered a disability while others are against that. One of the main arguements behind this debate is the Obese=Genes arguement.

As many know, if you have a disability, you get special rights. So if you are obese, you would get the same rights as someone who is paralyzed at their legs and has to use a wheelchair.

So, my fellow escapists, what is your opinion?

 

[Stammer]

No, because there's always a way around being obese. Even when your genetics make it harder for you to lose weight, it's always possible to lose weight.

Hell, I have a disease that gives me blisters any time I do any kind of physical work. And that includes on the hands when I use weights, my feet when I run, or even my ass if I ride a bike. But you know what? I found a way around that.

I can't do anything about my skin but I can do something about my weight. Anyone can. Genetics is not an acceptable excuse because no one is genetically 400 lbs. Genetics only means that your metabolism doesn't work as well so you just have to work harder at it than others. Eat a little bit less, watch what you eat, do even a small amount of exercise here and there. It works.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Neutral: It depends on the level of obesity. If they are so heavy that they can't support their own weight, then I guess they don't have a choice.

Spoiler: Malicious

Here's a tip. If someone is fat, encouraging them to be even more lazy is not a good idea. Why deprive them of the most basic physical activity. If they want that bucket of fried chicken so badly, they should atleast walk a few blocks for it.

 

[SturmDolch]

No. It's a choice. Smoking isn't a disability. Procrastination isn't a disability. What makes being obese so different?

*note: It's obviously not a choice when it's the result of a disability. But then it's a symptom, not it's own disability.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

No, even if they are gentically predisposed to it. They can still work hard and lose weight. I can't work hard and lose my cerebral palsy.

 

[Radeonx]

No, because no matter how terrible your genetics may be, you can still keep your weight at a functioning level.
You may not be a bronze statue of muscles if you work out, but you can still maintain a regular lifestyle. Anyone who is 400lbs and blames it solely on genetics is just oblivious to their own mistakes.

 

[j0frenzy]

To my understanding (being very limited), the people who have genetic issues with weight are still able to marginally control their health. For example, me who has not been below 200 pounds since I have turned 15 and have been able to maintain a relatively healthy standard of living. The only thing I need to fix is that my cholesterol is too low. Given that you can be fat and still be healthy, I would say that obesity should not be given the special designation of disability. However, more information on the subject would be appreciated. I could be talking entirely out of my ass and there could be people who are just physically incapable of being anywhere close to healthy. Still, my gut says that obesity as a disability should not be a blanket change but should be on a case by case basis, which would be annoyingly difficult to deal with, but not impossible.

Edit: Also, on a related note, can we please get rid of the Body Mass Index? I don't care what we find to replace it, but that is still a horrible way for determining health.

 

[Random berk]

Its less a disability, more a self inflicted injury. The military always took a dim view of anyone who shot themselves in the foot to get themselves sent home. Why should society reward someone who is too lazy or gluttonous to avoid turning into Jabba the Hutt?

My girlfriend is somewhat overweight, as is another friend of mine, but both go to the college gym, and my girlfriend is working to get on the volleyball team. This is the kind of thing people should be doing if they're overweight. Something like this

Spoiler

http://theamazing39stonecyclist.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/manual-worlds-fattest-man.jpg

is frankly an abuse of the good fortune to be alive. Don't look at the picture if you're easily offended.

 

[dreadedcandiru99]

I was technically obese for a while, but now I'm not. You know why? Because I quit sucking down Cokes and KFC Double Downs and went for a walk once in a while. I may never be exactly svelte, but at least I no longer look like somebody stuffed a pile of butter into some blue jeans.

So no, being fat is not a disability, because actual disabilities don't go away. No one has ever cured blindness with push-ups.

 

[RatRace123]

No, even having medical conditions that result in higher weight gain, that's still no reason to be obese, it's a simple matter of exercising enough and not gorging yourself on every meal.

A true disability isn't something you can get rid of, unlike all those holiday pounds.

Now don't take me for some skinny nut who's never had a triple digit weight. Medically I'm considered overweight (personally I think the medical measurement of weight could stand to be reworked, because even when I was more svelte I was still considered overweight, but that's another discussion all together.) and it's entirely my own fault. I'd like to lose maybe 20 or so pounds, if only so I can look better and probably feel a bit better.

 

[Mace Tulio]

No.

I don't want to be looked down upon as 'disabled' because of my obesity, which I admit is the result of poor lifestyle choices. I'm just a normal guy who likes cake.

(Also, don't get me wrong, I'm working on losing weight, but it is alot harder [for me at least] than most people expect)

 

[Jaded Scribe]

I say that if they've reached the point they cannot move under their own power, then yes, it is a disability. Often, people that reach that level of obesity also have other issues (such as being confined to a bed for other reasons).

But it's not impossible for them to lose weight. One of the current contestants on Biggest Loser was over 600 lbs and lost 100 of that before coming on the show. I think they should be given limited help, while requiring them to make efforts to lose weight (just like to get unemployment benefits you have to show that you're looking for work).

 

[similar.squirrel]

No. Nobody is genetically predisposed to be obese. It would be downright insulting to allow overweight individuals the same provisions you would give to a paraplegic. The crucial difference being that an obese person can alleviate their condition, whilst a paraplegic cannot will his or her legs into working again.

Granting the obese special rights will not encourage them to change; it will only serve to tell them they cannot, and this in turn will foster the same lifestyle that led to their condition in the first place.

Give them psychiatric treatment, by all means. Addiction is not an easy thing to overcome. But classing them with the truly disabled is downright insulting.

 

[Chairman Miaow]

Unless they have some crazy disease that makes them obese, they aren't disabled, just obese.

 

[Zannah]

Well, if you take a saw and sloppily remove both your legs, is that a diasabillity? Do you deserve society to jump in, help you, feed you and keep you alive, when the only thing that endangers you, is your own stupidity and lazyness?

 

[PeePantz]

*note: It's obviously not a choice when it's the result of a disability. But then it's a symptom, not it's own disability.

This note sums up everything. Disabilities can lead to someone being fat, but fatness by itself is not a disability. If a person happens to be fat as a result of their disability, by all means, they might deserve special treatment for that specific disability.

 

[SturmDolch]

Well, if you take a saw and sloppily remove both your legs, is that a diasabillity? Do you deserve society to jump in, help you, feed you and keep you alive, when the only thing that endangers you, is your own stupidity and lazyness?

I thought about that example, too, but it's not really as comparable. At least you can diet if you're overweight. But you can't glue your legs back on and say, "Sorry guys! Mistake there. I'll be more careful in the future," and walk off into the sunset.

 

[irani_che]

no
you do not have an excuse to be obese. Treat fat people the way you would a smoker or alcoholic.

 

[spartan231490]

The question popped into my head after reading a news article. Some people want being Obese to be considered a disability while others are against that. One of the main arguements behind this debate is the Obese=Genes arguement.

As many know, if you have a disability, you get special rights. So if you are obese, you would get the same rights as someone who is paralyzed at their legs and has to use a wheelchair.

So, my fellow escapists, what is your opinion?

Fuck no! You can have a genetic predisposition, that doesn't mean you are going to be obese. I have a genetic predisposition, and I will NEVER EVER EVER, be obese, because obesity is caused by life choices, and I choose to live healthy. Put down the bucket of popcorn, and take a god damn walk. If you have crippling obesity, have a surgery, then take a walk. it's not that hard, people do it every day.