Comments on: Fat Americans Should Not Get Handicap Spots

By: Eric Betts

Eric Betts — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:29:06 +0000

“Fat Americans Should Not Get Handicap Spots” is a statement that is difficult to claim untrue, but is so loaded that agreeing with it opens an individual up to strong criticism. The issue of obesity and its link to handicap status is by no means simple. A few thoughts to consider are
* Many people who are obese due of their own accord also suffer other maladies as a result (google “Obesity diabetes”). Thus the handicap spot may be an indirect result of their obesity.
* Our culture is one of cars and convenience. Anyone walking a long distance with a large backpack in an urban area to go shopping is assumed to be poor or homeless. A person with a bike and a trailer that isn’t holding children is assumed to be a bottle collector and destitute. We sneer and deride, even if not outright, anyone who doesn’t live our car culture. These activities are healthier, but don’t conform to social expectations.
* Inexpensive food is unhealthy, healthy food is expensive. Those with little money are at a disadvantage in feeding themselves and those they care for. Corn is, in the US, a heavily subsidized crop and thus many inexpensive foods are overly high in carbohydrates and sugars instead of protein and vitamins.

By: Robot

Robot — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:26:27 +0000

You are right on the money! People seem to have this illusion that even though they are hundreds of pounds over weight that they are really ok and that as long as they start to work out and diet tomorrow they will be ok. No, its not your metabolism, its the lazy slothful habits!

Now lots of fat people use kind euphemisms to describe themselves like “thick” or “BBW”. Sure, keep doing that. But the ugly truth is that no one, given the choice, would want to be fat!

And while you are young you can probably get by ok, walking is easy. Just wait till you are over 40. Every part of your body that supports weight will be failing. Feet, knees, hips, they will all be causing you pain every day. Thats ok, dont worry about it, you can always get an electric wheel chair and a handicap parking sticker…

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:38:49 +0000

Fat people are hurting the people around them. My obese mother has caused more disruption to me and my family than any other life event I can think of. Considering the real damage she has done, both financially and emotionally. I find it nearly impossible to have respect for people who let themselves go to that extent. They become dependent on able bodied people to the point where normal people become their slaves.

Its ridiculous; no, its beyond ridiculous. Its abhorrent.

By: krissy

krissy — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:31:48 +0000

I was 270 and lost 130 lbs!! I see NO excuse for this. GO TO THE GYM!!! enough is enough look in a MIRROR PEOPLE!!!!

By: Sterling

Sterling — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 01:47:57 +0000

I haven’t finished reading this yet, only the first sentence, but I want to say: that is the exact phraseology of my argument on this topic every time I have it. I’ll continue to read, but you’ve won, in my book.

By: mindful

mindful — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 23:26:49 +0000

Let’s be real. This issue is too big. So we have to make Policy and Environmental changes. I would like to sit comfortably in my seat on the plane next to you and not have to feel your fat rub or press into me.

By: Sociologist

Sociologist — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:26:21 +0000

The overweight/obesity issue is a far more complex issue than what people realize. Although the mechanics of weight loss is quite simple, it’s something thoroughly ingrained through interrelating physiological-psychological responses from the body. Truly following a diet (emphasizing caloric deficits), one will lose weight. But actual adherence is the true issue.

When you have vast groups of our population suffering from these chronic ailments, it’s not useful to point the finger at individual responsibility. It becomes a social issue and problem, one that needs to be rectified by proper public policies. A few off the top of my head would be better education towards nutrition and weight loss, as well as putting incentives in place to stock reasonably priced “healthy” foods in urban centers.

“Healthy”- defined as foods that are typically fruits/veggies/lean-protein-sources or with particularly high fiber. Each of which can aid a dieter (increases satiety), but is consistently priced at a premium in urban areas.

As a humane society, those who are significantly disabled/impaired WILL be taken care of regardless. Someone will foot the bill; this isn’t up for argument. Before all the libertarians eat me alive, it IS important for public policy changes to be made, as disease prevention is MANY times cheaper than treating the symptoms and a full-blown problem. Let’s be practical about this.

By: Hope

Hope — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:27:05 +0000

What society needs to understand is that endomorphs can not transform into ectomorphs or mesomorphs. They can maintain a reasonable health by eating and maintaining an activity level that promotes health, but even then there’s no guarantee that they will not become disabled. Every endomorph carries extra fat to a degree. What that degree is depends on not only their choices but their propensity for illness, socioeconomic factors, psychological factors such as motivation and mood, availability of knowledge, and social support. It is not strictly a matter of choice. There are numerous barriers and confounding factors.

In disability cases, people have mechanical breakdowns which are exacerbated by obesity, which leads to a downward spiral of limited activity and weight gain. It’s a complex problem and solutions are not as cut and dried as you might think.

To the author of this blog: You’re hanging your own shit on the fatties. Your lack of understanding is not their fault.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:13:33 +0000

not only that there too fat to work, so they get a social security check from big brother.

By: kevin

kevin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:46:05 +0000

(posted to pikk) Hooray! or Boo!? Fat Americans Should Not Get Handicap Spots | Quarter Life Crisis [POLL] – http://www.pikk.com/0c061