Body image: Do you find the word fat offensive?

mloc

After a discussion on another forum, it got me thinking. Do you find the word "fat" significantly more offensive than the word "overweight"?

If you were a few pounds on the heavy side, would you take significantly more offense to someone saying "your getting a bit fat" than someone saying "you are looking slightly overweight?".

cinnamon

not trying to go off topic here but i find the word skinny offensive (when it's used ina derogatory way).
i am quite skinny or slim, whatever you call it and am quite proud of my shape but find it very offensive when people go, 'oh she's too skinny' or they say other women (larger women) are real women, which makes me want to scream.
and yes fat is offensive. but skinny/fat - sometimes ppl call a spade a spade

mloc

agreed about the skinny thing. to a skinny guy trying to put on weight, being called skinny is just as disheartening as a larger guy trying to lose weight being called fat.

base2

Its sugar coating isnt it. Fat is fat.

is_that_so

Either term suggests a problem. They could easily be called Fred. The fact that someone uses the word says something either about the the person being addressed or the perception of the person saying it. To be overewight or fat requires you having too much ehh "fat" -which is a biological description. Not sure it's something that should be reported to the thought police or end up in the High Court. TBH some people go out of their way to be offended.

LegacyUser

Fat: Having much or too much fat or flesh; plump or obese

Sounds about right to me.

PDD

I think that is a question of pespective and a two sided story all wrapped up in one. Basically it comes down to how the person who is being called fat reacts to the statement and also how the person who is making the statement views the statement (thats the two sided story). Me personally fat is fat and theres no point sugar coating it, if being called fat bothers you or "offends" then that really is your problem (thats the perspective). The good news is you have the choice to react to it in whatever way you want, you can let it upset you or you can accept it and then finally there is the worderful magical world of rationalization.

nick23

Im a little overweight but ive lost a good bit of weight in recent years but i do still take offence if anyone calls me fat. It dus feel worse than being called overweight regardless of what anyone says

Supercell

I suppose both are equaly offensive, a good friend will call you fat to your face if you ask them because thats what being overweight is.
If people are offended by this they should do something about it (I am fat.. and i'm doing something about it before people start becoming indignant! - see my sig).

Dragan

Nope, as someone carry a little too much weight in places, not at all!!!!

rubadub

cinnamon wrote:

'oh she's too skinny' or they say other women (larger women) are real women, which makes me want to scream.

I hate those real women ads on TV, they are everywhere now. I have heard it being used to slag already, people saying "ye should have seen yer one, she was so real she could barley fit in the door", it is more slagging those crappy politically correct ads than the person.

So what is the new term for underweight women? This is a gym/food for fake women.

I think overweight/fat are as bad as each other.

Boru.

For a long time I used to be really nice and sensetive about this whole thing. I'd "suggest" that a person "may be" a "tad" more "filled out" etc etc etc... I wanted to be considerate of my clients. Many of them appreciated that.

The problem was because I was not taking a frim stance on thier weight (or lack thier off ) as their trainer, a few more pounds could pile on and they just go, oh, well, its just a tad more I have to lose....and they get mediocore results, they would slip on thier diet, miss training schedules etc.

SO I got tired of all this and just started turning around to my clients and telling them like it was, your fat, you eat compulsively and if you continue to do this you will have sever medical problmes inlater life. Its your fault not Mcdonalds, their your jeans so work with them, so take some re[psonsability for yourslef and do the work you need to fix it.

I remember the first time I said that to a client. They looked really upset and I thought, crap well that was tactful...The said they really needed to hear that, and they worked damn hard.

Today I think too many people get upset if you don't keep things nice and easy for them. Fit in wiht everyones ideas. Well perhaps that's why we have a growing obesity rate? If we keep letting it slide, then how are we going to help people change?

Believe me most people I work with appreciate my honesty - I tell them if they are doing a great job, I tell them if they're not. And if they don't do what I tell them - I fire them because i won't waste my time trying to help someone who is not putting in the effort because there is always someone out there who will.

If it upsets you being called "fat" - prove them wrong don't get angry or upset get motivated. To hell with them and they're opinions in a few weeks time you're going to have a body worth of a fitness model and they're still going to be them.

If you're too "skinny" - first they're probably jealous, second increase your muscle mass - if thats the problem assess what your eating, how your eating what types of food, look at your training etc. Don't just say its hard for me and quit - its not. Its just what youre doing right now isn't working, so find what does!:)

Transform

Agreed Boru

Most people dance around the issue and need to be told it straight (if the timing is right and the tone you take)

If people get upset by it then so be it!

If it will shift them out of the stinkin' thinking that got them to become absorbed in self indulgent behaviour without thinking how it can affect their lovelife, career and not to mention their health.

Its all in the tone and way it is said rather than being a cheeky kid or a know it all brother etc slagging sonemone off - true friends will let you know if you are getting overweight/fat others will let you wallow and continue the cycle of self pity.

Boru.

Exactly.

kindle

Isnt there an relative aspect to the question though? say your personal trainer tells you you are fat and you have some significant work to do, this is constructive critisim whereas if you someone points it out as a put down its a completely different ball game!!

What really offends me is the implications that because you are fat/overweight they are lazy and dont try hard enough. Particularly coming from slim people who eat crap and walking from the car to their hall door is the extent of their daily excercise!!!

r3nu4l

Yep, it definitely depends on who is saying it and the context in which it is said! A trainer saying "C'mon move that fat body 'til the fat is all gone" while helping and encouraging you is completely different to "Oi, fat W*nker!, pass the butterballs ha ha" or "When's it due mate?" from some (usualy fat, ironicaly enough) b*stard shouting at you in the street.