Covid and Obesity

Cobalt17 · 20-05-2020 4:09pm

kg703 wrote: »

This HAS to be a joke :O

It’s that kind of flippant attitude which dehumanises plus-sized people. I suggest you educate yourself on the topic.

20-05-2020 8:05pm

Wibbs wrote: »

Not this again. These days it seems you can't avoid hearing about mental health. It's rolled out for every damned thing as a reason, never mind the media types who can't shut up about it. Ireland and a few other western nations are apparently a bunch of neurotics.

Mental Health is definitely over-used as a reason/excuse for many things. Weight, in my opinion, is directly affected to mental health, though.

People who are of sound mind, mentally stable and secure, don't sit around the house all day, never going out, binge eating. And this is exactly what you have to do to gain substantial weight.

Your attitude of rolling your eyes at someone mentioning mental health is shoddy, by the way. Things affect people differently. I can honestly say I have no issue with being house-bound for the whole covid period. But I don't knock others who claim it'll affect their mental health, as I've no idea what's going on in their lives.

Obviously I can only speak for myself, but I'll admit that i rarely go out because I am extremely conscious of my weight. It's definitely a mental health issue for me, personally.

20-05-2020 8:13pm

pawdee wrote: »

If you eat to the point where you take on the dimensions of a large flightless bird don't be surprised if you're ostrich-sized in your own community.

You’ve hit the nail on the head there but by proving many people’s points rather than the way you think you have.

wadacrack · 20-05-2020 8:25pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

You’ve hit the nail on the head there but by proving many people’s points rather than the way you think you have.

You need to stop trying to play the victim. Work on self improvement

Mad_Dave · 20-05-2020 8:44pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Mental Health is definitely over-used as a reason/excuse for many things. Weight, in my opinion, is directly affected to mental health, though.

People who are of sound mind, mentally stable and secure, don't sit around the house all day, never going out, binge eating. And this is exactly what you have to do to gain substantial weight.

Can't say I agree with this. Weight is gained by taking in more calories than you burn.
With people's lifestyles become more sedentary and more over processed calorically dense foods available it's easy to think you've eaten a 'normal' amount of food during a day, but actually you're in a surplus of a couple of hundred calories.
Do this every day over the course of a few years and you will gradually put on a significant amount of weight - possibly without even noticing.

20-05-2020 8:45pm

wadacrack wrote: »

You need to stop trying to play the victim. Work on self improvement

Not with people like that slithering around. They are one of the biggest blocks to what they preach.

20-05-2020 8:52pm

Mad_Dave wrote: »

possibly without even noticing.

Trust me, no one gains a significant amount of weight without even noticing.

Mad_Dave · 20-05-2020 9:08pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Trust me, no one gains a significant amount of weight without even noticing.

I meant they might not notice the severity of what's happening due to the gradual nature of the change - also depends on the time frame and the amount of weight.
I know from experience that I wasn't aware when I discovered my BMI was just shy of the obese catagory.

Plumbthedepths · 20-05-2020 9:17pm

I have a SIL who is morbidity obsese, her excuses and lack of self awareness is impressive tbh.
Despite knowing the health implications even before Covid her ability to find reasons not to address her weight would try the patience of a saint. I concluded she is just a lazy waste of space.

Sorry about that · 20-05-2020 9:27pm

You only need to look at the photographs of the NHS staff who've sadly died from coronavirus, to see the risk to people who are overweight.

However, it's now taboo to name it; smokers are fair game (rightly so), but point out that obesity is a risk factor in an equally long list of diseases; it's body-shaming. It's bonkers. Instead of shouting stop, we now have fat mannequins in boutique windows, while the scrawny heroin-chic models of the '90's caused uproar. The big-bottom line is money, and fashion doesn't care what size you are, as long as the wheels keep turning (€€€€), so eat up everyone, big is beautiful!

yosser hughes · 20-05-2020 9:32pm

Sorry about that wrote: »

You only need to look at the photographs of the NHS staff who've sadly died from coronavirus, to see the risk to people who are overweight.

However, it's now taboo to name it; smokers are fair game (rightly so), but point out that obesity is a risk factor in an equally long list of diseases; it's body-shaming. It's bonkers. Instead of shouting stop, we now have fat mannequins in boutique windows, while the scrawny heroin-chic models of the '90's caused uproar. The big-bottom line is money, and fashion doesn't care what size you are, as long as the wheels keep turning (€€€€), so eat up everyone, big is beautiful!

Body positivity and fat acceptance, straight up marketing dressed up as something else.

jackboy · 20-05-2020 9:36pm

Mad_Dave wrote: »

I meant they might not notice the severity of what's happening due to the gradual nature of the change - also depends on the time frame and the amount of weight.
I know from experience that I wasn't aware when I discovered my BMI was just shy of the obese catagory.

Let’s be honest, most morbidly obese people have dedicated their lives to eating and most of their day revolves around food. When they come home from work they generally gorge themselves on utter crap all evening. It’s a small percentage that differ from this.

Mad_Dave · 20-05-2020 9:46pm

jackboy wrote: »

Let’s be honest, most morbidly obese people have dedicated their lives to eating and most of their day revolves around food. When they come home from work they generally gorge themselves on utter crap all evening. It’s a small percentage that differ from this.

I think it's more like a vicious cycle - the more you weigh the higher your resting metabolic rate, the more you eat to feel full. If your nutrition isn't very good the more weight you gain.

Round and round until you're morbidly obese.

NSAman · 20-05-2020 9:55pm

I always have to laugh when someone is like a wandering hippopotamus and says "I have a slow metabolism and medical issues".

The reason you look that way is because you stuff your face and do no exercise.

I am prone to putting weight on very easily. I am a big guy, build wise weighing in at almost 18stone, BUT I walk everyday, swim when possible, exercise every single morning 7 days a week and try as best I can to eat only twice a day. I do NOT count calories, I do not veg out in front of the TV every night.

I can say that most people who are fat are that way simply because they are too lazy to take control of their bodies.

I used to be very heavy, yes I was lazy and in a rut, but changed when I saw how much sitting around I was doing after a walk with the kids.

Anyone can change their shape for the better, all they need is the will power and the drive to change. That doesn't mean exercising for 15 minutes then phoning domino's for a large cheese and chicken tenders combo box.

With this COVID-19 lockdown I have tried to keep up the walking with a Treadmill. It has not been easy for me, but it still does the trick. People literally sitting at home still have the options of floor exercises like push ups, planks, star jumps, sit-ups and squats to sort themselves out. OK aerobically it may be more difficult, BUT where there is a will there is a way!

rovers_runner · 20-05-2020 9:56pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

What a thread.

People who are overweight know that they're overweight. You don't have to tell a black person they're black. You don't need to tell a blonde woman she's blonde. They know. It's already something they're aware of.

I'd be quite heavy myself (though thankfully I'm still relatively fit-ish) but jesus christ, when you read some of the posts on here, you can see why no one in Ireland talks about mental health. Literally ridiculing people for their weight, even though it's been long since accepted that the physical side of it is rarely why people gain substantial weight, and it's almost always directly related to mental issues or difficult prolonged life situations (hence "comfort" eating).

Have any of ye considered signing up to The Samaritans? You seem like naturals. :rolleyes:

Heavy but fit-ish, hahaha hahaha.
I'd say you haven't seen your mickey in years.

Portmanteau · 20-05-2020 10:01pm

It has made me give up bread and beer and other foods high in yeast - and the difference is phenomenal. So much more energy, drastic reduction in stomach and sinus problems, no more aching joints.

21-05-2020 12:34am

rovers_runner wrote: »

...

From reading your previous posts (which start with asking how to sort your 'beer gut'), you seem to have a real chip on your shoulder about other people's weight.

Almost every post is about running (guess what, by the way, I can run too! Imagine that. Although I stopped when I got to being able to do 20km as I found it boring). You must be one of those people that other's try to avoid conversation with, but pretend to your face that they actually don't mind meeting up with you at all.

You make all runners look like a tit when you write a post that could be mistaken as one done by a 6 year old in crayon.

21-05-2020 5:28am

Portmanteau wrote: »

It has made me give up bread and beer and other foods high in yeast - and the difference is phenomenal. So much more energy, drastic reduction in stomach and sinus problems, no more aching joints.

No bread and no beer would be no life at all.

splinter65 · 21-05-2020 6:22am

Every now and then a thread appears on boards which allows us to see how many utterly-perfect-in-every-way people post here. This is one of them. One poster described his obese SIL as a waste of oxygen, just because she’s obese, no other reason, and 13 others liked the post. Perfect perfect people.

riddles · 21-05-2020 6:36am

why not load on risk onto health insurance / life insurance premiums to reflect the increased risk similar to smoking? Once a year free medical that gives you a health rating risk and also Clearly outlines what you need to do as a program to get back on track.

More people now die from Obesity than smoking so why not address it in a similar way emphasising your personal responsibility here as is the basis of the no smoking campaign.

Why do airlines charge a premium for over luggage but not people?

It may horrify the PC brigade I suppose.

CivilCybil · 21-05-2020 6:50am

I can't speak for every fat person only myself.

I have a mental issue with food. When things go badly in my life it's my crutch. When I gave up food and lost loads of weight I turned to alcohol instead. When I gave up alcohol I started to gain weight but was much happier and felt better with food than alcohol.
Then I was diagnosed with a progressive autoimmune disease. Steroids at high doses three to four times a year for a few years. Each dose and hospital stay resulted in about a 4-7 pound gain and I wasn't in the right head space to deal with it all.
I've dieted but that never lasts because whenever life falls apart my immediate reaction is to turn to food.
I've been to my GP whose advice was "I can refer you to a weight loss clinic but the waiting list to even be seen is 5 years" and "it's ok to be hungry". Problem is, for me, hunger reminds me of being neglected as a child so fills me with anxiety and fear.
I've seen counsellors who can all diagnose the issues I have around food and listen to me talk about my feelings about food but as of yet none have offered practical advice.
My last resort will be weight loss surgery either in Ireland if my medical insurance will cover it or abroad if they won't.

I'm intelligent, I'm successful in my job, I'm a contributing member of society. I don't need the shame that's doled out, I've enough of it already. It didn't work when I was a teenager and my father slagged me off every time I ate. That just made me a secret eater and gave me more issues with food and my body.
I know I'm fat. I know the "solution" is to eat less and move more. I know that the same way a drug addict knows they shouldn't take drugs or an alcoholic shouldn't drink. But there's no drug to substitute food. No public treatment centers or charities that offer counselling and support for obese people. There is a FIVE YEAR wait list to even get a first appointment for an obesity clinic. And if they decide surgery is the best option, another 5 years at least before that happens.

To some this probably will sound like more excuses for laziness. But I hope it gives some insight into why "eat less" isn't always as straightforward as it seems.

Also I've been given abuse in the street about my weight. Usually little scrotes who think it's funny or drunk idiots.
As a result of that and feeling sh*t about the weight gain I don't really like going out with friends (yes I have friends!) And I make excuses to avoid social events. But then I feel lonely and sad. But turn to food for comfort. I want to do things and go places but I feel too self conscious because I've heard and read the comments people make about fat people. And I feel like people think that about me or some drunk fool will say it and I'll end up humiliated.

It's a cyclical process.

GreeBo · 21-05-2020 7:24am

CivilCybil wrote: »

...

How long ago was it when there was a 5 year wait? I haven't heard of wait times like that recently.

CivilCybil · 21-05-2020 7:40am

GreeBo wrote: »

How long ago was it when there was a 5 year wait? I haven't heard of wait times like that recently.

That was probably five or six years ago I think.
Possibly changed since. I have private health insurance now so paid for consultation at a private hospital.
I know from online support groups the waiting list for surgery is still five or six years. Not sure about initial consultation.

A quick Google seems to advise two to three years for initial appointment, attend for a year then 3 to 6 years for surgery. So about 7-9 years from referral to surgery
Shorter than it was when I first enquired but still a very long time

GreeBo · 21-05-2020 7:45am

CivilCybil wrote: »

That was probably five or six years ago I think.
Possibly changed since. I have private health insurance now so paid for consultation at a private hospital.
I know from online support groups the waiting list for surgery is still five or six years. Not sure about initial consultation.

So the obvious fact is that, had you booked it at the time, you would have been seen 1-2 years ago, but it seems like you didn't bother booking it... Why not?

CivilCybil · 21-05-2020 7:55am

GreeBo wrote: »

So the obvious fact is that, had you booked it at the time, you would have been seen 1-2 years ago, but it seems like you didn't bother booking it... Why not?

My GP didn't seem overly keen. It wasn't said in a "you'll be waiting five years"
It was more a "you'll be waiting five years so what's the point, you'd be better off doing counselling and dieting"

Which I have done on and off.
Believe me I regret not pushing for it at the time but I felt embarrassed at her reaction which was like some here, eat less. I remember her laughing when she said it's ok to be hungry.

I had health insurance at the time and GP didn't advise I could be referred privately and I wasn't too familiar with the system.
Being honest at the time I probably wouldn't have been able to afford the costs, even with the insurance.

So I did the counselling and the dieting when I could afford it, I joined the gym and have lost and gained and lost and gained. So I researched going abroad and realised I could attend privately here in Ireland.

Last year I went to a different GP in the same practice who immediately advised me he could refer me privately.

PmMeUrDogs · 21-05-2020 8:25am

NSAman wrote: »

I am a big guy, build wise weighing in at almost 18stone, BUT I walk everyday, swim when possible, exercise every single morning 7 days a week and try as best I can to eat only twice a day. I do NOT count calories, I do not veg out in front of the TV every night.

In the nicest way possible, unless you're approximately 7 feet tall, you're overweight. Even if you were 6'10, you'd be overweight. If we say you're 6'2, you're still significantly overweight.

So as much as you feel like it's acceptable to call overweight people "hippos," it's hypocritical at best.

I'm overweight at 11.5 stone, although I'm down from about 19.5 stone. I wouldn't dream of calling someone overweight a hippo, but if I were to do it, I'd make damn sure my own weight is perfectly healthy before doing so.

smurfjed · 21-05-2020 8:58am

why not load on risk onto health insurance / life insurance premiums to reflect the increased risk similar to smoking? Once a year free medical that gives you a health rating risk and also Clearly outlines what you need to do as a program to get back on track.

I hold a professional licence, to get loss of licence insurance I must maintain a BMI less than 30. Also in my annual medicals, a BMI higher than 30 results in all sorts of additional tests such as sleep apnea.

Why do airlines charge a premium for over luggage but not people?

Had that happen to me in the Philippines, max person weight included you and your baggage.

COVID is here to stay, I would have thought that anyone who could enhance their chances of dealing with this disease would take the opportunity to make lifestyle changes.

splinter65 · 21-05-2020 9:05am

GreeBo wrote: »

How long ago was it when there was a 5 year wait? I haven't heard of wait times like that recently.

On the Claire Byrne Show the other night a doctor specializing in this area said there’s only one other country in the EU worse then Ireland for providing services to the morbidly obese.

splinter65 · 21-05-2020 9:07am

smurfjed wrote: »

I hold a professional licence, to get loss of licence insurance I must maintain a BMI less than 30. Also in my annual medicals, a BMI higher than 30 results in all sorts of additional tests such as sleep apnea.

Had that happen to me in the Philippines, max person weight included you and your baggage.

COVID is here to stay, I would have thought that anyone who could enhance their chances of dealing with this disease would take the opportunity to make lifestyle changes.

Why do you consider morbid obesity a lifestyle change when medical professionals disagree with you? Are you a specialist yourself?

Bobeagleburger · 21-05-2020 9:15am

Medically it doesn't take much to drift into overweight. For a 6 ft man, 13.5st is overweight, and just over 16st is obese.

I wonder part of the problem is being overweight is normalised now. Maybe even the majority are overweight? If not it's going that way.

Maybe a big positive from Covid will be more people will take personal responsibility for their body and immune system as it could save their life. It'll almost certainly prolong it.

Sorry about that · 21-05-2020 9:48am

CivilCybil wrote: »

I can't speak for every fat person only myself.

I have a mental issue with food. When things go badly in my life it's my crutch. When I gave up food and lost loads of weight I turned to alcohol instead. When I gave up alcohol I started to gain weight but was much happier and felt better with food than alcohol.
Then I was diagnosed with a progressive autoimmune disease. Steroids at high doses three to four times a year for a few years. Each dose and hospital stay resulted in about a 4-7 pound gain and I wasn't in the right head space to deal with it all.
I've dieted but that never lasts because whenever life falls apart my immediate reaction is to turn to food.
I've been to my GP whose advice was "I can refer you to a weight loss clinic but the waiting list to even be seen is 5 years" and "it's ok to be hungry". Problem is, for me, hunger reminds me of being neglected as a child so fills me with anxiety and fear.
I've seen counsellors who can all diagnose the issues I have around food and listen to me talk about my feelings about food but as of yet none have offered practical advice.
My last resort will be weight loss surgery either in Ireland if my medical insurance will cover it or abroad if they won't.

I'm intelligent, I'm successful in my job, I'm a contributing member of society. I don't need the shame that's doled out, I've enough of it already. It didn't work when I was a teenager and my father slagged me off every time I ate. That just made me a secret eater and gave me more issues with food and my body.
I know I'm fat. I know the "solution" is to eat less and move more. I know that the same way a drug addict knows they shouldn't take drugs or an alcoholic shouldn't drink. But there's no drug to substitute food. No public treatment centers or charities that offer counselling and support for obese people. There is a FIVE YEAR wait list to even get a first appointment for an obesity clinic. And if they decide surgery is the best option, another 5 years at least before that happens.

To some this probably will sound like more excuses for laziness. But I hope it gives some insight into why "eat less" isn't always as straightforward as it seems.

Also I've been given abuse in the street about my weight. Usually little scrotes who think it's funny or drunk idiots.
As a result of that and feeling sh*t about the weight gain I don't really like going out with friends (yes I have friends!) And I make excuses to avoid social events. But then I feel lonely and sad. But turn to food for comfort. I want to do things and go places but I feel too self conscious because I've heard and read the comments people make about fat people. And I feel like people think that about me or some drunk fool will say it and I'll end up humiliated.

It's a cyclical process.

Your experience is tough, and clearly you need medical help to get there. You haven't expressed that is healthy to be overweight, or that you'd like to remain overweight. But overweight people are now being presented as beautiful, and body-confident, as though obesity is a choice to be celebrated. It isn't.

Being abused in public is horrible though, but if it's any consolation, I believe everyone gets crap from drunk idiots, or brave gangs of teenagers; it's not just overweight people. I'm not overweight and have had vicious remarks made about my appearance (which is unremarkable) while out running, getting a drink at a bar, and just walking into town. People are nasty no matter what you look like.

I hope you find a solution, best of luck.

CivilCybil · 21-05-2020 10:08am

Sorry about that wrote: »

Your experience is tough, and clearly you need medical help to get there. You haven't expressed that is healthy to be overweight, or that you'd like to remain overweight. But overweight people are now being presented as beautiful, and body-confident, as though obesity is a choice to be celebrated. It isn't.

Being abused in public is horrible though, but if it's any consolation, I believe everyone gets crap from drunk idiots, or brave gangs of teenagers; it's not just overweight people. I'm not overweight and have had vicious remarks made about my appearance (which is unremarkable) while out running, getting a drink at a bar, and just walking into town. People are nasty no matter what you look like.

I hope you find a solution, best of luck.

Thank you.
One thing I will say is that while I don't want to be overweight and I am aware it's bad for me, I don't feel I should hate myself or feel I'm less worthy than someone slimmer. I think that is where the body positive messages are coming from.
I would never suggest someone should gain weight and we can all strive to be healthier. But overweight and obese people wear their issues for all to see and that makes them an easy target. If ever I see a funny video on Facebook made by a fat person I know that the top few comments will not be praising their humour but making jibes at their weight.
It's inevitable.
The anger and vitriol some people direct at obese people is astonishing to be honest. And some are treated like crap because of their weight be it in work or relationships or public. The perception is that obese people are worth less and that needs to change. Nobody should hate themselves because of their weight.

Obviously we don't want to promote obesity as a healthy lifestyle but for people who are obese they should see positive representation of themselves instead of always being the butt of the joke or the lazy fat slob or the person nobody wants to be friends with or in a relationship with. Feeling body positive might actually help with weight loss as it stops the comfort eating because of shame and means people who are obese don't feel they have to hide away.
My current view of myself is not aspirational or healthy.

ILoveYourVibes · 21-05-2020 10:12am

wadacrack wrote: »

Healthier diets/less sugar and more emphasis on your own personal health hopefully will be a by product of this pandemic. Not just throwing drugs at yet another health problem . A More holistic approach required

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/obesity-stigma-and-vulnerability-to-covid-19-1.4250389

Nope. Gyms make more money by over selling memberships safe in the knowledge people won't turn up. That's the goal.

Food companies will not go down without a fight. Count the no of unprocessed vrs processed aisles in the supermarkets?

Its a business model.

ILoveYourVibes · 21-05-2020 10:13am

CivilCybil wrote: »

Thank you.
One thing I will say is that while I don't want to be overweight and I am aware it's bad for me, I don't feel I should hate myself or feel I'm less worthy than someone slimmer. I think that is where the body positive messages are coming from.
I would never suggest someone should gain weight and we can all strive to be healthier. But overweight and obese people wear their issues for all to see and that makes them an easy target. If ever I see a funny video on Facebook made by a fat person I know that the top few comments will not be praising their humour but making jibes at their weight.
It's inevitable.
The anger and vitriol some people direct at obese people is astonishing to be honest. And some are treated like crap because of their weight be it in work or relationships or public. The perception is that obese people are worth less and that needs to change. Nobody should hate themselves because of their weight.

Obviously we don't want to promote obesity as a healthy lifestyle but for people who are obese they should see positive representation of themselves instead of always being the butt of the joke or the lazy fat slob or the person nobody wants to be friends with or in a relationship with. Feeling body positive might actually help with weight loss as it stops the comfort eating because of shame and means people who are obese don't feel they have to hide away.
My current view of myself is not aspirational or healthy.

Overweight people need body positivity encouragement and love.

Its the food companies that need to be vilified.

LeBash · 21-05-2020 10:17am

Sorry about that wrote: »

You only need to look at the photographs of the NHS staff who've sadly died from coronavirus, to see the risk to people who are overweight.

However, it's now taboo to name it; smokers are fair game (rightly so), but point out that obesity is a risk factor in an equally long list of diseases; it's body-shaming. It's bonkers. Instead of shouting stop, we now have fat mannequins in boutique windows, while the scrawny heroin-chic models of the '90's caused uproar. The big-bottom line is money, and fashion doesn't care what size you are, as long as the wheels keep turning (€€€€), so eat up everyone, big is beautiful!

Smoking and Obesity rates are all way higher in more working class areas. Both tobacco and ****ty food companies target these areas because it works. These people tend to be victims of very clever pushes from companies. Ok they have chosen to stick 1, the other or both in their mouth.

Smoking cant be advertised but I've seen Camel run nights with free cigarettes, match boxes, little fancy note pads, prizes etc in pubs in Cabra, Blanchardstown and Raheny. I'm guessing they dont have a stall at taste of Dublin.

It's the same with sugar, salt and carb filled food. The Tescos, Dunnes etc etc in these areas will have samples regularly.

Say whatever you want about personal choice but advertising works or it wouldnt be a thing. Couple that with 0 personal health education in schools, generational ignorance of decent eating and you end up with what we have now.

I suppose after all this is over we will find out the areas most affected but my guess is outside of front line workers, it will be working class areas.

This could be a good time to put a 10% tax on advertising crap and for every 10 ads coke and mars have we can produce 1 ad showing the relationship of sugar and excessive carbs to weight gain and diabetes for example.

quokula · 21-05-2020 10:19am

biko wrote: »

Then Belgium's minister of health Maggie De Block is ****ed

This is a woman who qualified in medicine, worked as a GP for many years, ran for public office, got elected, got promoted to a ministerial position, and since than has been voted the most popular politician in the country in a number of polls, and was named as woman of the year by one national magazine.

But I'm sure she's very lazy and never worked for any of that, and you've achieved more in your life and have every right to ridicule her for her weight.

This thread really highlights all the bigots crawling out of the woodwork looking for an acceptable outlet for their vitriol and hate now that they can no longer freely take it out on people with different sexual orientations or skin colours.

s1ippy · 21-05-2020 11:03am

quokula wrote: »

This is a woman who qualified in medicine, worked as a GP for many years, ran for public office, got elected, got promoted to a ministerial position, and since than has been voted the most popular politician in the country in a number of polls, and was named as woman of the year by one national magazine.

But I'm sure she's very lazy and never worked for any of that, and you've achieved more in your life and have every right to ridicule her for her weight.

This thread really highlights all the bigots crawling out of the woodwork looking for an acceptable outlet for their vitriol and hate now that they can no longer freely take it out on people with different sexual orientations or skin colours.

But the fact of the matter is that she, and other public health representatives, are there to promote public health, but they clearly have a huge (sorry for the pun) very bad health issue that they are not treating. If even 10% more people saw her and thought "ah she's about 25 stone and she's health minister, it's probably fine that I'm 19st" and suffered all the health implications that came with it (and the number is high enough already), the issues we're having with coronavirus would be 10% worse and there would be a litany of other health implications.

Marianne Finucane wouldn't have been a good fit as the health minister either (sorry, pun again), because she smoked like a chimney and wouldn't be a good brand ambassador. You don't see Nike promoting their brand with Brian Blessed, because they're a private company and they're going to sell less activewear if healthy and fit people don't represent them. Unfortunately those in the public sector don't seem to be held to the same standard as in private, for some reason.

smurfjed · 21-05-2020 11:04am

splinter65 wrote: »

Are you a specialist yourself?

Is that a requirement to post here?

I Expressed the following opinion, “COVID is here to stay, I would have thought that anyone who could enhance their chances of dealing with this disease would take the opportunity to make lifestyle changes.”

So what do you think yourself?

quokula · 21-05-2020 11:11am

s1ippy wrote: »

But the fact of the matter is that she, and other public health representatives, are there to promote public health, but they clearly have a huge (sorry for the pun) very bad health issue that they are not treating. If even 10% more people saw her and thought "ah she's about 25 stone and she's health minister, it's probably fine that I'm 19st" and suffered all the health implications that came with it (and the number is high enough already), the issues we're having with coronavirus would be 10% worse and there would be a litany of other health implications.

Marianne Finucane wouldn't have been a good fit as the health minister either (sorry, pun again), because she smoked like a chimney and wouldn't be a good brand ambassador. You don't see Nike promoting their brand with Brian Blessed, because they're a private company and they're going to sell less activewear if healthy and fit people don't represent them. Unfortunately those in the public sector don't seem to be held to the same standard as in private, for some reason.

You seem to think the 19 stone person would lose all the weight if only someone informed them that they should, as if they were somehow unaware and they just decided they wanted to be obese for the craic.

JustAThought · 21-05-2020 11:12am

Having read the whole thread I’m really shocked at the spite and hatred shown towards strangers who are overweight -do people realky have that much hate and spite inside that they need to do that?

Regarding Covid, I find I am exercising a lot more to counterbalance boredom despite my gym now being shut. I am petsonally less likely now to risk my health by Q’ing every couple of days for fresh vegetables or salad -both of which Iwould pre-Covid have eaten a lot of.Now I find supermarkets have a pitiful and unpredictable supply of veg & often fruit and it’s not worth the expisure risk to keep trying or shopping around.

Its becoming really obvious the huge reliance the supermarkets have on ready ‘meals’ and breaded meats -fish/chicken/nuggets etc and frozen ‘meals’ & pizzas etc which are hardly good choices but their freezers are full of them.

I’m lucky enough to have 2 good butchers and small shops locally but would hate to be reliant on supermarket foods for nutrition.

I lived for a few years in Holland and Germany and they used have subsidised canteens for students and low paid workers -you can get a fresh meal comprising salmon,salad and vegetables for a few euro -far below what it would cost you to but in a supermarket. The idea was it helped those in low incomes eat healthily and showed and encouraged good eating habbits when young snd poor.

Here we now have families who can cook & eat together for a change and working or commuting mothers who finally have the time to spend 2 hours roasting a chicken for a meal or cooking a roast - not just putting something fast together after an 8 or 9 hour day and 2 or 3 hour commute. I’d love to see initiatives to help it continue & to help people be healthier.

I’d slso like the govf. use this crisis to ban all smoking and vaping in ALL public places and on streets and corridors in appartment blocks like in states in america.But no doubt they will be too backward thinking and fearsome of backlash to do that. If this covid19 incurable virus attacks lungs we need all the help society can have -not poking fingers and deriding overweight people.

s1ippy · 21-05-2020 11:48am

quokula wrote: »

You seem to think the 19 stone person would lose all the weight if only someone informed them that they should, as if they were somehow unaware and they just decided they wanted to be obese for the craic.

There is so much justification and defence of obesity going on in this thread alone. I would never personally rebuke somebody who is obese for their choice, but you have to accept that at least some portion (pun) of the blame goes to the obese person for their lifestyle, diet and exercise regime.

It's a lot less less thought and work that goes into getting obese than getting out of it. Fair enough, some people are taking medication that will cause obesity but a lad I know had a banger in early January (20 stone) and was hospitalised. Within two months he had lost four stone of what the nurses told him was just water retention.

In functional health systems, people with serious issues with weight are guided through programmes of diet and exercise so that they will not put even more strain and waste the time of health services due to complications down the line. But just like any other kind of addicts, we treat them with contempt here and don't provide any assistance.

It doesn't help that at the moment, many overweight people are probably risk-averse and using the pandemic as an excuse not to exercise.

Wibbs · 21-05-2020 12:03pm

JustAThought wrote: »

I’d slso like the govf. use this crisis to ban all smoking and vaping in ALL public places and on streets and corridors in appartment blocks like in states in america.But no doubt they will be too backward thinking and fearsome of backlash to do that. If this covid19 incurable virus attacks lungs we need all the help society can have -not poking fingers and deriding overweight people.

Smokers are much less likely to get the virus and less likely to need hospital treatment if they do. There are a number of current studies looking into the why's of it. Whereas being obese carries a very high risk of serious illness from Coivd19. So there's that. Though people do love simplistic answers to complex questions, especially if it aligns with what they already believe.

McCrack · 21-05-2020 1:52pm

CivilCybil wrote: »

I can't speak for every fat person only myself.

I have a mental issue with food. When things go badly in my life it's my crutch. When I gave up food and lost loads of weight I turned to alcohol instead. When I gave up alcohol I started to gain weight but was much happier and felt better with food than alcohol.
Then I was diagnosed with a progressive autoimmune disease. Steroids at high doses three to four times a year for a few years. Each dose and hospital stay resulted in about a 4-7 pound gain and I wasn't in the right head space to deal with it all.
I've dieted but that never lasts because whenever life falls apart my immediate reaction is to turn to food.
I've been to my GP whose advice was "I can refer you to a weight loss clinic but the waiting list to even be seen is 5 years" and "it's ok to be hungry". Problem is, for me, hunger reminds me of being neglected as a child so fills me with anxiety and fear.
I've seen counsellors who can all diagnose the issues I have around food and listen to me talk about my feelings about food but as of yet none have offered practical advice.
My last resort will be weight loss surgery either in Ireland if my medical insurance will cover it or abroad if they won't.

I'm intelligent, I'm successful in my job, I'm a contributing member of society. I don't need the shame that's doled out, I've enough of it already. It didn't work when I was a teenager and my father slagged me off every time I ate. That just made me a secret eater and gave me more issues with food and my body.
I know I'm fat. I know the "solution" is to eat less and move more. I know that the same way a drug addict knows they shouldn't take drugs or an alcoholic shouldn't drink. But there's no drug to substitute food. No public treatment centers or charities that offer counselling and support for obese people. There is a FIVE YEAR wait list to even get a first appointment for an obesity clinic. And if they decide surgery is the best option, another 5 years at least before that happens.

To some this probably will sound like more excuses for laziness. But I hope it gives some insight into why "eat less" isn't always as straightforward as it seems.

Also I've been given abuse in the street about my weight. Usually little scrotes who think it's funny or drunk idiots.
As a result of that and feeling sh*t about the weight gain I don't really like going out with friends (yes I have friends!) And I make excuses to avoid social events. But then I feel lonely and sad. But turn to food for comfort. I want to do things and go places but I feel too self conscious because I've heard and read the comments people make about fat people. And I feel like people think that about me or some drunk fool will say it and I'll end up humiliated.

It's a cyclical process.

I get what you're saying but presumably psychological and/or psychiatric referral could be of assistance if the obesity clinic has a 5 year wait which btw may not deal with the mental aspect in a clinical way

UrbanFret · 21-05-2020 2:04pm

Some people are naturally heavier than others. That's a simple fact, no doubt about it. I mean come on according to all these BMI calculators no one should weigh more than 12 st, I'd need to be on hunger strike for a month to get to that weight. 5ft 9" weigh 14st 6lb. Walk 6km a day. eat healthy don't smoke ,rarely drink. how do I get down to my recommended weight of 11st fk all?

stratowide · 21-05-2020 2:20pm

Does covid 19 have an opinion on peoples fat percentages or BMI..?

Or does it care about your problems or issues with food..?

CivilCybil · 21-05-2020 2:33pm

McCrack wrote: »

I get what you're saying but presumably psychological and/or psychiatric referral could be of assistance if the obesity clinic has a 5 year wait which btw may not deal with the mental aspect in a clinical way

It would be great if that was an available service. In my own experience if you can't pay for it, forget it.
Obesity won't be prioritised when resources are stretched so thin (pardon the pun!)

NSAman · 21-05-2020 2:53pm

PmMeUrDogs wrote: »

In the nicest way possible, unless you're approximately 7 feet tall, you're overweight. Even if you were 6'10, you'd be overweight. If we say you're 6'2, you're still significantly overweight.

So as much as you feel like it's acceptable to call overweight people "hippos," it's hypocritical at best.

I'm overweight at 11.5 stone, although I'm down from about 19.5 stone. I wouldn't dream of calling someone overweight a hippo, but if I were to do it, I'd make damn sure my own weight is perfectly healthy before doing so.

in the nicest way possible, I will always be classified as obese as defined by the BMI.

Body build has a huge bearing on BMI indices

the fact I have a 34 inch waist am tall and have large muscle to body fat will always mean I am classified as obese.

The fact that muscle weighs more than fat means that weigh is more than I would like but not much I can do about that, stomach is now flat where before it was sticking over the jeans.

Where I live (the States) is the epicentre of hippo’s world wide. it is obvious that lack of exercise for the person themselves is the main cause of people looking like said animal.

Simply changing the day to day habits of no exercise makes a HUGE difference for everyone, there are no bad effects to getting out and going for a little exercise.

there ARE, however massive bad effects of sitting too much and eating too much food!

Bobeagleburger · 21-05-2020 2:58pm

Wibbs wrote: »

Smokers are much less likely to get the virus and less likely to need hospital treatment if they do. There are a number of current studies looking into the why's of it. Whereas being obese carries a very high risk of serious illness from Coivd19. So there's that. Though people do love simplistic answers to complex questions, especially if it aligns with what they already believe.

Really? That's mad,the treatment part moreso.

UrbanFret · 21-05-2020 3:03pm

6 wrote: »

Really? That's mad,the treatment part moreso.

https://www.thesun.ie/news/health-news/5406284/smoking-increase-risk-covid-19/

Happyilylost · 21-05-2020 3:06pm

CivilCybil wrote: »

It would be great if that was an available service. In my own experience if you can't pay for it, forget it.
Obesity won't be prioritised when resources are stretched so thin (pardon the pun!)

Send a referral to the Weight Management Clinic in Galway University Hospital. I don't know where you live and understand this may be a distance from you but its not a 5 year wait.

Covid and Obesity

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