Fat vs Thin: A Debate

• Hiccup wrote on 2010-06-15 02:30
  A touchy issue but lets keep it clean~
  
  Basically should transportation services accommodate to the larger population of folks?
  
  I personally think that if we have come to a point where larger people can not comfortably travel in one seat then we have a serious issue. I don't think they should cater to em. By not doing so it promotes the general health of that individual and would give em a reason to not be so heavy. You shouldn't be eating that much to gain that much weight to begin with, if you seriously cannot fit in a seat or get kicked off then you should re-consider your dietary habits.
  
  Hollywood director Kevin Smith kicked off plane for being 'too fat' - Telegraph
  
  

  Smith, who played a non-speaking character called "Silent Bob" in several films, hit back on Twitter.
  
  He wrote: "I know I'm fat, but was Captain Leysath really justified in throwing me off a flight for which I was already seated?
  
  "I broke no regulation, offered no 'safety risk' (what, was I gonna roll on a fellow passenger?).
  
  Southwest's "Customer of Size" policy requires that travelers must be able to fit safely and comfortably in one seat.
  
  Smith insisted that he was able to put both arm rests down and buckle his seat belt, which is Southwest's standard.
  
  "I'm way fat, but I'm not there just yet," he said. "And if look like me, you may be ejected from Southwest Air."
  
  The director refused to accept a $100 (£60) voucher from the airline.
  
  After getting on another Southwest flight he took a photograph of himself and posted it on Twitter with the caption: "Look how fat I am on your plane!
  
  Quick! Throw me off!" After his flight from Oakland landed in Los Angeles he said: "Don't worry: wall of the plane was opened and I was airlifted out."
  
  Southwest later offered its "heartfelt apologies" to Smith who directs the new Bruce Willis movie "Cop Out".

  
  
  Obesity and Overweight
  

  Obesity is defined simply as too much body fat. Your body is made up of water, fat, protein, carbohydrate and various vitamins and minerals. If you have too much fat — especially in your waist area — you're at higher risk for health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
  
  Obesity is now recognized as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack. Some reasons for this higher risk are known, but others are not. For example, obesity
  
  * raises blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
  * lowers HDL "good" cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is linked with lower heart disease and stroke risk, so reducing it tends to raise the risk.
  * raises blood pressure levels.
  * can induce diabetes. In some people, diabetes makes these other risk factors much worse. The danger of heart attack is especially high for these people.
  
  Even when there are no adverse effects on the known risk factors, obesity by itself increases risk of heart disease. It also harms more than just the heart and blood vessel system. It's a major cause of gallstones and can worsen degenerative joint disease.
  
  Obesity is mainly caused by taking in more calories than are used up in physical activity and daily life. When people eat too many calories, or too much saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol, their blood cholesterol levels often rise. That raises their risk of heart disease.

  
  
  And to those who've seen my pic. Yes, I'm skinny and underweight but blame my hyper-active metabolism. Otherwise I'd be pretty fat.
• Shirayuki wrote on 2010-06-15 02:37
  I guess there are things like pushing the scale too far, and being just pudgy.
• Sleeperdial wrote on 2010-06-15 03:01
  If a person is fat its their fault.
  And don't give me that genetic BS.
  Don't give me that "No really genetics is a viable issue." BS either *cough* Kiteak *cough*
• Kazuni wrote on 2010-06-15 03:08
  Shouldn't be kicked off a plane, but changes shouldn't be made on account of obesity, even in America, one of the fattest countries in the world, yes?
  
  Like, for example, buses should not change their seat sizes and planes shouldn't have to either.
• Skye wrote on 2010-06-15 03:10
  I went to Universal Studios or MGM or someplace like that a few years ago...one person's parent had to leave the ride because the restraint wouldn't go down enough to be considered safe.
  I think that's how it should be with everything. If it embarrasses the person, I'm sorry, but then maybe that should tell them to lose some weight. :/
• Axx wrote on 2010-06-15 03:38
  Does something NEED to be done about it? No, nothing really NEEDS to be done. Companies are in it for profit after all, if they don't want to give you service for whatever reason that's their business. They'll have to deal with the bad press and bad word-of-math (each of which alone can kill off a company), but it's up to them. Alternatively they might start targeting the 'larger population' and attempt to attract customers that way.
  
  But I disagree with Skye, I don't think society in general should dictate how a person lives their life. Yeah, it DOES, that's how it has worked, is working, and will work, but I still don't like it.
• EndlessDreams wrote on 2010-06-15 04:02
  It isn't good to be in either extreme.
• Hiccup wrote on 2010-06-15 04:06
  Oh I know, my school mails me a letter saying I'm underweight every year, and my doctors have asked on more then one occasion if my parents feed me.
• BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2010-06-15 04:06
  unfortunately, being extremely fat to the point where causes discomfort for others
  from movie seats to plane seats
  can actually force you off.
  
  It's a pity but businesses generally dont provide beyond the minimum service promised.
• Intex wrote on 2010-06-15 04:16
  A huge problem with the obesity epidemic though, is that it strikes poor people more often than middle class.
  Fast food is much cheaper than fresh produce, people with less money end up getting obese :\
  Laborers might have no time to exercise or find healthy food.
  
  We can't control peoples lives but obesity causes problems.
  For example buses would not be able to fit as many people; just because you take up more room, another person needs to stay behind.
  
  For things like airlines, when you can't fit in the seat, that's a safety issue.
  Kevin Smith might not have been there, but there are people who are there.
  On airplanes, the poverty issue isn't a factor so people who ride planes should control their own weight or not use the service.
• Shanghai wrote on 2010-06-15 06:38
  There needs to be less meat and fast food in the U.S., since our obesity problem is coming from there with the abundance of meat from hormone-treated animals and the like. Meat was a rare delicacy before, now it's something we take for granted and we eat it almost everyday as part of an American Diet. I say meat prices need to be raised up higher so it'll be more like something you would eat monthly and not daily.
• Ninjam wrote on 2010-06-15 07:34
  Most people cant live without there morning bacon though.
  
  But meat isnt that bad if you eat it daily, just as long as it hasnt been lathered in grease and deep fried before you eat it. Meat thats cooked without all that extra fat is better tasting anyway.
  
  Im underweight, but i think its cause i have a high matabolism or something cause i eat a lot.
• Osayidan wrote on 2010-06-15 11:15
  I don't think people who are fat to the point that it inconveniences others, or puts them at risk of physical harm (i.e: amusement park rides) should be accommodated, or compensated in any way. When I get on the bus in the morning and can't get past the entrance because some fat person is standing there and refuses to move, I certainly wish they were not allowed on.
• paladin wrote on 2010-06-15 11:29
  I would only boot if its a safety hazard or a major inconveince
  
  Otherwise I wouldnt be that mean and risk the bad press and then getting chewed out by the higher ups
  
  Like the op stated That director could fit in the seat fine,enough and safely. So they had no real grounds to eject him
• Phunkie wrote on 2010-06-15 12:37

  Quote from Sleeperdial;64683:

  If a person is fat its their fault.
  And don't give me that genetic BS.
  Don't give me that "No really genetics is a viable issue." BS either *cough* Kiteak *cough*

  
  
  You obviously do not know genetics.
  
  Lots of things depend on genetics. You cannot disregard it like that so easily.
  
  Sure, being excessively obese might not be only caused by genetics. Also, having a fast metabolism might not be just caused by the types of food you eat or the amount of exercise you get.
  
  Truth is some people just have an incredibly fast metabolism. Some don't. Genetics.
  
  That's like saying, "If a person gets skin cancer more easily than others, it's that person's fault. He or she shouldn't be out in the sun too often." No. Genetics plays a good part in forming who you are today.
  
  
  

  Quote from Shanghai;64875:

  There needs to be less meat and fast food in the U.S., since our obesity problem is coming from there with the abundance of meat from hormone-treated animals and the like. Meat was a rare delicacy before, now it's something we take for granted and we eat it almost everyday as part of an American Diet. I say meat prices need to be raised up higher so it'll be more like something you would eat monthly and not daily.

  
  
  Don't.
  
  Raise the prices of sodas and all that.
  
  Meat isn't what makes you fat. What kind of meat are you eating?
  
  Plus, meat is a valuable part of our diet. And hell, I do not want to turn vegetarian. No offense to others, but I get tired of vegetables really quickly. Carrots and broccoli are an exception. I need some good, red meat sometimes. And eggs.
  
  That's our protein, man!
  
  I can assure you that you will lose weight if you cut the sodas and the sugary juices. Honestly. That's one of the problems in this country. The goddammed Coke and Sprite and Pepsi.
  
  
  

  Quote from Skye;64696:

  I think that's how it should be with everything. If it embarrasses the person, I'm sorry, but then maybe that should tell them to lose some weight. :/

  
  
  I disagree again.
  
  Obese people are people too. Respect them, don't embarrass them. That makes you look like a BIG prick. It's never nice to pick on the fat kid in school, why does it make it better for society?
  
  There are ways to tell people to lose weight. Nicer ways.
  
  I saw this show the other day. An old couple wanted to go sky diving 'cause they were getting old and thought it would be a thrill to do this before they (or one of them passed away). The husband was kinda over the weight limit for sky diving. He wasn't fat at all. He just was over the weight limit, which is the "safe limit."
  
  So the wife said they would come again next year after he's lost a few pounds.
  
  No one was embarrassed. No foul words were exchanged. There was just a simple understanding. We can't risk the old guy's safety just because he's a little past the weight limit. Done.
  
  We oughta be respectful to people, guys. Our gov't should start communicating information to people about the risks of being so obese (not overweight). Overweight is nothing. Loads of people are overweight.
  
  It's obesity that's a problem.