>>Although many people argue that being fat is unhealthy, this is not necessarily true.

Yes, we've seen the news reports about the "epidemic of obesity" plaguing America. And indeed, many people in our country have an unhealthy relationship to food -- or eat artery-clogging, processed food that's making them not only gain weight, but get sick.

All that said, there are also studies linking weight to genetics, and a rising "fat and fit" movement. In the crusade against fat, nobody bothers to mention those. But guess what? Every day, thin people also die from heart attacks, cancer, high blood pressure and all the diseases the media likes to attribute to fat Americans. In fact, yo-yo dieting -- continuous weight loss and regain -- puts stress on the heart and can actually be more damaging to the organs than maintaining a stable weight of say, 250 pounds.

We continue to advocate a healthy lifestyle for all sizes: pleasure over punishment, a fresh, unprocessed diet and regular exercise. But good health is a privilege. America has yet to suceed at bringing this luxury to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Since fat people are often discriminated against in the workplace (stereotyped as lazy, slow, greedy), they are statistically more likely to earn less, limiting access to great healthcare, organic markets and other resources. Not making generalizations or excuses here. Still, has anyone else seen the price of cherries at Whole Foods?

So, before you look at a fat person and weigh in on her medical records, pause. She may very well hit the gym more than her skinny sisters do, have a clean bill of health, and eat a heart-smart diet. Don't assume.

 

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