Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Alberta Newspaper Says It Fat Shamed Health Minister By 'Mistake'

Cube Inmate · 01-06-2017, 01:45 PM

Random thoughts...all just opinions and perceptions.

Sorry for the long post. I came in here thinking "oversensitive weenies!" and just managed to talk myself into the opposite position. So...I'm posting it as a reminder to myself to judge less and ask more questions.

I believe people can get addicted to crappy food. It seems that it's most similar to other behavioural addictions, like gambling, sex, compulsive shopping, etc., as opposed to external chemical addictions like smoking, drinking. Because we see one as a "choice" and the other as a "chemical dependency," I think they're treated differently in terms of stigma. We look to treat "real" addicts whereas we simply look to shame these other people for their poor choices.

But I'm no expert, so I don't know about "food addiction." I just keep hearing that it's a real thing.

Here's another big twist: Of all the possible "addictions" out there, eating is the only one that a person can't actually abstain from. I honestly have no idea where it might cross the line from "choice" into "addiction" territory...but because one can't actually abstain from food, I have a hard time identifying the point where someone's gone from "flawed human" to "morally reprehensible."

Let's say you think "fat shaming" is OK because these people need to realize the error of their ways. How do you tell the difference between a 300-going-on-200-pounder and a 300-going-on-400-pounder? While the people might look identical to you, one is clearly making "good" choices and the other is not. So, back in reality, can anybody tell me the changes in Sarah Hoffman's weight since she came into the public eye? Yeah, she's obese...but is she obese and getting healthier or obese and getting worse?

And to someone who asked if we'd want an alcoholic running MADD... I say why not? Someone who's aware of his/her condition; who takes action to deal with it; who commits to staying off the road while impaired. Frankly, I think that'd be more effective as "messaging" than having a teetotaller in the position. MADD isn't about drinking...it's about DUI. The Health Ministry isn't about ensuring 100% of people are 100% healthy...it's about managing health problems (including with prevention) through good choices.

01-06-2017, 01:45 PM	#149
Cube Inmate First Line Centre Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boxed-in Exp:	Random thoughts...all just opinions and perceptions. Sorry for the long post. I came in here thinking "oversensitive weenies!" and just managed to talk myself into the opposite position. So...I'm posting it as a reminder to myself to judge less and ask more questions. I believe people can get addicted to crappy food. It seems that it's most similar to other behavioural addictions, like gambling, sex, compulsive shopping, etc., as opposed to external chemical addictions like smoking, drinking. Because we see one as a "choice" and the other as a "chemical dependency," I think they're treated differently in terms of stigma. We look to treat "real" addicts whereas we simply look to shame these other people for their poor choices. But I'm no expert, so I don't know about "food addiction." I just keep hearing that it's a real thing. Here's another big twist: Of all the possible "addictions" out there, eating is the only one that a person can't actually abstain from. I honestly have no idea where it might cross the line from "choice" into "addiction" territory...but because one can't actually abstain from food, I have a hard time identifying the point where someone's gone from "flawed human" to "morally reprehensible." Let's say you think "fat shaming" is OK because these people need to realize the error of their ways. How do you tell the difference between a 300-going-on-200-pounder and a 300-going-on-400-pounder? While the people might look identical to you, one is clearly making "good" choices and the other is not. So, back in reality, can anybody tell me the changes in Sarah Hoffman's weight since she came into the public eye? Yeah, she's obese...but is she obese and getting healthier or obese and getting worse? And to someone who asked if we'd want an alcoholic running MADD... I say why not? Someone who's aware of his/her condition; who takes action to deal with it; who commits to staying off the road while impaired. Frankly, I think that'd be more effective as "messaging" than having a teetotaller in the position. MADD isn't about drinking...it's about DUI. The Health Ministry isn't about ensuring 100% of people are 100% healthy...it's about managing health problems (including with prevention) through good choices.