Why people hate fat Americans

spiked-online ^ | 9 September 2005 | Daniel Ben-Ami

[tbird5]

If Americans had to be described with one word, there's a good chance it would be 'fat'. Americans, we are constantly told, are the fattest people on the planet. Obesity is rife. Compared with other nations the Americans are not just big, but super-size.

Yet this obsession with obese Americans is about more than body fat. Certainly there is a debate to be had about the extent to which obesity is a problem in America - a discussion best left to medical experts. But a close examination of the popular genre on obesity reveals it is about more than consumption in the most literal sense of eating food. Obesity has become a metaphor for 'over-consumption' more generally. Affluence is blamed not just for bloated bodies, but for a society which is seen as more generally too big for its own good.

It is especially important to examine this criticism of American affluence in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. An assumption underlying much of the discussion is that, at the very least, wealth did America no good in its battle with nature. An editorial in last weekend's UK Guardian caught the tone: 'America is the richest and most powerful country on Earth. But its citizens, begging for food, water and help, are suffering agonies more familiar from Sudan and Niger. The worst of the third world has come to the Big Easy.' The implication is that America's wealth is somehow pointless.

[Vision]

If Americans had to be described with one word, there's a good chance it would be 'fat'

Only by an American hating liberal journalist. I'd say we are the most caring, evolved, righteous people on earth.

[clee1]

Throughout recorded history, body fat was considered an indicator of wealth.

Even though modern medicine has shown obesity to be a risk factor for earlier deaths, people continue to over-eat. That's just plain dumb.

However, the reason the leftists of the world don't like it is simple: They can't stand for anyone to have 2 cents more than anyone else.

[CO Gal]

Pleeeeze..pleeeeze..pleeeeze people! NO pics of Jabba the Kennedy in his swim trunks!! I beseech you!!!!

[rmmcdaniell]

I hate smelly French people

[durasell]

Fat is now identified as symbols of poverty and ignorance.

[gondramB]

It would be easier to accept such criticisms if developing countries didn't imitate our consumption as fast and as much as they are able. In many cases they are more wasteful about it.

[uglybiker]

Who you callin' fat?

[Lewite]

Reply to post #2

You are so right about this, we out pace all other nations in care for our fellow man.

[DTogo]

I feel sorry for rescue folks who have to deal with "fat" folks needing to be picked up or carried to safety.

[NRA2BFree]

Pleeeeze..pleeeeze..pleeeeze people! NO pics of Jabba the Kennedy in his swim trunks!! I beseech you!!!!

LOL! I second that. :o)

[weegee]

We are not the nation that made this a sport:

[NaughtiusMaximus]

Why should pencil necks claim to have a monopoly on morality or anything else? Some American citizens were forced into trouble and other Americans are rushing to bail them out. The government is performing its role nicely but the free enterprise system is shining in its speed, efficiency and compassion. As for the author of the article, we invite the big, tough guy who used to make him cry in gym class to come back for a recap.

[Conservative Texan Mom]

Well, what does Michael Moore have to say for himself!?!

[pcottraux]

"People Hate Fat Americans..."

"In other news, Michael Moore's popularity continues to plummit..."

[Andy from Beaverton]

[pcottraux]

"Fat is now identified as symbols of poverty..."

True, yet incredibly stupid.

[jomama717]

I agree with caring, somewhat agree with righteous, but am confused by "evolved". Explain. As a side note, I also agree with fat :)

[clee1]

Good Lord!

The sad thing is that some people find that bag of bones attractive.

Yech!