Why do so many people hate people who are overweight?

I have fibromyalgia, degenerative disc and joint disease, osteoarthritis, gastritis, hypothyroidism, restless leg syndrome, and severe depression brought on by dealing with all these medical conditions. Yes I'm overweight but I do everything I can to try and combat it. Why do people see some one who is overweight and immediately make a personal judgement that "oh if she'd just watch what she ate she wouldn't be so fat, she's just a pig or she doesn't have any willpower!"? I happen to be a dietician and I know everything there is to know about weight control. Now you know who I am so how can you judge me by how I look? And what gives you the right to make generalized judgements against others you do not know just based on the weight they carry around?

Let me clarify this. I developed the medical conditions and gained weight. Before my illnesses I was never overweight. I was thin and in excellent condition physically. I'm currently in the best physical condition I can achieve. I have by no means given up. I think some people don't understand that when they look at an overweight person and then make a judgement based solely on appearance.

A lot of people are ignorant and just mean spirited. I've been overweight since the age of 6 (most likely due to hypothyroidism which I wasn't treated for until my later teens.) Also having depression and all the meds I'm on don't help. It's such a misconception that "fat" people eat all the time. I'm sure this is true for some, but it's definitely not true for all. I wish people would just stop judging others on looks. It's not an intelligent thing to do and just makes you look like an a**.

They don't look good .

What can we do, we're in the pity category. People look down on us, thought that we can't do anything based on our size & looks, well, slim people doesn't mean that they have a better brain & manner...

I was watching an interview with a guy who was in an 80's band and after the band broke up he gained weight. he said in the interview that it is more acceptable to be a drug abuser than overweight. i thought that was pretty profound. Its sad that people miss out on really good people because of their prejudice.

humans are pathetic, judgmental and critical beings, and i wish it weren't so. i understand the struggle you go through because my mom has to deal with weight issues too and the health problems that go with it. just keep on doing what you're doing since you know your facts, and don't pay attention to ignorant fools who have nothing better to do than judge you.

Fat people are seen as lazy, lacking self-worth and self discipline and of being stupid and smelly.

As you know, this is an unfair generalisation.

However fat people must tire more easily because they are carrying a lot of useless weight.

I'm fat too, but I have come to the conclusion that many "thin" people do not see nor meet many overweight people as they grow up. Also, their family has probably always been thin so they're just not used to it. They probably have not been friends with overweight people either. I personally don't mind a little extra on my women. Bony women turn me off totally and many of them think that guys like it. They're totally kidding themselves. I managed to get to my ideal weight while I was in the Marine Corps but I had a totally different diet and had to run almost every day.

because we live in a society controlled by tv and movies who in the most part are anorexic themselves.

You may want to try out www.sparkpeople.com as I have come across a few members who have the same issues as you.

As for your question, I think many people hate fat people because they themselves are unhappy. In history bigger people (primarily women) was showing how rich you are. It has gotten entirely out of hand for our generation, but I think a main reason why people could hate is because of their ignorance. Looking at a heavier person, one just assumes they eat McD's daily, and scarfs and does nothing in their life. Deep down, this person could be fighting off a disease or anything now a days. Most people are just ignorant and do not know about them. I have come across many Europeans who say that all american's are fat, greasy and sit and do nothing. So perhaps they are angry because we have tarnished America's beautiful reputation................. HAH

I hope this helps some, but there's really no other reason then to say- Don't judge a book by its cover.

Deep down, does it matter much if people who are so judgemental to not get to know someone before assuming that they're something when in fact they're not. Not people I want to know, nor people that I'd look to for anything.

Because most people are insecure at heart. Everyone is insecure about something. We all love it when we see someone who (in any way) can make us feel better about ourselves. Whether that is someone who is 100lbs overweight looking at someone who is 200lbs overweight and feeling better about themself by mentally putting the other person down or whether it is looking at someone with a bad dress sense/bad teeth/ unpleasant accent/ugly boyfriend etc etc.

Weight is an easy target because it is so immediately obvious.

The answer to your question is three words: low self esteem.

Judgements are based on stereotypes..we all use them, they麓re for making our lives easier and to simplify them. These judgements are not deep and they just show the weakness of a person that uses them...it is not ok that it麓s like that but you can be skinny and still be the victim of stereotypes...some people are overweight cause they can麓t control what they eat, but yes unfortunately there are plenty of them who are overweight because of their medical condition...overweight person has to be very strong in order to dealing with judgements...you can麓t change it..so perhaps don麓t take it personally anymore and try to see it as they麓re own weakness

ahh seriously no one thinks like , an overweight person should watch his/her weight for his/her own health no one will benefit if this person got thin or gained weight!! i think the ppl you have met are what we call today arrogant or simply trying to motivate you but fail to realize how harsh and cruel their words are! no one stays the same u'll get thin..fat..thin again that's life so never categorize your self as over weight coz your probably and i'm sure of it will loose it all and by the way humans defer you don't know what those ppl suffer in their houses the streets are mixed ppl with different backgrounds you find the good to the bad so never blame them good luck :)

In general most people are cruel. They criticize others , cause it makes them feel good about themselves. You know it is easier said then done, but just ignore the ones that do make their snotty remarks. You know who your true friends are, and they love you for who they are, you don't need anyone Else's approval.

IGNORE THESE VERY IGNORANT PEOPLE CANDY!....I have just looked at your 360 profile and you are a very beautiful woman!...But of course!...You already know that!

The weight isnt the problem. The way you feel about yourself is. Im sure you had a time when you considered your own body to be beautiful. Now with all your problems and the gained weight you see yourself and life in general differently. Youre not hated for being overweight, youre hated for the lack in confidence you have in yourself and the way you dont smile anymore. Depression sucks, but try to smile at someone today and really mean it with a glow in your eye. I bet youll get a better response.

in some ways people just want everyone else to have an easy answer to the health problem-just dont over eat and you'll be thin kinda thing They dismiss the emotional issues of it all. Mental health must be in order beofre a person can heal from obesity. Eating right would be great if we were all trained in cooking and eating healthful and affordable and tasty things Many are trained to eat unhealthful and dont learn otherwise. Fast food abounds and is addictive Its hard for many to pass up a tasty treat when hungry and far from the kichen then there are home treats that beckon A spartan would have no problem with this but most of us are unable to totally control ou r instincts to eat the most tasty food available Most people have weaknesses and succumb to them Not all have food weaknesses so they dont always"show" that wekness to the public Some have horrible evil tendancies-like pedophiles- but they hide themselves and cannot be discovered simply by looking at them So heavy persons get the judgement and categorized right off just by a look whreas the others may have disturbing or serious bad habits that dont "show" threfore they dont get judged unless caught which could be a long time or forever Just some thoughts.....

As the previous people have written, people for the most part lack the knowledge, understanding or are just prejudice of those of us that for some reason or another have gained weight. Yes, there are people who over eat, but they are actually in the minority. The rest of us have various medical or physiological disorders that control us and give us slow metabolisms or cause us to eat improper foods (like eating too much sugar in its' different forms or too much bread which when it breaks down is like sugar). The best thing to do is drink protein drinks for lunch (breakfast and dinner eat sensibly), and exercise moderately. You might not become skinny , but you will be healthier.

People make generalizations about other people all the time. It's called stereotyping...
You see a young black male in a brand new BMW he's a drug dealer.
You see a Blondie with big breasts she's easy and not to bright.
You see a group of middle eastern men in their mid 30's getting on an airplane their terrorists.
You see a white kid wearing his pants around his knee's listening to rap music, he's a rich kid from the suburbs.
These are all stereotypes based on statistics and social generalizations. The first impression anyone gets is generally of someones appearance and assumptions are made on that impression.
Hate's a pretty strong word. I live in a state where 32% of the population is overweight or obese. I'm just as guilty as anyone else when I encounter someone who is overweight. You associate certain attributes to someone who is overweight or obese. Lazy and unkepmt are the first two that come to my mind. Now I know everyone that is overweight doesn't fit into the stereotype of 'fat people', but I was fortunate enought to grow up with people who had medical conditions or a certain build that would never allow them to be anything but overweight. Most people are ignorant when it comes to the causes of obesity. You can either accept and dismiss these people or let it stress you out when you encounter them. Either way sounds like something happened recently to get you worked up and I suggest discussing it with your theropist. How do I have the right to assume you have a theropist? Because in your situation you should have one whether or not you think you need one. Also it would bother you so much what other people thought about you if you thought well about yourself...