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News Anchor's on Air Response to Fat Shaming

NitroHangover said:
And I'm also saying that when someone chooses to be a public figure and a visual role model to others, people are allowed to have and express an opinion about whether or not you are a responsible one.
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It's unfortunate our society has become just that.

Sorry, I don't buy into it.

She's not using crack here. She is good at her job. She need to lose some weight. Big ****ing deal.
 
Middleground said:
It's unfortunate our society has become just that.

Sorry, I don't buy into it.

She's not using crack here. She is good at her job. She need to lose some weight. Big ****ing deal.
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Riiiiiiiiiiight. And the fact that you and many others don't "buy into it" is the reason why we are facing a health epidemic that is killing millions and millions of people prematurely.

But hey, at least you've changed your tune and acknowledge that she does need to lose some weight. Progress, I like it ;)
 
Chaddelamancha said:
Let's try and stay on topic. She is obese and it's unhealthy. Young viewers can point to her and say "It's okay to be obese, look at her." And that's not a positive message.
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No child growing up in this country would ever tell you it's ok to be fat. No one desires that. And definitely not because they saw one fat news anchor. MOST adults in this country are overweight at least you know...they have plenty of exposure to it.
 
Baralis said:
I disagree with you or at least with most people.

Do you see any fat people in this photo?

View attachment 67135611

That is a photo of a Nazi concentration camp. These people have had their food drastically cut over long periods of time. Im willing to bet your going to have a hard time finding any Nazi prisoner that is over weight after long term imprisonment. So while their are some medical conditions that can lead to a person being overweight they are the minority im sure, for the rest its all about what and how much they eat in comparison to what they use up. If you put anyone on a long term (wouldn't advise it, just an example) 800 calorie per day diet and they are going to lose weight. People have a hard time admitting to their faults and will find excuses to explain away their weaknesses and ignorance.
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Seriously? Are we talking about health or not? Of course if we lock someone in a cage and STARVE them near death they will lose weight. Do I need to tell you that's not healthy? Good lord.
 
kerussll said:
No child growing up in this country would ever tell you it's ok to be fat. No one desires that. And definitely not because they saw one fat news anchor. MOST adults in this country are overweight at least you know...they have plenty of exposure to it.
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You are doing yourself a disservice if you believe that people in the public eye don't have any influence on our children. Any child who see this anchor saying "Yea, I'm fat, so what?" is going to believe that there is nothing wrong with being obese.
 
kerussll said:
Seriously? Are we talking about health or not? Of course if we lock someone in a cage and STARVE them near death they will lose weight. Do I need to tell you that's not healthy? Good lord.
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I was not trying to advocate anyone starve to near death I was pointing out that for most people its all about intake vs used energy. However many people think they are starving when they eat the amount that they actually should for the amount of activity they are used to, people equate hunger with starving. Id like to point out that it does not take much to gain weight. An apple of just 95 calories seems such a harmless and trivial food, a food considered healthy, however just an apple a day over the calories you use that day will eventually lead to obesity, granted it would take a lifetime. The problem most face is they do not believe they are eating to much when in fact they are.
 
NitroHangover said:
Of course I'll "let" her. I didn't say she had to be a stick figure by next Thursday at sundown.

I'm only arguing with your (and others') assertion that there's nothing wrong with it, and she shouldn't feel compelled to change at all.
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There is nothing wrong with it. No one should feel it their place to tell her she is a bad role model for "being obese while a public figure". The commenter was the very definition of an asshole, and frankly a nanny stater. If people are offended by her body type they should keep it to themselves, I've worked with great people who have had life long weight issues and they are kind, good hearted, and hard working people. Those same friends are like family to me and they try their best to manage it, one of them sought professional help, the other was medically restricted in workouts due to a sciatic nerve issue that could paralyze her if she overdoes it and I think she'd be happier overweight and walking than disabled.

Like I've said earlier, I'm trying to get back into form but was built in a way that could have given me reason to judge others if I wanted to, but frankly that would have been rude, and beyond that it would have said more about me than the person being judged. You don't get people to adopt healthier lifestyles by bullying, condescending, and judging them. It doesn't happen by law or coercion, that person MUST be ready to come to that after making their own decisions, those lifestyle choices stick, vanity choices never do.
 
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We are facing a health epidemic in this country because of our culture. Every other commercial on tv is about food. Kids are fed fattening fried crap in schools and not given recess anymore. We have more fast food restaurants than anywhere else in the world. We work longer hours and can't exercise like we need to as a result. Restaurant portions are all huge.

This news woman hasn't made anyone else fat. These things have. I see a bunch of people on here advocating for personal responsibility that's very misplaced. This woman has a responsibility to the public not to be fat. Why? Because the public are sheep that have no responsibility of their own to take care of themselves? You're worried she is going to influence your kids negatively? You wouldn't be if you were responsible yourself and teaching your kids like you should be. Parent are an infinitely bigger influence than some woman they probably don't even watch on tv. You have responsibility over yourself and your kids. Whining about someone else's choices is absolutely pointless, and really distasteful.
 
kerussll said:
Seriously? Are we talking about health or not? Of course if we lock someone in a cage and STARVE them near death they will lose weight. Do I need to tell you that's not healthy? Good lord.
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He wasn't claiming that starvation is healthy. In fact, he said the exact opposite explicitly. He was responding to the notion that many people are just magically fat regardless of how much they eat. He was pointing out that there are no fat people in places and scenarios where people don't get enough to eat. No matter what our individual metabolisms may be like, our fat storage is always directly dependent on how many calories we take in, in relation to how many we burn off. That was his point. That the excuse of "Well a lot of fat people are medically prone to blahblahblah" doesn't hold water.
 
NitroHangover said:
He wasn't claiming that starvation is healthy. In fact, he said the exact opposite explicitly. He was responding to the notion that many people are just magically fat regardless of how much they eat. He was pointing out that there are no fat people in places and scenarios where people don't get enough to eat. No matter what our individual metabolisms may be like, our fat storage is always directly dependent on how many calories we take in, in relation to how many we burn off. That was his point. That the excuse of "Well a lot of fat people are medically prone to blahblahblah" doesn't hold water.
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I saw the ladies clip. And have a question which comes to me because of the number of posts about. Why is her weight calorie intact and outgo any of mine or your business? Why would anybody care? Its her business and her decision, doesnt effect us in any direct way so whats the point? It seems to me much ado about nothing.
 
Baralis said:
I was not trying to advocate anyone starve to near death I was pointing out that for most people its all about intake vs used energy. However many people think they are starving when they eat the amount that they actually should for the amount of activity they are used to, people equate hunger with starving. Id like to point out that it does not take much to gain weight. An apple of just 95 calories seems such a harmless and trivial food, a food considered healthy, however just an apple a day over the calories you use that day will eventually lead to obesity, granted it would take a lifetime. The problem most face is they do not believe they are eating to much when in fact they are.
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Your example only shows that limiting calories to a point that is dangerous will cause someone to lose weight. No kidding. Yeah, it's about intake and output but everybody will have drastically different results when calories are reduced and exercise is increased. It's easy for some and some will struggle with it for their entire lives.
 
kerussll said:
Your example only shows that limiting calories to a point that is dangerous will cause someone to lose weight. No kidding. Yeah, it's about intake and output but everybody will have drastically different results when calories are reduced and exercise is increased. It's easy for some and some will struggle with it for their entire lives.
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I've seen enough research showing that eating disorders among teenaged women are on the rise in the U.S from them trying to live up to the model standard of beauty and it sickens me. I've made my choice in life to stay active in my workouts but it isn't for everyone and people who don't have time aren't necessarily lazy. Some people are busy with family and work and literally have no extra time to hit the gym, some people have slow metabolisms and still maintain an exercise schedule, etc.

I would rather someone be happy and healthy than thin, miserable, and killing themselves by malnutrition.
 
NitroHangover said:
He wasn't claiming that starvation is healthy. In fact, he said the exact opposite explicitly. He was responding to the notion that many people are just magically fat regardless of how much they eat. He was pointing out that there are no fat people in places and scenarios where people don't get enough to eat. No matter what our individual metabolisms may be like, our fat storage is always directly dependent on how many calories we take in, in relation to how many we burn off. That was his point. That the excuse of "Well a lot of fat people are medically prone to blahblahblah" doesn't hold water.
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Yes, I understand his point. It's theoretically possible for everyone to lose weight. You can do the math and calculate how many calories you need to eat. But people who have a slower metabolism or are an endocrine issue like insulin resistant are going to have a much, much harder time of it. I just wish we had something more to help these people than to shrug and say "well, it's your fault you're fat. Deal with it." There is a real market for a safe prescription appetite suppressant that works, and the first drug company to develop one is going to make billions.
 
You know, the more I see of this issue the less sympathy I feel for this woman. Not only was it her choice to pursue a career that is assured to involve public scrutiny, I think she is greatly overplaying how her getting an email related to her weight correlates to others. Does she really think the guy who sent this to her is sending similar critiques to every overweight person he sees or is acquainted with? As another poster mentioned, it is unlikely many kids are watching the local news, particularly if she is on during the school day, and even if they do they would never even have been aware of the comments made about her if she hadn't decided to give them air time in a ploy for sympathy. I'm not sure this isn't just an attempt at self promotion and intended to gain publicity and possibly a better job offer for her. I also question if the station would have agreed to her airing personal dirty laundry if her husband wasn't also an anchor there. I would never insist or even suggest to this woman that she lose weight but when you are a celebrity(even a minor league one) quit whining that not all the public attention you receive is positive.
 
In general private/public, commenting on physical characteristics is bad etiquette (or worse).
With public figures, entertainers, etc., it comes with the territory, and clearly this person made the choice to make this an issue on-air.

kerussll said:
Yes, I understand his point. It's theoretically possible for everyone to lose weight. You can do the math and calculate how many calories you need to eat. But people who have a slower metabolism or are an endocrine issue like insulin resistant are going to have a much, much harder time of it.billions.
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It's not theory, in the general population it's a fact. A fact. A fact. Which is of course how they rationalize it away, by denying it.
Habits, choice, working around ones genetics and preferences, shifting a diet and gradually aquiring healthier taste, things things take work, and some people avoid it. We all rationalize away the things we don't want to do to some degree. For some, this becomes basically a mental condition, a hardcore refusal to admit reality (and it's not just overeating, lots of people do this with lots of behaviors).

The issue here is that liberals want me, involuntarily, to pay for this persons healthcare. And if I have no choice in that, why the **** should you be free to overeat and not exercise, knowing this will cost me more? Chaining them to me (by me providing healthcare money for them) might seem like a good idea, until I drag them with me at a pace they can't keep up with. Then what, we'll have to restrict my freedom to require them to live moderately healthy if I'm paying their way? Surely this is reasonable! :)
 
LaMidRighter said:
There is nothing wrong with it. No one should feel it their place to tell her she is a bad role model for "being obese while a public figure". The commenter was the very definition of an asshole, and frankly a nanny stater. If people are offended by her body type they should keep it to themselves, I've worked with great people who have had life long weight issues and they are kind, good hearted, and hard working people. Those same friends are like family to me and they try their best to manage it, one of them sought professional help, the other was medically restricted in workouts due to a sciatic nerve issue that could paralyze her if she overdoes it and I think she'd be happier overweight and walking than disabled.

Like I've said earlier, I'm trying to get back into form but was built in a way that could have given me reason to judge others if I wanted to, but frankly that would have been rude, and beyond that it would have said more about me than the person being judged. You don't get people to adopt healthier lifestyles by bullying, condescending, and judging them. It doesn't happen by law or coercion, that person MUST be ready to come to that after making their own decisions, those lifestyle choices stick, vanity choices never do.
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I never said fat people aren't good, decent people. This is America. You think I don't have personal relationships with people who are obese? We ALL do.

But I'm sorry... anyone who believes that creating and preaching a societal attitude of acceptance around a problem is not going to worsen the problem is a fool. We can't start telling people that it's ok to be fat and then pretend that the result won't be people thinking it's ok to be fat. I mean what kind of sense does that make? We don't tell people that it's ok to be an alcoholic; we confront. We judge.

And don't give me that nanny state garbage. Nobody is advocating government control over what we eat, or how much we exercise. I'm against Michelle Obama's little lunch program, and restrictions on portions and whatnot. This letter writer was not being nanny stateish. He was advocating the blunt acknowledgment of ugly truth, and personal responsibility to fix the problem. You're a conservative; you should understand that. You, on the other hand, are acting very much like your average liberal here: ignoring and exacerbating a problem to avoid being insensitive to peoples' feelings.
 
PirateMk1 said:
I saw the ladies clip. And have a question which comes to me because of the number of posts about. Why is her weight calorie intact and outgo any of mine or your business? Why would anybody care? Its her business and her decision, doesnt effect us in any direct way so whats the point? It seems to me much ado about nothing.
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For the same reason it's ok to be upset about a supermodel who weighs 85 pounds being on the cover of a magazine. These people are public, visible role models. They DO have an effect.
 
NitroHangover said:
I never said fat people aren't good, decent people. This is America. You think I don't have personal relationships with people who are obese? We ALL do.

But I'm sorry... anyone who believes that creating and preaching a societal attitude of acceptance around a problem is not going to worsen the problem is a fool. We can't start telling people that it's ok to be fat and then pretend that the result won't be people thinking it's ok to be fat. I mean what kind of sense does that make? We don't tell people that it's ok to be an alcoholic; we confront. We judge.

And don't give me that nanny state garbage. Nobody is advocating government control over what we eat, or how much we exercise. I'm against Michelle Obama's little lunch program, and restrictions on portions and whatnot. This letter writer was not being nanny stateish. He was advocating the blunt acknowledgment of ugly truth, and personal responsibility to fix the problem. You're a conservative; you should understand that. You, on the other hand, are acting very much like your average liberal here: ignoring and exacerbating a problem to avoid being insensitive to peoples' feelings.
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I was afraid you might take it as commentary on your actual post. It's actually commentary on the person who went out of his way to insult the news anchor and the situation in general. People these days get into "fat bashing", while obviously no one wants to be fat, what I am saying is that you don't get people to listen to advice by insulting them, obese people know they are obese and some don't know where to turn for help, some do but don't have time.

What I'm getting at is the underlying societal attitude about fat people is more damaging than the obesity itself. When I work out with new workout partners who haven't had a lot of exposure to exercise I don't go "drill seargent", but rather encouragement and making workouts fun(even though I damn near kill myself during mine). My overall point is that knocking people for obesity isn't cool, they have feelings and when you get people depressed they are even LESS likely to get out of habits that exacerbate the problem.
 
NitroHangover said:
For the same reason it's ok to be upset about a supermodel who weighs 85 pounds being on the cover of a magazine. These people are public, visible role models. They DO have an effect.
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And what direct effect would that be? I could care less either way. Why anybody would waste energy being upset about it is beyond me. Rolemodels? You have rolemodels on a magazine? Or the news? Or TV, or the internet? Really? People you've probaly never met and know practicaly nothing about. Why on earth anybody do that? Thats sad.
 
kerussll said:
Yes, I understand his point. It's theoretically possible for everyone to lose weight. You can do the math and calculate how many calories you need to eat. But people who have a slower metabolism or are an endocrine issue like insulin resistant are going to have a much, much harder time of it. I just wish we had something more to help these people than to shrug and say "well, it's your fault you're fat. Deal with it." There is a real market for a safe prescription appetite suppressant that works, and the first drug company to develop one is going to make billions.
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From what I understand, the latest consensus is that no more than 1% of obesity in America is caused by an actual medical condition. That means that 99% of the fat people out there are fat because they're just not doing what they're supposed to be doing. It drives me crazy that this is always the first thing you guys latch onto when the subject is being discussed. It's just not reality. Nothing is making 99/100 of these people fat. They are doing it to themselves.

And I agree about the drug thing. I know that the first FDA approved diet pill hit the market a few years ago, because my GF took it for a little while. It was a big deal at the time, but I haven't heard much about it since. Apparently it's no miracle drug, or I'm sure everyone would be on it.
 
LaMidRighter said:
I was afraid you might take it as commentary on your actual post. It's actually commentary on the person who went out of his way to insult the news anchor and the situation in general. People these days get into "fat bashing", while obviously no one wants to be fat, what I am saying is that you don't get people to listen to advice by insulting them, obese people know they are obese and some don't know where to turn for help, some do but don't have time.

What I'm getting at is the underlying societal attitude about fat people is more damaging than the obesity itself. When I work out with new workout partners who haven't had a lot of exposure to exercise I don't go "drill seargent", but rather encouragement and making workouts fun(even though I damn near kill myself during mine). My overall point is that knocking people for obesity isn't cool, they have feelings and when you get people depressed they are even LESS likely to get out of habits that exacerbate the problem.
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Alright well I guess I can kind of agree with you there. I wouldn't have written the letter. And if I had, it would have been much less harsh and more encouraging. I never said the guy wasn't a dick.
 
I think that no doubt the news anchor is sensitive about her weight problem and therefore is angry about the criticism, but to respond on air in such an exaggerated manner is unnecessary. It could have been best to treat the email as a "trolling" incident because the whole affair now only highlights her hypersensibility and wastes everybody's energy and time.

Most important, she shouldn't attempt to hijack the program with her own personal issues which surely are of little or no interest to the audience.
 
PirateMk1 said:
And what direct effect would that be? I could care less either way. Why anybody would waste energy being upset about it is beyond me. Rolemodels? You have rolemodels on a magazine? Or the news? Or TV, or the internet? Really? People you've probaly never met and know practicaly nothing about. Why on earth anybody do that? Thats sad.
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I'm not saying that people consciously point at the TV and say "I wanna be fat like that lady". But if you think that all the movie characters you've idolized, and figures you've seen on magazines and in comic books and on billboards and television shows and commercials, and all the musicians you've listened to and on and on and on haven't had an effect on the development of who you are and what your attitude about society and health and everything is, then you're kidding yourself.

And I never said "DIRECT effect", but I like how you slipped that in there, lol. This guy...
 
NitroHangover said:
Alright well I guess I can kind of agree with you there. I wouldn't have written the letter. And if I had, it would have been much less harsh and more encouraging. I never said the guy wasn't a dick.
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Eureka!

:2brickwal
 
PirateMk1 said:
I saw the ladies clip. And have a question which comes to me because of the number of posts about. Why is her weight calorie intact and outgo any of mine or your business? Why would anybody care? Its her business and her decision, doesnt effect us in any direct way so whats the point? It seems to me much ado about nothing.
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I believe it was all about someone in the public eye setting an example which does perhaps in a very minuscule way effect society. When one looks around and sees a lot of people overweight one begins to believe it is acceptable and ok, I mean after all most Americans are overweight so it is not an issue right? Perhaps it isnt really anyone elses business but it certainly isn't something to aspire to.

I felt the message was written in a respectful way and the author did not seem to be rude in his question. I think it simply struck a nerve with her, she is probably very aware of her weight and is not happy with it herself.
 
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