NinjaBoiX
Member
Well there you go. It makes sense I guess.
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Should someone who is obese be classed as disabled?
- Thread starter Deaf Spacker
- Start date
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I don't know if I'll get hated on by this opinion but..
I don't think obesity should be a disability. It is something you can fix. I know it's hard, especially since I've had friends and family members go through it, but i've seen people get through it.
Doesn't getting disability benefits make a lot of obese people be more complacent? Actually, now that I think about it, I think people who are trying to lose the weight legitimately should be getting these benefits. (I really dislike the HAES movement.. I think those people should not be getting these benefits.) Benefits for those who help themselves!
I don't think obesity should be a disability. It is something you can fix. I know it's hard, especially since I've had friends and family members go through it, but i've seen people get through it.
Doesn't getting disability benefits make a lot of obese people be more complacent? Actually, now that I think about it, I think people who are trying to lose the weight legitimately should be getting these benefits. (I really dislike the HAES movement.. I think those people should not be getting these benefits.) Benefits for those who help themselves!
NekoFever
Member
Not legally unless there's a complication that causes it to take longer than normal to heal. It's classed as a "temporary impairment".
Random Painted HIghway
Member
Permanently disabled, no as it is correctable. Temporarily, I could see allowing if required nutritionist and exercise intervention and psych counseling. Being obese would not prevent you from using a head set or typing. Paying someone disability pay while they sit at home and grow larger watching tv or doing whatever is just grotesque, and is just enabling further poor behavior.
speculawyer
Member
I'm conflicted. For some people who really have bad genetics I can see it.
But for the vast majority I think not. And classifying them that way is counter productive and just enables them. Don't give them scooters, they need to walk! Give them appointments with nutritionists. Give them that lap band surgery. Giving them scooters will just kill them faster.
But for the vast majority I think not. And classifying them that way is counter productive and just enables them. Don't give them scooters, they need to walk! Give them appointments with nutritionists. Give them that lap band surgery. Giving them scooters will just kill them faster.
I think people who choose not to take care of themselves and become obese without trying to be healthy is a disgrace and offensive to people born with permanent disability. They do not deserve the same treatment. People born with disabilities strive to overcome them, what to the obese do? Collect a check?
block tower
Member
.
I definitely see the conflict and agree with many people in this thread.
I will add this, however: many problems which are viewed by society as failures of "will power" are hugely misunderstood by most laypeople, and particularly most Americans. Americans have a particularly strong passion for the sense of freedom and free will, and the notion that people are nothing more than the meat in their heads -- and that this meat can go wrong just like any other part of our bodies can -- is very uncomfortable for a lot of people. Mental disorders of all types are often disregarded by many people because of this as "not real diseases." Our powerful desire to believe that we can control our own brains and that we can overcome chemical or hormonal deficiencies is an implicit assumption in many of these arguments.
I will add this, however: many problems which are viewed by society as failures of "will power" are hugely misunderstood by most laypeople, and particularly most Americans. Americans have a particularly strong passion for the sense of freedom and free will, and the notion that people are nothing more than the meat in their heads -- and that this meat can go wrong just like any other part of our bodies can -- is very uncomfortable for a lot of people. Mental disorders of all types are often disregarded by many people because of this as "not real diseases." Our powerful desire to believe that we can control our own brains and that we can overcome chemical or hormonal deficiencies is an implicit assumption in many of these arguments.
Cameron122
Member
As a wheelchair using man
Naw but really it should be considered how the obesity affects the person's body
Naw but really it should be considered how the obesity affects the person's body
Zoe
Member
From a workplace standpoint, I don't see why it shouldn't be treated just like any other disability.
Though at least in the US, employers are only required to make reasonable accommodations, so if this guy couldn't perform the duties needed of him with the children, then there isn't much he can do.
Though at least in the US, employers are only required to make reasonable accommodations, so if this guy couldn't perform the duties needed of him with the children, then there isn't much he can do.
I think of it as more of a temporary disability than permanent, unless you hit a point where something inside breaks and you do become permanently disabled. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to link obesity to an underlying problem if reasonable. Say eating to the point of obesity is an outward result of mental disability for someone, like any other form of self harm.
Basically, I think financial help with disability should also be coupled with some sort of help for getting off of disability when possible.
Basically, I think financial help with disability should also be coupled with some sort of help for getting off of disability when possible.
Elor_Nocudee
Member
Ugh as a Disabled Veteran some of the posts in this thread make my head hurt.
I agree with you, too many obese people are already cheating the system though. i understand there are some with legit physical/mental issues but the ones i've encountered can walk & live life just fine, they just wanna do it on the Governments dime.
I agree with you, too many obese people are already cheating the system though. i understand there are some with legit physical/mental issues but the ones i've encountered can walk & live life just fine, they just wanna do it on the Governments dime.
What exactly do you mean when you say obese people are cheating the system?
Ninja Scooter
Member
Do you think any veterans cheat the system? Would you appreciate being lumped in with the few that do?
Please don't compare people who served the country in the armed forces who nickel and diming the government to people who eat too much nickel and diming the government.
Ninja Scooter
Member
Way to miss the point.
I think it depends. I'm obese, but I don't need disability. I'm fine. On the other hand, my brother in law is probably pushing 600 lbs and can't walk without a walker.
I think in cases like that it would be acceptable, but I also think there would need to be some accountability. The person receiving benefits should have to show that s/he's making an effort to change the situation, or that the situation is legitimately beyond changing. In my brother-in-law's case, he's taken up swimming to try to exercise as a first step to change.
I also agree with this.
I think in cases like that it would be acceptable, but I also think there would need to be some accountability. The person receiving benefits should have to show that s/he's making an effort to change the situation, or that the situation is legitimately beyond changing. In my brother-in-law's case, he's taken up swimming to try to exercise as a first step to change.
I also agree with this.
Elor_Nocudee
Member
Only have anecdotal evidence from family who work in hospitals, Friends & my own experience in the VA and elsewhere. so i've got no links that would prove anything (plus i should have clarified i never meant "all" obese people do it, apologies)
I've been through far too many medical procedures (with the paperwork to back it up) to be lumped in with the shammers.
however i won't deny that there are some veterans that try to cheat the system, i've just never encountered them.
I can see where this is going.....
vas_a_morir
Banned
Well shit guys, if' it's not a physical disability, it's a mental one. Unless you think mental disabilities are not worthy of society's consideration.
I mean, I don't resent somebody because they are obese. It's a fucking struggle to lose weight, and some people can't walk but need to use public services just like other human beings.
I mean, I don't resent somebody because they are obese. It's a fucking struggle to lose weight, and some people can't walk but need to use public services just like other human beings.
Whitechocolatekrispies
Banned
As a wheelchair using man
Naw but really it should be considered how the obesity affects the person's body
Hey man you're in a wheelchair?
Can I ask you something. If I was walking behind you up a hill or something. Would it be rude to give you a push? If you were like struggling and your arms looked tired? Would you be offended if I asked if you needed a push?
Deaf Spacker
Memb
If you gave a wheelchair user a push without asking then they'll ask what the fuck do you think you're doing? If you ask and they say sure then go nuts buddy.
Cameron122
Member
If you didn't ask I'd Ryu throw you real quick but if you asked I'd be like ~onward to glory~ and all the lads and lasses would like you all the better for helping out
im a good wingman
I would say I'm the opposite, I went from 120kg to 75kg and the only reason I was fat was because I ate like a glutton and didn't exercise, all I needed to lose weight was the willpower to stick to a diet and exercise plan. Looking back it wasn't even that much effort.
Now I have horrible excess skin, and thats something I wish on no one.
David H Wong
Banned
It's basic psychology that we need to feel superior to someone, to make us feel better about our own lives. This is one of the last, safe forms of bigotry out there so the privileged tend to ride it pretty hard.
David H Wong
Banned
There is a 99% chance you will be fat again in the future, statistically. Life-long weight loss via willpower is virtually impossible, unless you develop an eating disorder.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/tara-parker-pope-fat-trap.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
You absolutely WILL be fat again. You will. And then maybe you'll change your mind about how "easy" it is.
I'd consider obesity a disability if it's actually affecting the person's ability to perform daily tasks. If a person is immobile (or has reduced mobility) due to his or her weight, then that is definitely a disability.
The main difference between 'traditional' disability and obesity-derived disability is that the former is usually caused by a pre-existing condition or through some accidental action, while the latter is generally self-inflicted. Hence the reason why so many people claim that obesity-caused conditions aren't disabilities.
Personally, I think that obesity-related disability should be considered no different from any other, in that reasonable accommodations should be made whenever possible. That said, since obesity is, in essence, a purely self-created condition, such accommodations should be contingent on participation in an ongoing weight loss/health improvement regimen.
(And 'genetic' or 'hormonal' conditions that cause irreversible weight gain are so uncommon as to be little more than rounding error when considering the obese population - especially Americans - as a whole. For 99.999% of people, if calories consumed < calories used, they will lose weight.)
The main difference between 'traditional' disability and obesity-derived disability is that the former is usually caused by a pre-existing condition or through some accidental action, while the latter is generally self-inflicted. Hence the reason why so many people claim that obesity-caused conditions aren't disabilities.
Personally, I think that obesity-related disability should be considered no different from any other, in that reasonable accommodations should be made whenever possible. That said, since obesity is, in essence, a purely self-created condition, such accommodations should be contingent on participation in an ongoing weight loss/health improvement regimen.
(And 'genetic' or 'hormonal' conditions that cause irreversible weight gain are so uncommon as to be little more than rounding error when considering the obese population - especially Americans - as a whole. For 99.999% of people, if calories consumed < calories used, they will lose weight.)
So long as it's not till I'm past 50 I don't really care. I'll just focus on putting on more muslce weight.
Edit; That study is on people eating extreme 500 calorie a day diets, I'm talking going from 2000+ calories a day to 1300-1500 and exercising.
John Kowalski
Banned
Unless you are about to get into grander concepts like how some individuals aren't given a choice by their environment as to whether they smoke or not, then yes, for the most part smoking related conditions are self induced. I don't think that factors into whether or not those conditions are deserving of being "classed as disabled", if they indeed are disabling the victim to the extent necessary to legally define them as disabling.
I hate the word disabled now.
If it is disabling.
I'm not here to decide what disabled people "deserved it" or whatever.
If some guy loses his legs from being a fucking idiot, he still is disabled. Not sure why that is different for a dude who really likes soda. Lord knows I do.
Obesity is more of a "by the grace of god" situation than many people want to admit. I mean, I was blessed with my DNA and environment. Lord knows I have it easier than people I know who eat healthier than me. Either way, you don't deserve to get shit on by society... especially because obesity is already more common in poor people.
I'm not here to decide what disabled people "deserved it" or whatever.
If some guy loses his legs from being a fucking idiot, he still is disabled. Not sure why that is different for a dude who really likes soda. Lord knows I do.
Obesity is more of a "by the grace of god" situation than many people want to admit. I mean, I was blessed with my DNA and environment. Lord knows I have it easier than people I know who eat healthier than me. Either way, you don't deserve to get shit on by society... especially because obesity is already more common in poor people.
Enter The 36 Chambers
Member
Absolutely not. Poor choices and no willpower is how obesity happens.
Then fat people raise their children with the same bad habits.
Being obese is at its simplest an excess of fat.
Eat less, exercise more. There, I've cured a "disability".
People shouldn't be able to claim disability benefits or handicapped parking spots just because they're fat.
Then fat people raise their children with the same bad habits.
Being obese is at its simplest an excess of fat.
Eat less, exercise more. There, I've cured a "disability".
People shouldn't be able to claim disability benefits or handicapped parking spots just because they're fat.
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