In response to nasty comments made in the thread discussing the Gillette ad featuring an obese woman, I wanted to raise awareness of a show called My 600-lb Life that has been airing on TLC since 2012. The show was created by surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan (or Dr. Now) who specializes in weight loss surgery for morbidly obese patients. Each episode follows a patient's year-long journey to get approved for weight loss surgery.
When asked for his motivation for creating the show, Dr. Now spoke of the ignorance that persists in regards to obesity and the people suffering from it. And this ignorance does not only stem from common folk, but people in the medical field as well. Therefore, he wanted to create a window for people and medical workers to gain insight into the daily lives and struggles of the morbidly obese, to allow them to adjust their views of these people.
Keynote with Dr. Younan Nowzaradan
It deserves mentioning that the show comes with a lot of drama at times, given that disfunctional family situations often make for the core of the issues that pathed a person's way to obesity. But that isn't why I came to appreciate this show. Instead, it has allowed me to see these people as victims of a sickness that spiraled out of their control. Eating addiction is not very different from drug addiction. However, no human can survive without food. Imagine a sober ex-alcoholic having to drink alcohol every day; they would have a hard time quitting their destructive habit. This means food addiction turns into a battle of incredible will versus temptation with each bite taken.
Is obesity acceptable? No, obesity and especially morbid obesity leads to a myriad of health issues and greatly shortens the lifespan of those afflicted. Furthermore, it can cause immense strain on a family. Morbidly obese people are decreasingly mobile with increasingly high weight, the eventual outcome their being bed-ridden. At this point at the latest, families are forced to adopt a relationship of caretaker and caregiver. The result oftentimes is estrangement and resentment.
What about their appearance? Beauty standards leave no place for the obese, and society makes sure to remind them of that at every turn. Being judged for their weight on a daily basis through looks and comments only harms their self-esteem, and that in turn only leads to them sinking further into unhealthy eating habits. After all, eating can be a safe space if you aren't allowed to feel safe anywhere else. Therefore, if you truly want obese people to improve their health, do not shame them for their appearance. Let them know they have a place in society as they are now, do not let them feel out of place. Healthy choices are theirs to make, but you can make it easier on them.
Likewise, Gillette showing an obese woman enjoying herself at the beach is a great thing. She should be allowed to, and these positive experiences will only make it easier on her to lose weight later should she decide to make that choice. On the contrary, you shaming her for enjoying herself outside will only lead to her putting on more weight instead. And that doesn't make you an ally - it makes you an accomplice in their weight gain.
This is just some of the more important insight I have gained thanks to My 600-lb Life, and I think it is something best experienced yourself. Wanting people to be healthier is a good thing, but if you do, you have the responsibility to treat them right. I think this show can help you learn to do so. The watch is difficult at times, a recent episode showing a patient that was successful in getting weight loss surgery still pass away from heart failure mere weeks later. I also need to warn of surgical procedures being shown in detail, meaning the faint of heart will want to look away.
You can find out more about the show here: https://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/my-600-lb-life/
When asked for his motivation for creating the show, Dr. Now spoke of the ignorance that persists in regards to obesity and the people suffering from it. And this ignorance does not only stem from common folk, but people in the medical field as well. Therefore, he wanted to create a window for people and medical workers to gain insight into the daily lives and struggles of the morbidly obese, to allow them to adjust their views of these people.
Keynote with Dr. Younan Nowzaradan
It deserves mentioning that the show comes with a lot of drama at times, given that disfunctional family situations often make for the core of the issues that pathed a person's way to obesity. But that isn't why I came to appreciate this show. Instead, it has allowed me to see these people as victims of a sickness that spiraled out of their control. Eating addiction is not very different from drug addiction. However, no human can survive without food. Imagine a sober ex-alcoholic having to drink alcohol every day; they would have a hard time quitting their destructive habit. This means food addiction turns into a battle of incredible will versus temptation with each bite taken.
Is obesity acceptable? No, obesity and especially morbid obesity leads to a myriad of health issues and greatly shortens the lifespan of those afflicted. Furthermore, it can cause immense strain on a family. Morbidly obese people are decreasingly mobile with increasingly high weight, the eventual outcome their being bed-ridden. At this point at the latest, families are forced to adopt a relationship of caretaker and caregiver. The result oftentimes is estrangement and resentment.
What about their appearance? Beauty standards leave no place for the obese, and society makes sure to remind them of that at every turn. Being judged for their weight on a daily basis through looks and comments only harms their self-esteem, and that in turn only leads to them sinking further into unhealthy eating habits. After all, eating can be a safe space if you aren't allowed to feel safe anywhere else. Therefore, if you truly want obese people to improve their health, do not shame them for their appearance. Let them know they have a place in society as they are now, do not let them feel out of place. Healthy choices are theirs to make, but you can make it easier on them.
Likewise, Gillette showing an obese woman enjoying herself at the beach is a great thing. She should be allowed to, and these positive experiences will only make it easier on her to lose weight later should she decide to make that choice. On the contrary, you shaming her for enjoying herself outside will only lead to her putting on more weight instead. And that doesn't make you an ally - it makes you an accomplice in their weight gain.
This is just some of the more important insight I have gained thanks to My 600-lb Life, and I think it is something best experienced yourself. Wanting people to be healthier is a good thing, but if you do, you have the responsibility to treat them right. I think this show can help you learn to do so. The watch is difficult at times, a recent episode showing a patient that was successful in getting weight loss surgery still pass away from heart failure mere weeks later. I also need to warn of surgical procedures being shown in detail, meaning the faint of heart will want to look away.
You can find out more about the show here: https://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/my-600-lb-life/
