The fact is that being overweight is very unhealthy. Obesity is becoming a major issue in western countries like America and Australia who are the top two obese nations of the world, in order! I as an Australian, am astounded at the amount of obese people around, It's nearly 2/3 of people! America is apparently worse. It is such a calamity, just look at the amount of overweight kids these days...they are the future and they arent going to get any healthier or live long lives unless there is a fuss about obesity, it is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.

Because it's unhealthy to be overweight. Being overweight causes a number of other health problems.

The problem of overweight in 50% of the USA population impacts our healthcare system costs, behind an obese person there are emotional issues.Eating is the 'relief valve" for problems unsolved. The old saying: "Eat to live, do not live to eat" applies more than ever to our society. Therefore we need to approach the "ups and downs" in our life, as mature adults, setting realistic goals, loving ourselves, and looking into the future with honesty, confidence and determination. If you see yourself with respect (soul, mind, body as an unit), not through others eyes but yours, and seek your inner peace, surrounded by those who love you, with a job that challenge your abilities and talents, well, your life will dramatically change for the best.

Being overweight just isn't pretty. It makes a person's body look physically distorted. Our brains doesn't respond very well to that sort of imagery. It has something to do with 1000's and 1000's of years of human survival. Our ancient ancestors couldn't have survive in primative conditions with that much ASS-cess. (Blood pressure and diabetic meds weren't invented back then.)

"It has something to do with 1000's and 1000's of years of human survival. Our ancient ancestors couldn't have survive in primative conditions with that much ASS-cess. (Blood pressure and diabetic meds weren't invented back then.)" This is absolutely false and absurd. Fat is stored energy. A fat person is fat partly because their body is saving up for the next lean season, when that doesn't come the fat stays on. Humans bodies are very good at storing up resources. This is why people exercise, to artificially create more work for the body than is necessary. And a fat person will live longer without food than a skinny person. edit: On goawaynow's comment, yes our bodies (apart from the brain) are probably quite a bit more primitive than our brains.

we have more mcdonalds than any other country

The medical aspect is already covered and being severly overweight isn't healthy. Now if your talking 15 to 20lbs that isn't really a health risk. That calamity stems from modern society being, vogue, seventeen, cosmo, look through these magazines sometimes. Media has been pushing the impression on what men and women SHOULD look like, wear and act. Its an amazing directive power that we as society has given to the media with increased delivery technologies.

Society is filled with health nuts. Health nuts which fear getting sick, or stuck in a situation they can't get out of so there stradegy is to make people feel unattractive in comercial ads, magazines, porno etc.. its all linked to getting people to get off there ass and try there product, or new exercise machine.

It's because it can lead to serious health risks such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. As webmd.com explains: "It is fairly common knowledge that being overweight increases your risk of developing a number of health problems. One of the best things that you can do for yourself is to maintain an appropriate body weight through a combination of sensible eating and frequent exercise. Just in case you want some compiling reasons why maintaining an appropriate weight is important, please consider the following: Overweight individuals are more likely to have high blood pressure than people who are not overweight. High levels of cholesterol (measured in the blood) are often linked to being overweight. Being overweight contributes to increased risk of sudden death from heart disease or stroke (without any preceding signs or symptoms). Type 2 (Adult Onset) Diabetes is twice as likely to develop in people who are overweight as compared to those not overweight. Several types of cancer are associated with being overweight. In women, these include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, breast and colon. Sleep apnea (a condition which can cause a person to stop breathing for short periods during sleep as well as to snore heavily) is closely associated with being overweight. Gallbladder disease and gallstones are more common in overweight individuals. Good News If you overweight….even losing even a small amount of weight may improve many of the health problems listed above. " source: http://www.blackwomenshealth.com/weight_loss_2.htm Weight Loss: Health Risks Associated With Obesity Obesity is not just a cosmetic problem. It's a health hazard. Someone who is 40% overweight is twice as likely to die prematurely as is an average-weight person. This is because obesity has been linked to several serious medical conditions, including: Heart disease and stroke High blood pressure Diabetes Cancer Gallbladder disease and gallstones Osteoarthritis Gout Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea (when a person stops breathing for a short time during sleep) and asthma Doctors generally agree that the more obese a person is the more likely he or she is to have health problems. People who are 20% or more overweight can gain significant health benefits from losing weight. Many obesity experts believe that people who are less than 20% above their healthy weight should still try to lose weight if they have any of the following risk factors. Family history of certain chronic diseases. People with close relatives who have had heart disease or diabetes are more likely to develop these problems if they are obese. Pre-existing medical conditions. High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, or high blood sugar levels are all warning signs of some obesity-associated diseases. "Apple" shape. People whose weight is concentrated around their stomachs may be at greater risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, or cancer than people of the same weight who are "pear-shaped" (they carry their weight in their hips and buttocks). Fortunately, even a modest weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds can bring significant health improvements, such as lowering one's blood pressure and cholesterol levels. How Is Obesity Linked to Heart Disease and Stroke? Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death and disability for people in the U.S. Overweight people are more likely to have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, than people who are not overweight. Very high blood levels of cholesterol can also lead to heart disease and often are linked to being overweight. Being overweight also contributes to angina (chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to the heart) and sudden death from heart disease or stroke without any signs or symptoms. The good news is that losing a small amount of weight can reduce your chances of developing heart disease or a stroke. Reducing your weight by 10% can decrease your chance of developing heart disease. How Is Obesity Linked to Diabetes? Type 2 diabetes reduces your body's ability to control blood sugar. It is a major cause of early death, heart disease, stroke, and blindness. Overweight people are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to normal weight people. You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by losing weight and exercising more. If you have type 2 diabetes, losing weight and becoming more physically active can help control your blood sugar levels. Increasing your physical activity may also allow you to reduce the amount of diabetes medication you need. How Is Obesity and Cancer Linked? Several types of cancer are associated with being overweight. In women, these include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, breast, and colon. Overweight men are at higher risk for developing colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. For some types of cancer, such as colon or breast, it is not clear whether the increased risk is due to the extra weight or to a high-fat, high-calorie diet. How Is Obesity Related to Gallbladder Disease? Gallbladder disease and gallstones are more common if you are overweight. Your risk of disease increases as your weight increases. It is not clear how being overweight may cause gallbladder disease. Ironically, weight loss itself, particularly rapid weight loss or loss of a large amount of weight, can actually increase your chances of developing gallstones. Modest, slow weight loss of about 1 pound a week is less likely to cause gallstones. How Does Obesity Cause Osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis is a common joint condition that most often affects the knee, hip, and lower back joints. Carrying extra pounds places extra pressure on these joints and wear away the cartilage (tissue that cushions the joints) that normally protects them. Weight loss can decrease stress on the knees, hips, and lower back and may improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. How Is Obesity Linked to Gout? Gout is a disease that affects the joints that is caused by high levels of a substance called uric acid in the blood. The large amount of uric acid can form into solid or crystal-like masses that deposit in the joints. Gout is more common in overweight people and the risk of developing the disorder increases with higher body weights. Over the short term, certain dietary changes may lead to an attack of gout in people who have high levels of uric acid or who have had gout before. If you have a history of gout, check with your doctor before trying to lose weight. How Is Obesity Linked to Sleep Apnea? Sleep apnea is a serious breathing condition that is associated with being overweight. Sleep apnea can cause a person to snore heavily and to stop breathing for short periods during sleep. Sleep apnea may cause daytime sleepiness and even heart failure. The risk for sleep apnea increases as body weight increases. Weight loss usually improves sleep apnea. " source: http://www.webmd.com

There is a stigma towards overweight people because society feels that individuals have the power to control their weight and those individuals who choose not to restrict and deny themselves, lack will power and are therefore irresponsible and morally deficient. Also, overweight people feel guilty and shameful and sometimes feel as if they deserve scrutiny. Like, if they had cancer, we would be sympathetic. But since they choose to overeat, we judge them harshly, so it's okay.

I myself am over weight and I feel great, it doesnot matter what a person looks like on the outside, it's how they are on the inside that really counts.

I think it is a double edged blade.First you have excessive advertising from fast food companies that influence mostly the young to constantly eat in thier restuarants.Therefore promoting bad eating habits and possible obesity.Now you have media showing women that are insanely thin as being the way to look.Do you find a conflict in this sort of problem we now have.We do not have enough media showing us good eating habits,eating more fruits and greens.People do not have the time to research diet and they're prey to fast foods because of convinience.The movie "Supersize Me " opened my eyes.Schools should have courses on good eating habits and encourage some sort of exerrsize.Children are developing serious health problems that used to be prevalent in much older people,at epidemic levels.

The more overweight a society is the more hatred they will stir because people see as worsening reflection of things to come. Its all to do with proportion of the problem. Other countries have overweight people as well but they are not as stigmatised for it because it is only a smaller amount so not seen as a important issuse. Ironic really because you'd expect the opposite and would think the more overweight a society the less affected people would be by the sight of it.

It is not healthy. That is and should be the only reason.

I think imho many people think of being overweight by more than a couple pounds means lack of disipline. Sometimes this is true. This isn't necessarily the case. There are some genetic disorders that can cause an appetite quite difficult to control. These include Prader-Willi syndrome, Bardedt Beil syndrome and others.

Who knows??

Is it? I didn't realise it was. I don't remember it being a calamity for Mama Cass in 1967.

cause of health problenns

Many of us lack lack self control and proper guidance. Proverbs 22:6 tells us to train our children from the beginning so that they will have good habits when they grow old. Since self control is a godly quality (5:22,23), many of us have not cultivated it, especially when it pertains to a healthy lifestyle.

It's unhealthy in every society. Americans just have a higher percentage of overweight people.

Because it causes health issues. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/healthy-weight-basics/obesity.htm

People are ignorant about what they're actually doing to their bodies when the eat like they do. They have little or no knowledge of nutrition or food and go on taste alone. Mostly it's carbs and sugar that get them.

Being overweight is unhealthy. Sugary and fatty foods can affect the way you think. In modern America, fast food restaurants and low prices go hand in hand. Eating fast food while saving money has become an addiction.

ppl discriminate against obese ppl

people discriminate obese people

Being significantly overweight is a rsk factor for heart problems, including heart attacks , cardiac arrests and certain cancers including breast, others. OTOH I am most definitely not for fat shaming.

Very unhealthy and not nice looking.