Weight is an unnessary part of the equation here, those issues are concerning regardless of how fat the individuals are! If everyone was skinny but with clogged arteries would the health issue suddenly disappear? Weight doesn't even need to be considered.
Weight does need to be considered. Certain safety standards have to be met based on how much weight something can support (an elevator for example, or a ladder). Weight can also play a role in how much force is generated if someone falls. If that someone has osteoperosis and falls down and breaks their hip (note: they fall down for a reason other than the hip breaking pre-fall), then weight may play a very important role in how the bone fractures, the extent of the damage, etc.
While I understand that there is an emotional and very personal side to the issue of obesity, there are some facts that cannot be overlooked and talked about because the topic is a sensitive one. For example: hospitals having to buy open MRI's because patients cannot fit into closed machines (and other medical equipment). Logistics is also important when dealing with fulfilling the needs of all patients.
This is yet to be proved, we don't have the knowledge to even try and understand the size of the genetic, social and economic mountains these people have to climb, starvation is a proven weightloss treatment, but everyone's will has a breaking point. You can never know untill you're in their shoes how high their mountain is to climb. You can make all the best choices and be completely responsible and live a happy lide and still be obese.
Unhealthy living is the problem, and people of everysize can live unhealthy lives. By focusing on Obesity we just make scapegoats, and excuse the behaviour of the unhealthy people of all the other sizes.
We have to work with knowledge that is available to us (and follow appropriate guidelines). Yes, obesity is a great challenge to overcome. But so are a great number of other health related issues (ex. cancer, diabetes, drug addictions, etc.) There are ways to lose weight in a healthy manner (WeightWatchers comes to mind), and there are other options as well.
But I will agree and disagree with you: I think that a majority of people are obese because of poor lifestyle choices, but being obese does not mean that one cannot live a happy life.
Unhealthy habits and eating are the root of a growing health problem in the developing world. And yes, people of any size can be unhealthy. But I don't think that the obese are scapegoats by any means.
I am somewhat hesitant to say this, but I dislike the idea of 'victim' being brought into the obesity issue. I have noticed more and more that a 'victim mentality' is brought into issues where it does not belong. In my own perceptions of it, if someone says something to the contrary to the 'victim' side of the issue then that person is emotionally judged by both the 'victim' side and society at large. Thus, the person who brings up a contrary opinion risks either passively agreement with what is said, or active measures against their voiced opinion. Please note that I am not saying that you (or any other user) is doing this. What I am saying is that I do not wish to see this thread degenerate because of this scenario taking place. I think that the issue of obesity (and it's discussion) deserves better than that.
People of all sizes can eat too much, just because some have fast metabolisms doesn't mean they aren't still abusing their organs internally.
You are quite right: people can still abuse their organs even if they have a fast metabolism. They can also abuse their organs through a number of other things (ex. too much exercise too fast, alcohol, caffeine, drugs, etc.) In my own personal beliefs, I am against putting strain or abuse on the body (or organs).
In closing, I am not passing judgment on the obese population, their lifestyle, or trying to malign them in any way. I am well aware of the challenges that they face to losing weight in a healthy manner, and I am sympathetic to the plight that they face. I honestly don't care what a person's body size is as long as they are healthy. But in my own mind, I don't associate obesity with good health.
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