Fat Shaming..Whats That? -Fighting Obesity

What is Fat Shaming?

Fat shaming is any act, deed, remark or gesture that makes someone who has a weight problem feel uncomfortable, unhappy and guilty about her weight. This may be done by anyone whom she is in contact with whether spouse, friends, family or acquaintances with a desire to motivate her to lose weight but usually acts to the contrary.

For Example:

All the patients with obesity issues usually follow a similar pattern. Feeling ashamed and guilty makes them unhappy and depressed and in turn high calorie foods make them feel better transiently and the weight piles on. It becomes just like an addiction when you know you shouldn't be doing it but you still end up doing and a vicious cycle of guilt and feeling low starts.

A prototype case I remember is of a 30 year old just married woman who migrated to US with her husband. After marriage she was finding it difficult to adjust to the American setting. Being slightly overweight her husband would pass snide remarks about her weight and keep pushing her to hit the gym. Gradually she began to be more and more irritable, sad and would spend long hours watching TV and eating large portions of food while watching TV. At night she would not be able to sleep well and would run through the refrigerator looking for a pastry or scoop of ice cream.. soon the kilos added up and her relationship with her husband began to sour and that is when she decided to return to India and seek help...

When I saw her she was clinically depressed and had started using food as her anti-depressant and her mode to feel better.

After extensive supportive as well as rational emotive behaviour therapy and active involvement of the husband now she is back in the US, found herself a job and leading a healthy life.