Obesity: The Next Protected Class

[Catracks 865]

So is this OK?

http://www.texastrib...-obese-workers/

Like I said, it's one of the reasons besides health that I got WLS. Many doors are closed to me. I had a chance to be in a TV show produced by a friend of mine, but in reality there was no part for me as big as I was. No costume would fit me. Should I sue him?

Being obese is a factor against people for real reasons.

Then again, there is a certain right to privacy. What happens if employers start dictating what you can eat and your participation in dangerous sports? In some industries they already do that. When making movies, insurance companies do not let actors engage in anything that might put the movie at risk. Models cannot eat themselves out of the clothing they need to wear.

[Catracks 865]

You don't see the irony in the "no one shoved a twinkie down your throat" comment coming from someone who had 80%+ of their stomach removed to lose weight?

The issue isn't free speech. It is whether or not an employer has the right to discriminate against you because of your size. If you are capable of doing your job, as many of you were prior to surgery, then why should you risk getting fired because you get a new boss who decides they don't like fat people? In an ideal world you get the job because you have the skills and abilities to do it.

That's just the point. We CAN do something about being obese, We are doing it. Granted our way is a bit more drastic than some, but still hard work. People cannot change race, sex (well not really) or change something like being paraplegic.

I could do my job prior to surgery, but I'm more productive now that I can actually sleep.

[missmeow 156]

That's just the point. We CAN do something about being obese, We are doing it. Granted our way is a bit more drastic than some, but still hard work. People cannot change race, sex (well not really) or change something like being paraplegic.

I could do my job prior to surgery, but I'm more productive now that I can actually sleep.

Removing a large portion of your stomach is extreme and comes with potential health hazzards of its own. Having to go the extreme of injury to healthy organ tissue and a diet of under 1000 calories just to mobilize fat loss that would happen in a normal sized person with moderate diet and exercise changes should be indication of how complex obesity is phisiologically. Even with surgery, long term results are not 100% for weight loss even at the 50% EWL mark, especially when you look at all bariatric surgery historically. Not everyone is willing or wants to do that or can do that due to their health, finances, personal beliefs, etc.

You can change your sex with surgery too. You can also modify your looks with surgery, makeup, and hair dye enough to be seen as another race. Religion is a protected class and it is completely voluntary so saying "you can change being fat" does not really hold Water, especially when diets fail 95% of the time.

My point is that saying "those fatties can stop eating" when you were unable to do so is buying into the exact line of thinking of the discriminators. Someone should not be forced into surgery in order to get a job or keep a job. Obesity, particularly morbid obesity, is a much more complex phisiological issue than just someone eating twinkies all day. You as a fat person should know better.

[Cobrargc 25]

CONGRATS! How is everything going? Have you lost 9 lbs in pre-opt or is it post op?

I really need to update my ticker. I'm not a friend of the scale and haven't been on it for a few weeks, but at last check I was down about 40lbs. Thanks for asking.

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

40 lbs is fantastic! That is an accomplishment! Keep Rockin your Sleeve!

[Cobrargc 25]

So is this OK?

http://www.texastrib...-obese-workers/

Good story! I see both sides of the issue. Nobody wants to see more laws. I’m included in this group. At the same time the "health police" out there trying to pressure McDonalds to stop selling Happy Meals. A school recently would not allow a student to eat the "brown bag" lunch that his mother made for him because it didn't meet the schools standards of nutrition. It's getting crazy out there and overweight people might want to be prepared for what's coming down the pike some day.

[Catracks 865]

Someone should not be forced into surgery in order to get a job or keep a job. Obesity, particularly morbid obesity, is a much more complex phisiological issue than just someone eating twinkies all day. You as a fat person should know better.

I never made any comment about "Twinkie stuffing" as as a fat person I know how much more productive I am and how much less sick time I take.

When I was in the military there absolutely was a weight and fitness standard. They started throwing overweight people out that just could not handle the job anymore.

Like another poster, I can see both sides. I don't like intrusive laws. I am part libertarian in that way. I don't see forcing a business to hire someone that they feel is not right for the job.

Shall we social engineer the world to death? The fact is that we as humans put a lot of stock in appearance. Fit people may not be the best choice for the job, but on a psychological level a person that is: younger, fitter, thinner, has more hair, and/or is more aesthetically pleasing comes across better in an interview and is perceived to be a better worker.

On this forum we talk about how people perceive us differently when we lose weight. Hell, I'm still obese, but men are starting to flirt and I get noticed by sales people. I used to be invisible.

Yes, it sucks. Changing the laws will not change millions of years of evolution and I do indeed think an employer has the right to choose without being forced.

Oh, and I do see the writing on the wall. Just like smoking, obesity is going to have some real penalties in the way of super increased insurance costs and woe to the person that gets "free" health care. Their food intake and weight will probably be forcibly monitored.

Too bad I still smoke. The commercials in California tell me that I kill babies.

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Can this be paranoia at it's finest? Why is there so much energy focusing on this topic? I will not waste my energy even considering this. This is enough. Let's try to enjoy every day that we have without worrying about something that might never happen.

[Catracks 865]

Well this was the topic of the discussion and it is just a discussion. What's going on is very real and I think it should be talked out by the weight loss community and the Obesity Action Coalition.

This is already impacting people. Apparently people are losing their jobs and not being hired NOW. Government is already getting involved in what restaurant can and cannot sell. Why on earth would you call more expensive insurance premiums "paranoia." It's already happening. As for the government forcing the issue of weight loss when I've already been the victim of it. -- well, nice to know that I shouldn't worry about ... what was I talking about? La-la-la-la-la-la, can't hear you while my head is in the sand, clouds, whatever.

BTW, I am happy, but prepared.

BTW, you do not need to participate in a thread that makes you uncomfortable.

[Catracks 865]

Here is a tidbit from the paranoid one:

Lawmakers seek to crack down on junk food as obesity epidemic worsens

By Chuck Lindell

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Published: 7:27 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2011

An epidemic of obesity, bringing higher medical costs and shorter life spans, has prompted a diverse mix of Texas legislators to target junk food and sugary sodas as enemies in the battle of the bulge.

One House measure would ban food stamp users from buying Cookies, candy and "sweetened beverages" with their Lone Star cards.

Two other bills call on the federal government to restrict or eliminate low-nutrition items from food stamp purchases.

And measures in both houses would add a penny tax per ounce of soda with the twin goals of reducing consumption and raising $500 million to $2 billion a year — estimates vary — for a state budget strained by a massive shortfall.

"These are very basic things people can live without and are better off without," said Rep. Richard Peña Raymond, D-Laredo, author of the bill to ban the use of food stamps for potato and corn chips, candy, Cookies and soda.

http://www.statesman...?printArticle=y

Wow. A lawmaker thinks we should be living without that stuff. Granted it is for food stamp recipients in Texas, but who would thing the government would seek to control what anyone eats? Since it is their dime, they believe they can. Government health care is on their (well our) dime too. Texas is not the only place this is going on either. It's pretty widespread.

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Cataracks ~ you are hilarious! I love it. Thank you so much for your insight.

[Catracks 865]

Dorrie