I hate it when OMGtehfatz gets brought up on sites that have nothing to do with health, wellbeing, realistic conversation re: fat/"overweight"/obesity issues.

There is always correlation brought up about how the po' folks are the fat ones- and invariably, discussion occurs with great circle jerk clucking of tongues about fat people seen at Walmart, with junkfood, at McDonalds, etc.

May I point out a few things? Chiefly, the only reason OMGtehfatz people are remembered for being seen in these scenarios is that the media presents us biggies (usually with accompanied video of the head cropped off- like being fat in public is a crime) as being big eaters (with a big sloppy burger or donut being consumed), lazy (how dare we not belong to a gym to the tune of x hundred dollars/month?!?), etc. Morals about how fat is bad (using up more resources, more expensive health care blablabla) are spit out with each and every diabtribe against us. As is starting to happen here.

Fat people can't be responsibel with their money- if only they'd buy x from the health food store- they'd be thin. Way to generalize.

However, you all are missing the biggest story behind all the recent kerfuffle. A large (no pun intended) portion of those who are considered "overweight" or "obese" are only classified as such because of the government's changing defination of these terms. There probably aren't statistically *that many* more biggies now than there were a decade ago. But- change the defination and BOOM. It's an epidemic. Proceed to running in a circle and wringing your hands. The population is aging. The biggest group- the boomers- is now at the biological age where historically, guess what- a couple more pounds here and there add on and activity lessens. BUT since this generation opts to fight aging (with all the potions, lotions, weekend warrior of it all)at any cost- these pounds are no longer to be expected- they are to be demonized. The medical machine is also seeking to redefine what a heart attack is- wanna debate we will see an "epidemic: of heart attacks if this happens? Must be from the epidemic of fatties!

Who makes the money from more ill "not healthy" people? Big pharma- from making up more pills, books, diet plans, gastric bypass surgery, etc; government- from messing around with statistics, studies they play with in bed with big pharma and medicine, etc.- and of course the food industry- because they can mess around with definations of healthfulness and food products based upon the whim of the day as to what will help folks lose their demon fat.

Might I also add the personal is political when it comes to fat. Look at how the politicians go on about obesity initiative in their platforms. Makes me feel ike I should live life with a small suitcase by the back door- in case I need to escape to Canada before I am shipped of to a camp somewhere (think I am joking- read Paul Campos' latest article- google to find it- there is discussion about "wellness training camps" under way... by some of the ultra righties)

I recommend any *really* interested people to open their eyes a bit more before starting to make moral, snappish judgements on groups of people. I also recommend a site called "Junkfood Science" that debunks 99% of the crap science blown across our headlines about health, wellness, and obesity.

But of course, I will just be discounted by many as a fattie with a chip on my shoulder by a certain number of readers-- and fatties certainly can't know anything about anything if they can't get it as to how be "healthy" (aka "thinner")