‘Fat’ is not always an offensive word

The word ‘fat’ has always been considered offensive and I have never understood why. Especially because the word ‘thin’ which is it’s direct opposite isn’t. To me both words are simply descriptive. But when describing a fat person, people come up with creative ways to do so. Like she’s on the large side or she’s plus sized, but when people refer to a skinny person, no one goes through any wahala, skinny is skinny.

I’m not saying the word cannot be used in an offensive manner though. If someone calls you fat in a condescending tone, then that’s obviously offensive. But you can’t hide under the umbrella of being fat shamed whenever someone points out the fact that you are at an unhealthy weight.

It’s funny how, calling a person too fat is supposedly offensive, but calling a person too thin isn’t. Telling a fat person to lose some weight is insensitive but telling a skinny person to gain some is considered solid advice. The truth is calling a person too fat or too thin shouldn’t be offensive when the people are just that.

 

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I understand fat shaming and the fact that a fat person will always be picked on more than a thin person. But the fact remains that when you are at a certain weight, whether or not people point it out, you are open to several life threatening diseases that come with being overweight. The most important question you need to ask yourself regardless of whatever your weight might be is whether or not you are healthy.  If you are overweight, then it’s time you started making some changes, but if you are not, keep being your fabulous self.

If you don’t know at what point you could be considered overweight, (or even underweight), use this chart to check it out.

body-mass-index-chart

 

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