Why Skinny People Don't Like Fat People: It's Evolutionary

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Jul 30th 2007 8:29PM

As I sit down to work in the afternoon, I often have the TV blaring away in the background, and while most people would find it impossible to work in such conditions, I don't really like TV (especially daytime TV) so I find it easy to tune out. Over the past few weeks, I've listened with mild amusement to some old episodes of The Dr. Phil House, where opposites are pitted against one another in a blatant attempt at ratings. If you haven't seen it, it's a reality TV-style house that contains a fat guy who hates skinny people and a skinny girl who hates fat people, plus an array of other colorful combinations.

I do have a point here. A study shows that the skinny girl who hates fat people might not just be prejudiced -- it might be an evolved response. According to The Independent in Britain, when a slim person sees an obese person, their immune system is triggered because the brain relates site of the obese person to a fear of infection. Moreover, in a series of questions given to subjects, the people who exhibited disgust toward germs and bad hygiene were more likely to discriminate against someone based on their weight.

But regardless of whether it's a "natural" reaction, discrimination is still wrong, and I think being prejudiced is ultimately a learned behavior. What do you think?

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 33)

Rhio2k 2-17-2008 @ 10:07AM

All the fat people I know got that way cuz they don't give a damn what they eat. Taco Bell, McDonalds, all kinds of deep-fried foods...yeah, I'd say most often, obesity is a choice and shows a considerable lack of discipline.

Ken 6-03-2008 @ 9:34PM

So people need to get their facts straight....

Fat can be considered hereditary i guess because if you're parents don't monitor your diet when you are young, you will never know how to do it when you are of age. If a parent allows a child to become overweight they are failing their child. A child that becomes overweight and still eats "healthy" needs to exercise more or spread out the meals.

What most people don't understand is that it's not just about eating "Healthy". It's more about boosting your metabolism by eating a small breakfast within an hour of waking, spreading your meals out throughout the day so your metabolism can take care of less at a time, and making sure that you are rarely hungry or full. Just cause someone drinks a lot of water, eats little and supposedly exercises does not mean they will loose weight.

Your metabolism is largely and mainly affected by your environment during growth periods such as infancy to elementary school age, and then through adolescence. Those are the most important periods in your life for your health and what you do in those periods will ripple to the rest of you entire life!

It is proven that the people you surround yourself with will most likely affect you in more aspects than you could ever know. This doesn't just include weight, but crime, addictions, sex, etc.

Of course it's harder to loose weight once overweight and suffering from a horrible metabolism. The first step is to realize there is a problem and WANTING to fix it. You can't do anything productive usually without truly believing that you can do it. How many athletes go into a competition believing they aren't going to do well that win something. It is hugely due to the mental state of most people that they continue to be fat.

Being fat is not attractive to most people, that's just normal. Why would rolls upon rolls with sweat and chafing in between be attractive?

Many fat people that aren't satisfied with themselves are more than frustrating to deal with. I find many overweight people to be rude and obnoxious, and very defensive about their situation. Why? If you're not happy with yourself, fix it. I've seen a man skiing, and going off large jumps and landing it better than many I've seen with only one leg. I've seen legless people break dance. Don't you think if quadriplegic people could do anything about their situation at all that they would pass it up. HEll no, if they could physically overcome their situation I'm sure most would attempt it and give it their full heart.

A few questions, How can fat people NOT be slow, I can run 4 miles in the time that some people, not even overweight run 2 miles in, if they can even do that.

I've seen FAT people go through army basic training and actually lose weight. Why do you fat people think that you can't change yourself?

The minute you settle with yourself is the minute you'll never progress any further, so why do that to yourself.

You ignorant fat people disgust me more than...well most things, cause I can't think of something right away that disturbs me more.

Go sue McDonald's some more for MAKING you fat. Go blame us thin people for MAKING you emotionally unstable and become fat. Go walk to your car and back and still keep thinking that it's "exercise". Continue to eat ONLY ONE MEAL in a day and think you're doing your body good (one meal is not a way to loose weight properly). Go visit a McDonald's and look at the percentage of overweight people there and try again to tell me more skinny people stuff their faces there. Wait, go anywhere and count more skinny people than fat people...you make up 66% of the population now. O wait, you'll find more skinny people in the gym, or in the military, or you know...doing something active...DUHHH!

How come Europe and Asia don't have obiesity problems? More meals, less at a time, proper diet, and living a bit more active....

WAKE UP FATTIES....the truth is sitting right in front of you, but you're too fat to bend over and get to it.

Simon 6-29-2008 @ 10:08AM

I hear too many excuses to being fat and too many objections to being called fat. Im overweight. I have no problem with being called fat, because I am. I may not agree with my weight, but I accept it, I acknowledge it and I would be the first to tell you Im fat.

If I go to another fat person and try to have a fattish conversation like "we're both big guys here", people would look down their noses at me as if I've commited a big faux pas.

If you want to see fat as being normal, accept it. Accept being called fat. Accept a description that may not be derogatory in nature.

Objecting to it, makes it sound like "fat" is abnormal. In which case, do something about it.

itsjustme 7-28-2008 @ 10:35AM

It is a sad fact of life that skinny think lowly of fat people, most anyhow. I have been thin for 22 years, and never experienced the prejudice I do now with an extra 100 pounds on myself, some 20 years later....I am on WW and I am doing well...I care bout myself, my health and I dress well and I treat all people kindly, no matter what....it is what jesus would encourage...yet after attending church for my entire life, seeing how all the thinner, and usually more well off ladies treat those who are fat, I left....jesus told me to leave the church and that I had to listen to my heart and stay away from cruel poeple who only mostly go to church to promote theirselves and their business or to fit into their social circle..where I live, if you are not part of two churches around here...your avoided and dispised, I know of a few who actually go, for all the wrong reasons cause they said they did not want to be shunned...such nice good christians huhn? I know I will nott be seeing them when I die...jesus will say he never knew them, cause they had no love in their hearts...

Crabby McSlacker 7-30-2007 @ 9:18PM

It's fascinating to contemplate that some of our prejudices might be biologically based--I suspect there may be some inborn component to racism and homophobia and all kinds of other fears as well. We humans seem to have a bias against anything "different" and see it as "frightening."

However, we have brains that are capable of higher thought. So hopefully, just as we learn we can't punch out the boss when he's a jerk or grab someone else's burger when we are hungry, we learn to ignore split-second "instinctive" judgments that are based on irrational fears and have nothing to do with reality.

And do you think those "experts" who argued that we should stay away from fat people because "obesity is socially contagious" may just be silly victims of their own caveman brains?

http://crankyfitness.blogspot.com/2007/07/obesity-is-socially-contagious.html

mnugghuhx 7-31-2007 @ 11:18AM

I have very few overweight friends. If you surround yourself with over weight people it becomes increasingly difficult to stay in shape yourself. The reason very fat people (people who are slightly overweight, or "pudgy" dont bother me at all) bother me is because it is a direct reflection of their self discipline and morals. If this person does not care about his/her own health, I cant expect them to care about mine. A person who cannot even care for them self cannot possibly gain my respect. The fact that ANY slack is given to these people who blatantly make themselves fat is what really disgusts me.

Tafmi 12-07-2007 @ 8:00PM

You are discusting. People who are over weight, dont choose to be that way. plus its what is in the inside that counts. I would much rather be fat than be like you.

FitClubScott 7-31-2007 @ 11:26AM

Um, well, that's a bit harsh. I don't think that overweight people should be reviled, and what does someone's weight have to do with morality.

I think there are lots of overweight people who fall victim to our culture of instant gratification and just don't realize that losing weight takes time. Jumping from one fad diet to the next is as natural as switching from one brand of toothpaste to the next. If we aren't immediately satisfied with the results, we switch to something else.

The knowledge of how to lose weight is out there. Ask anyone to come up with a fantasy weight loss plan that works every time and anyone can do it. "Well if I eat half of what I currently eat and run 100 miles a week, I'll lose weight." Obviously, few, if any people can do that, but asking the question is a good way of starting the conversation about practical ways to incorporate healthy habits into your life.

http://thefitclub.blogspot.com

AJ 8-03-2007 @ 8:23PM

To the so-called person who wrote THIS:

" I have very few overweight friends. If you surround yourself with over weight people it becomes increasingly difficult to stay in shape yourself. The reason very fat people (people who are slightly overweight, or "pudgy" dont bother me at all) bother me is because it is a direct reflection of their self discipline and morals. If this person does not care about his/her own health, I cant expect them to care about mine. A person who cannot even care for them self cannot possibly gain my respect. The fact that ANY slack is given to these people who blatantly make themselves fat is what really disgusts me."

I say this: YOU ARE A FRICKIN' IDIOT!!!!!! I suppose you think the moon is made of cheese and gay people choose their sexual preference. GROW THE F--K UP!! Large people don't choose to be fat anymore than a zebra chooses to have stripes. Stop being such a blatant, moronic bigot!!

Lisa 8-03-2007 @ 8:31PM

I have a couple family members that are a little over weight. They don't "rub off on me nor have i caught it" i can't understand WHY all these write ups are being done to isolate and cause discrimination against ones who are heavier then some. Instead of doing them HARM, why don't you do studies on the impact skinny, boney people might have on heavy ones if they try to HELP them shed those pounds instead of running away from them in FEAR. Shame on all of you trying to cause more than already had been to discriminate against them.

suki 8-03-2007 @ 8:44PM

"A person who cannot even care for them self cannot possibly gain my respect."

I suppose that quadriplegics are really immoral jackasses in your book.

A good number of overweight people actually suffer from untreated depression and have other issues beyond their weight which make life in general much more difficult for them. Perhaps if people like yourself were more supportive and less judgemental, it might help. Even if it didn't help with that, I am pretty sure the world would be a better place.

Shar911 8-03-2007 @ 8:48PM

I find it interesting that people that do not fight the weight game are so easy to critisize. Trust me, your Karma is coming. How about warts??

MK 8-03-2007 @ 8:48PM

I was never overweight until I endured an accident that made me unable to exercise regularly; then the pounds started to accumulate. I'm now trying to take them off, but I've seen that people treat me differently with my extra weight, and it's not pleasant. Yes, there's no question that there's discrimination, and it's not always that a person "let himself go" that's the reason. I know that I'll feel a lot better once I'm back to my former weight, and I'll work to keep it off as well, but I have to sympathize with those people who are prisoners in their own bodies; it's no fun. I have to add that I'm 55; that makes it even harder to do it, but that's not stopping me.

sarah 8-06-2007 @ 2:13AM

To the comment from mnugg- you are about the most ignorant person I have ever encountered in my life. I CAN'T stand people who make comments like that--you must be PERFECT right. There are numerous REASONS why people are obese, overweight, fat whatever you want to call it. AND no I DON'T believe in excuses. I believe in a thing called PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. No one holds a gun to your head,telling you they will kill you if you don't eat all the ho-hos. But please stop making assumptions people- some of my Skinny/skinnier friends are the most unhealthy people. They eat fast food- EVERYDAY all day long, rarely exercise if at all, probably don't even know what fruits and veggies even LOOK like. While I NEVER eat fast food, walk (power walk is more like it) as much as I can, eat lots of fruits and veggies EVERYDAY, drink plenty of water and have CUT back on soda and alcohol. SO far I have lost 20 lbs and am motivated to lose more by next summer. I am going for long term weight loss, not a quick fix. So please the next time you see a heavy person DON'T assume they NEVER exercise or eat all the time. In other words stop judging a book by its cover. When I see a thin person I don't assume they suffer from an eating disorder so please stop assuming that ALL big people are lazy and eat everything they see!

Rose 8-03-2007 @ 8:59PM

I,m simply amazed that some people can be so ignorant . Do you think fat people get up in the morning and say to themselves , " yes , today I want people to look at me like I was a dog , I want them to treat me with no respect , even if I have done nothing to deserve it , I want to be judged by my clothes because there are few good looking clothes out there for fat people " Oh Sure ! All of these and more .
You put in 53 years of being treated like you have the plague and see if you can come up with a different veiw . I have done it all , Gastroplasty , gastric by pass, Got addicted to amphetimines and barbituates, from a doctor and still I fight this damn weight .
No dicipline ? You can,t say that , because you have never been there . Out of 13 brothers and sisters only one doesn,t have a weight problem . Both my parents did . So when you think about fat people , think about how hard their lifes really are due to ingorant people who don,t kow what they are talking about . Do me a favor --Walk a mile in my shoes.

Sang 8-03-2007 @ 9:33PM

I, too, am amazed at the ignorance. I am 350 pounds, and it is not because I'm lazy or lack morals. I couldn't tell you how many years its been since I had a "ho-ho"! I eat fruits and veggies, rarely eat red meat, salads regularly, rarely drink soda pop, drink water like crazy, eat little sugar and eat whole grains when I DO eat grains. I have 2 little kids that keep me busy running and very active. I have low to average blood pressure, my cholesterol is super-low, no diabetes, great HDL... in other words, healthy. You CAN be obese AND healthy! I would certainly love to be more active than I am, and as soon as someone can figure out WHY the heck I'm so fat, maybe I can be. For now, I limit my soccer, chase games, walking and jogging, keep eating healthy and hope for the best. Maybe you folks should try living in a fat person's body for a while before passing judgement.

Lynn 8-03-2007 @ 9:43PM

When food was scarcer, fatter people, especially fatter women, were admired. It showed you had wealth. It was also a sign (maybe inaccurate) of health--at least you weren't starving. Also a fatter woman would have reserves for a pregnancy and nursing, in case of famine. We are genetically programmed to respond to signs of health, especially in the search for a mate to bear our children or to bring home food for the family. Today, fatter people may have reached that state through lack of exercise or eating junk food--neither of which was likely 1000 years ago. Famine is uncommon, so women don't need to store as much fat, and they don't have as many children. So the healthier people, in general, have access to higher quality food, gyms, and education; they are not fat. Times have changed, but we're still looking for healthy mates and friends.

prettyfatgirl 8-03-2007 @ 9:41PM

I'm a fat girl with a pretty face and see people look down on me all the time. It's pretty pathetic. I hear people say all the time, "You're SO pretty if only you would lose some weight, you'd be SEXY!" I don't stuff my face. My skinny little sister stuffs her face with McDonald's while I eat salads and grilled chicken. I also exercise regularly and drink plenty of water. But I'm still overweight. I have hypothyroidism and just discovered this recently. I'm now taking Armorthyroid and a diuretic to help control my problems. People need to stop being so judgmental. =)

A 8-03-2007 @ 9:40PM

Here is another thing to consider.
Maybe "skinny" people react badly to "fat" people because they are obviously out-competing them for resources.
Larger people are obviously getting more calories. The disease fear might be logical when related to morbidly obese people (in cases where moving, walking or breathing are not easy), but it seems a tad biased against the "padded" people. I wonder if the study tested the reaction of "fat" people's immune response to those who are "skinny" or underweight. I think being severely underweight would be a definite marker for wasting diseases, cancer and general malnutrition.

Amy 8-03-2007 @ 9:44PM

This article is just crap. A hundred years ago, women were ashamed if they were thin. They wanted to look plump and healthy and attract men with a round figure. Evolution, my foot. This whole backlash is just ridiculous. "Fat is contagious", "skinny people are predisposed to hate fat people"...it's just a way to instill fear. Fat people are learning to love themselves and it drives the diet industry nuts.

Do some research and find out who's funding these so-called "studies."