Prejudice and Obesity - Have You Been a Victim?

It's a sad comment on human nature that prejudice and obesity go hand in hand. Ask any person who has battled with obesity and they'll be able to reel off a list of examples.

It begins at school, where some children have a knack of singling out anyone who's different from the rest for bullying and taunting. Children who are more overweight than their classmates are easy targets.

If they also happen to be of a different ethnic background from the majority of their classmates, their lives can become especially unpleasant.

Sadly, this attitude does not end when the child leaves school. Research has shown that prejudice and obesity is very much a fact of life in the workplace.

--The Sad Story of Mr X--

In a society obsessed with unrealistic ideals of how we should look, overweight job applicants have an especially tough time breaking into the job market. A typical story of prejudice and obesity in the workplace goes like this...

Mr X applies in writing for a job. The company replies positively to his letter by asking for a more detailed resume.

Then, Mr X receives an enthusiastic phone call asking him to come in for an interview. It's clear from the tone of the call and various other hints dropped by the caller that the interview is really just a formality, that Mr X is clearly the best qualified candidate.

But all this changes come the day of the interview. The members of the interview panel refuse to meet Mr X's eye. The questions they ask are cursory. They shuffle and fidget when he speaks. It's obvious they're simply going through the motions.

When he leaves they shake his hand and thank him with enthusiasm bordering on relief. A week later he receives a form letter in the mail regretfully informing him that he was unsuccessful in his application.

Mr X is not surprised. He's gone through this charade a dozen times before.

Prejudice and obesity have an even more unpleasant face when they're paired with ethnic stereotypes - the grown up version of schoolyard taunts.

We've all heard the jokes about women of certain ethnic backgrounds ballooning after they've had children. They're mild compared to some of the other, supposedly funny, stories doing the rounds.

You can help to lift the lid on the scourge of obesity related prejudice.

Were you bullied as a child because you were overweight? Have you experienced prejudice in the workplace? Have you been the butt of an ethnic/obesity related joke? Or perhaps you've got an inspiring story about how you've overcome negative perceptions. Maybe you're a counsellor or website publisher with important insights. Visit http://www.obesitycures.com/prejudice- and-obesity.html and share your experience or advice. You could make a difference.

Alan Cooper is a journalist with 20 year's experience and the publisher of ObesityCures.com, a site with the ambitious aim of being a "one-stop-shop" for impartial information on obesity and weight loss solutions - including fad diets, prescription weightloss pills and natural weightloss aids.

---

Changing Your Eating Habits

We are bombarded with advertisements pushing delicious looking, fat filled,... Read More

Overweight - Control Your Eating Habits

Weighing more than is normal, necessary, or allowed, especially having... Read More

How To Find Your Ideal Body Weight

A calorie is the unit used to measure the energy... Read More

LA Weight Loss Secrets ? High Profile Personal Trainer Shares the Magic Formula!

In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More

Preventing Overweight and Obesity ? Are You Responsible Enough?

Obesity is now assuming epidemic proportions. Worldwide there are over... Read More

Fat Loss Exercise Strategies

How many calories you consume has a big impact on... Read More

Are You Controlled by the Urge to Splurge

I gotta confess: I'm completely addicted to crisps. Any kind... Read More

You Dont Have to Stop Eating Out Because You Are On Diet

Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More

Weight Loss the Easy Way!

With weight loss comes a lot of dedication and change... Read More

Five Reasons NOT To Lose Weight

We are inundated by exhortations to lose weight - from... Read More

Weight Loss Benefits of Massage

There is no question that having a massage makes you... Read More

Dieting? More is Not Better

Exercising too hardThis is probably the most common mistake. As... Read More

The Carbs Go In, the Cravings Come Out, thats What Weight Gain is All About

It can happen with one bite. The moment those refined... Read More

The Effect Of A Low Carb Diet On Your Insulin Level

The underlying principles of low carb diets are based on... Read More

How to Exercise and Lose Weight on a Busy Schedule

In my fitness consulting business, I get the opportunity to... Read More

1-2-3, Weight Loss & Maintenance Has Become So Easy

Millions of people spend billions of dollars, hoping to achieve... Read More

Weight Loss and Dieting Secrets ? What You DONT Want to Know!

Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More

Burn Fat Not Sugar!

You are going to be pleasantly surprised! Most people think... Read More

Losing Weight is Like Eating Ice Cream

"Life is like a box of chocolates," drawled Forrest Gump.Metaphors... Read More

How Do I Begin A Fat Loss Plan?... Let Me Count The Ways!

Most people are unsure about how to begin a fat... Read More

Healthy Diet Answers: Want Fries With That Mister ?

Yes, my healthy diet has at times suffered at the... Read More

Gene?s Diet Plan

Hot dang! If a few hundred other folks can peddle... Read More

The 7 Phases of Change

Lose The Weight For Good With The Seven Phases of... Read More

Was The Ephedra Ban Really a Success?

Ephedra and Ephedrine consumers are still under the assumption that... Read More

Low-Carb Diets - An Introduction

According to a recent survey by the National Health Institute,... Read More

Fake Weight Loss Claims: Identify Them

Its crowded..really crowded..every other site offers Weight Loss Programs and... Read More

Low Carb and Lowfat Diets...A Scam?!

If anyone knows anything about fitness, it's that a low... Read More

It?s Not Just About Dieting

You may not like what I'm about to say, but... Read More

Starbucks and Kicking Bad Habits

Many of enjoy sitting down at Starbucks and enjoying a... Read More

Low Carb Intelligence vs. Low Carb Stupidity

Remember that movie with Jim Carey, "Dumb and Dumber?" And... Read More

Its All In The Numbers

Offer a woman the choice between a dress she likes... Read More

The Hidden Truth About Diets

Quick, what's the first thought that pops into your head... Read More

Surviving Glycemic Diets (Ketogenic, Low-Carb or Atkins):

1.The first step to living a Glycemic Diet Lifestyle is... Read More