I was watching a popular morning program today and there was two overweight ladies explaining how they want abuse against people being obese as an official hate crime. They said overweight people should have more rights and more allowances for them being bigger. Such as, they were very pleased some cinemas have big seats for bigger people. The presenter said he was playing devils advocate and that a family who aren't very good with their eating habits may give the impression to their children that healthy eating isn't that important as allowances will be made for them such as bigger cinema seats. The ladies explained they should have the same rights as anyone, that they could be compared to tall people and the same could be said for them.

IMO tall people is most definitely not the same as overweight people. I know some overweight people cannot help being overweight due to medical problems but tall people never choose to be tall. They have been made this way and have no choice in the matter. So I did think this was a bad example to use.

I think it's awful someone would be physically attacked for being overweight and something should be done about it but sometimes there's a general feeling that being overweight is 'normal' and should be allowed. Also to make allowances for bigger people. In a way I think it may give out the impression that it's fine to be overweight but obviously there is big health risks with being overweight and sometimes these seem forgotten amidst all the people wanting to validate their size and the acceptance of being overweight.

Sorry about the title again! I never seem to get it exactly right but I blame it on the letter limit :]

Co-CL on Mum's Club December 2008 & Great Debates

Hi - Just a quick one

I agree with you that obesity is something that can be controlled (up to a point - there may be medication/medical issues etc that can cause obesity I would imagine). No one should have to suffer abuse for their physical features whether it's for weight or not.

Liz

It isn't a hate crime, there is about as much hate involved in calling someone ugly but that would never be considered a hate crime. If we keep on the path of protecting each individual from something being sad nasty against them we'll end up in a world where we won't even be able to criticise. Assaulting someone for being over weight will be covered by the law anyway, this just seems unnecessary.

Also I would say that a lot of people are obese through their own doing, not because of a medical condition which I accept is possible but I think the numbers are much lower than that of self caused obesity.